Postcard publishers had plenty to work with in the Boston area at the beginning of the 20th century, the heyday of the American postcard. The Boston Harbor Islands offered romantic scenery with their stunning natural features, historic lighthouses, and majestic coastal artillery forts. Picturesque summer destinations like Hull and Revere offered everything from sandy beaches to raucous amusement parks to grand hotels. Even the working waterfront in Boston, Quincy's Fore River Shipyard, and quiet Hingham Harbor provided excellent postcard imagery, scenes to be sent home with a "wish you were here" message on the back.