Postcard from J. D. Smith to George Pendexter with a note that says "hope these cards interest you" on the back. The photo on the reverse side shows the ruins of the Burdick House after a fire burned it down on December 9, 1909 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The building is almost completely destroyed, most of the area is covered in smoke while three firemen are standing in a ground talking together.

Postcard of the Kalamazoo Fire Department. The fire fighters are lined up in five ascending rows up the front stairs of a building. Two men are sitting in chairs centered in front of the five rows. On the back of the postcard, the sender has left a hand written message.

Postcard from J. D. Smith to George Pendexter with a photograph of "the Fire" taking place in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This is the fire that burnt down the Burdick House on December 9, 1909; this picture shows the fire at three A. M. Almost all of the front wall of the building has been destroyed, most of the other walls have been totally wiped out.

Postcard from J. D. Smith to George Pendexter with a photograph showing the "Grand Rapids Fire Engine at Burdick House Fire Kalamazoo, Mich." There is also a note on the back written by Smith detailing his arrival to Grand Rapids. The photograph shows the fire engine parked outside of a building with men standing around it; the wagon has a large steamer engine.

Postcard from J. D. Smith to George Pendexter with a photograph of the "Battle Creek Fire Engine at Kalamazoo, Mich. Dec. 9-1909 Burdick House Fire." Smith says that "Battle Creek was called at 12:50 A. M. at 2 A. M. we were there with our Engine Hose wagon." The photograph shows the fire engine parked on a street with hoses hooked up to it; there are firemen working on the fire and with their fire engine. Another caption on the photograph says that it was "6 below zero" while they were working on the fire.

Postcard from J. D. Smith to George Pendexter with a photograph of the Burdick House prior to the fire that burned it down. The note on the back of the card reads: "Started here in [the] basement and burned the entire block about $850,000 fire." This photograph shows the building intact with people walking underneath the awnings on the sidewalk; the caption on the photo reads: "Burdick House Kalamazoo, Mich., Burned - Dec. 9-1909."

Postcard from J. D. Smith to George Pendexter with a photograph showing the destruction of the Burdick House on the "Morning of Dec. 9-1909. Kalamazoo, Mich." The photograph shows the massive damage to the front wall of the building as it has been burned down by a fire; there are firemen holding a large hose trying to put out the fire.

Postcard from J. D. Smith to George Pendexter with a note saying: "Just of Hotel Lobby and Arcade all gone now." The photo on the reverse side of the card shows the lobby and arcade inside of the Burdick House in Kalamazoo, Michigan; after the fire on December 9, 1909 all of this was totally destroyed.