Ever wondered what downtown Cedartown looked like in the 1950s? How about the late 1800s? Those interested in viewing Cedartown’s past can now view the many postcards now on display at the Polk County Historical Society, located on 205 North College St.

In honor of Cedartown’s 150 year anniversary, resident Jim Lankford has teamed with the Historical Society to display his collection of postcards that date back as far as the 1870s. The small cards have been enlarged, framed and are now on exhibition in an art gallery style display in the lower level of the Historical Society.

Several of the cards feature the original messages that were written on them inscribed underneath the postcards for easy viewing.

Titled Cedartown: 150 Years in Photographs, the gallery features numerous postcards from Lankford’s large collection that he said he has been accumulating for 30 years. Cedartown resident Donnie Jarrell donated an additional photo.

A self-described history enthusiast, Lankford said he is especially interested in old photographs.

“I’ve always been into old photographs. You can see what was really there and what has been torn down.”

Lankford’s wife Jean explained that he acquired his collection over the years by attending various antique shows and that many of them are now considered collectors’ items.

“Cards we paid five dollars for are $100 now,” she said.

Many of the postcards were dated according to information in the picture, he said, citing the oldest postcard in the gallery as an example.

The photo on this particular card shows a dirt road leading to a blacksmith shop, surrounded by various other stores and street signs. Because of the card’s age, only the sign on the blacksmith shop is legible, which features the owner’s name.

Lankford said he was able to trace the owner’s date of birth and death and make an educated guess as to what year he owned the shop.

A love of old photographs is not the only thing that inspired Lankford to create the gallery, though. He said his desire to see Cedartown’s 150th birthday properly celebrated played a part as well.

According to Lankford, a much bigger spectacle was made of Cedartown’s 100th birthday, which he fondly remembers taking part in when he was an adolescent.

“I thought we needed something,” he said of his contribution.

Admission to the gallery is free of charge and is open during regular Historical Society hours – Wednesday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the last Sunday of each month, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Lankford said special arrangements could be made to open the gallery for groups wishing to view it.

The Historical Society is currently selling replicas of some of the postcards, as well as special 150th anniversary collectors knives.