Ot-would you like to go back to a slower time?

[JIPJOBXX]

YEP IT WAS ALOT SIMPLER BACK IN THE 50'S AND NOT A BIG RUSH TO GET IN AND OUT! LOVED THOSE OLD PLACES WHERE ONE COULD SIT DOWN AND PLAY A TUNE ON A LITTLE JUKE BOOK ON THE COUNTER AND IF YOU WERE LUCKY YOU MIGHT EVEN HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY A BANNA SPLIT!

[DCurrent]

You know, I often feel as if I was born 60 years too late! I was born in 75 and it seems my pasion and interests all lie in the 40s and 50s time frame. Sometimes I wonder why I enjoy that period so much compared to now. I'm sure the man upstairs has a plan for me, but I just don't know if its coming, I'm in it, or it's already been. I have watched Pickers while in the garage all day today working on a side job and just froth at the mouth when I see the things they find.

I remember when the movie "Back to the Future" came out, and I wanted so very bad for that to happen to me even 20 years ago. Then I wake up and realize there is no way! Many of you fellas were lucky in my opinion to have lived back then. But then many of you would probly say I'm the lucky one to live during this period with the internet, cell phone, tv, and $5.00 a gallon gas! LOL

I dunno! I would give just about anything to get a taste of that era!

Darren

[TodFitch]

While I sometimes think that I'd have been pretty good in an era when a "jack of all trades" was possible I have to admit I was pretty lucky to be born when I was: I discovered I had the knack for computer programming and that in general it is more like playing than work. So I've been paid to play for nearly 40 years. Sure beats working for a living. I get the "jack of all trades" thing out of my system by working on the old car where an incredible number of different skills are needed if you don't want to drop your bank account off at the pros.

Regarding that menu image. There is "Rev F-60" on the bottom so I would guess that menu is from 1960. As for the $0.39 banana split, according to the CPI calculator at http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm that is about $3.00 today. Woolworth was your low end retail so it probably wasn't the best banana split available. I don't see banana splits on the Internet menus for the equivalent Target today but I did find that a "low end" place like Dairy Queen the price is around $3.99 http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_does_a_Dairy_Queen_Banana_Split_cost So the relative prices are not all that different. The big difference is that back in 1960 a lot more of the money in the economy went to working stiffs and less to bankers so the for the average Joe it was probably more affordable back then.

[randroid]

JIPJOBXX,

Lady Lynn worked at Woolworth's, although a little later than when that menu was in use, and said that when she was there liver was a big seller at their counters. My grandfather ate liver so I was determined to be able to choke it down and eventually learned to enjoy it but I will say that the first few times I ate it the ratio of bacon and onions to liver was about 20:1. Lynn won't allow "that foul garbage" in the house but she can be tolerant with me at times, especially when I make some strange postings on the HAMB after I forget to take my meds, so I might be able to get away with having liver again someday.

-Randy

[Greenbomb]

I grew up in the fifties, so all I have is a kid's perspective. Which was great! I, too, sometimes wish I could go back to the 30s/40s. It seems like it would have been a more "personal" time, if that makes sense. BUT- when i was laying on the table having stents put in my heart, I was VERY glad it was 2004 instead of 1944!!! Can't have it both ways, i guess!

[Plymouthy Adams]

send me back..however...I want to retain my retirement situation as it is today and of course drop the years off my tired ole body..do that, then deal me in..

[Tom Skinner]

When we were done eating lunch at the Woolworth Lunch Counter, we would go over and buy some coins. Yes they sold collector coins then also.

I remember fondly buying all my 1880's Indian Head Pennies in Very fine condition from them in the mid 1960's. Of course a $4.50 Indian Penny then now sells for $45-$85. I remember gas was 23 cents a gallon at the Esso Station then also. A pack of Chesterfield Regulars was 23 cents also.

Count me in I would go back in a heart beat. LOL:)

Tom

[T120]

...Ah yes,the cars and when young ladies dressed a little more,shall we say modestly,yet feminine and no Dr. Martens

[PatS....]

I remember our downtown Woolworth's, SSKresge and a couple of others had lunch counters...no tables, just the big U shaped counters with red covered stools. They were always packed at lunchtime and on Saturdays.

That was when downtown was busy and has character. Now it's just a deserted concrete jungle where I never go.

[Mark D]

I was born in '65, and I was fortunate to have parents that loved music. My ears where exposed to everything. My grandparents all grew up in the depression years, and I spent many years picking their brains before they passed on for the life experiences that they had in the 30's and 40's. I have a strong affinity for those two decades and would almost swear that I've lived it. If reincarnation exists, I could explain the affinity I guess.

I spent the day in the garage working on my car. My iPod was playing loudly all day. The ink-spots and any thing else vintage. Neighbors think I'm insane I guess.

[Don Coatney]

My mother would never buy banannas in 1960 if the cost was over ten cents a pound. I always dreded going shopping with my mother for back to school clothes in the 50's. This was a once a year thing as she would buy me and my sister a years worth of clothes with one shopping trip downtown. Highlight of those shopping trips was lunch at Wollworths. Usually had a toasted cheese sandwich and a milk shake all for about fifty cents.

Fast forward to 1968. First new car I bought was a Plymouth Roadrunner with a 383/4 speed, roll up windows, no power anything except the very powerful engine. Cost was less than three grand tax and title included. I would go back just to buy another new Roadrunner at that price.

Edited March 26, 2012 by Don Coatney

[Robert Horne]

Back then, your car stayed dirty because of the dirt roads.

About anyone you knew could be found at the local gas station, ice cream shop, or pool hall.

Most people went by a nickname.

The car you drove was the only family vehicle.

Eight out of ten high school boys could tune a car's engine,

and four out of ten could rebuild that engine.

[55 Fargo]

My mother would never buy banannas in 1960 if the cost was over ten cents a pound. I always dreded going shopping with my mother for back to school clothes in the 50's. This was a once a year thing as she would buy me and my sister a years worth of clothes with one shopping trip downtown. Highlight of those shopping trips was lunch at Wollworths. Usually had a toasted cheese sandwich and a milk shake all for about fifty cents.

Fast forward to 1968. First new car I bought was a Plymouth Roadrunner with a 383/4 speed, roll up windows, no power anything. Cost was less than three grand tax and title included. I would go back just to buy another new Roadrunner at that price.

Now that car would be worth a few bucks today, My Dad bought a brand new 68 Old Vista Cruiser that wagon cost 5 grand, a lot of money it seemed in 68...I still remember going to pick it up at the dealers...

[Bingster]

I was born in '53 and have always had a special attraction for the forties - especially the war years - and now the thirties as well. I love Art Deco & Streamline Moderne which flourished in those two decades.

Of course, my father-in-law went to war in Italy and it's easy for me to view those years with rose colored glasses having not had to fight.

However, our country was far more united back then and we've slid a long way down since. I agree with the above comment about the way girls dress today, too. Yeah, what normal guy doesn't like to see some skin, but it has hurt us morally. Everything today is in your face, no pun intended.

And, you talk about Walgreens and such. . .

Back then black people couldn't eat at many such lunch counters, and our country was very prejudiced. So you can't have all things at the same time.

I am very glad to have caught the tail end of the great actors, singers, comedians, etc. from my folks era. You'll never have another Peck, Stewart, Sinatra, Lucy, Hope, and on and on. They were raised in their own times that made them who they were, and the young pack today have been raised in a very watered down social climate.

And I think architecture today and consumer styling in general has also been watered down to such a point that people accept Wal-Mart crap from overseas and have no real concept of real craftsmanship. Of course, when I was a kid, Made in Japan had a bad reputation, but today we have come to see Japaneese items as being superior to China or Korea or Malaysia or wherever.

All in all, I'd go for the innocence of Leave It To Beaver over any of the TV shows today. I could go on but you all know what I'm talking about.

I love working on my '47 Desoto because it is the real deal. It was designed, built and driven by 1940's human beings with a level of value, creativity and craftsmanship - and yes, innocence - that is lacking today. Hey, I really like my 2007 Chrysler 300 - it's a well built and thought out car - but the simplicity and styling of our classic cars represented part of the evolution from horse drawn carriages to the auomobile. Whenever things are evolving I think they are more exciting than when they reach their peak and go the other way.

Like The Beatles. Their spirit and energy came bursting through their music in their earlier years, but by the time the buzz of their fame had worn off, as George Harrison put it, it wasn't fun anymore and they eventually disintegrated. But while they were evolving their albums got better and better until they peaked.

So today it's all been done, and everything seems to be a poor rehash of the 30's-50's. They call it Retro. Why are antique shops and oldies stations so popular? We like to hang on to the past because I think people are attracted to another time when we were innocent and happy with basic needs.

Sorry for the sermon!

[thrashingcows]

You know, I often feel as if I was born 60 years too late! I was born in 75 and it seems my pasion and interests all lie in the 40s and 50s time frame. Sometimes I wonder why I enjoy that period so much compared to now. I'm sure the man upstairs has a plan for me, but I just don't know if its coming, I'm in it, or it's already been. I have watched Pickers while in the garage all day today working on a side job and just froth at the mouth when I see the things they find.

I remember when the movie "Back to the Future" came out, and I wanted so very bad for that to happen to me even 20 years ago. Then I wake up and realize there is no way! Many of you fellas were lucky in my opinion to have lived back then. But then many of you would probly say I'm the lucky one to live during this period with the internet, cell phone, tv, and $5.00 a gallon gas! LOL

I dunno! I would give just about anything to get a taste of that era!

Darren

Thank you Darren...you summed up my thoughts exactly...although I was born in 1974...

[JIPJOBXX]

My true thoughts of being born in the early 40's and seeing the first TVs 9" round screen to the 60's which ended in generation of love and discontent. I always tell people that I was and still am a product of the depression as that was the way we were brought up. I was not around for my dads first house in California but it was Chicken Coup and he was going to Stanford University. Fast forward and I still believe that in life one should keep out of debt and try not to pay interest on anything. Well that's because I was brought up that way and you what its a good way!

[Eneto-55]

I was born in 55, my folks in 30. My parents have never had a new car, and we were country people, so all those small town memories are pretty scant for me. We went into town (3 1/5 miles away) once a week for groceries, and into the city (Tulsa - 16 miles away) about once a year, at Christmas time. The grocery shopping was usually on Saturday evening, since Dad worked till noon on Saturday, and they only had one car, and Mom didn't drive. (Later they got a second car, and Mom started driving, too.)

Gas was in the upper 20 cents price level, with an occasional gas war down to 21.9 cents - the lowest I recall ever seeing. But that was probably about 1/3 of an hour's wage, so it was not exactly cheap, either.

In High School (71-74) I listened to a retro-Western radio station - mostly music from the late 40's, and the ones who could never change, like Bob Wills. (Western Swing)

I have realized that what we see as 'the good old days' is generally what we recall of life as a child, and of course it is a simple time in our memories. But for our folks it was not necessarily a simple time - they had the pressures of making a living and raising a family in the same evil world in which we live now. Look at the stories in the Old Testament - people were killing, stealing, and raping way back when. Read the warnings about prostitutes in the book of Proverbs - what do they call it? - one of the oldest professions. But it is certainly true (at least form my perspective) that all that is a lot more 'in your face' now than it was then, but I know that I was also sheltered by my parents and community.

Neto

[1940plymouth]

I have realized that what we see as 'the good old days' is generally what we recall of life as a child, and of course it is a simple time in our memories. But for our folks it was not necessarily a simple time - they had the pressures of making a living and raising a family in the same evil world in which we live now. Look at the stories in the Old Testament - people were killing, stealing, and raping way back when. Read the warnings about prostitutes in the book of Proverbs - what do they call it? - one of the oldest professions. But it is certainly true (at least form my perspective) that all that is a lot more 'in your face' now than it was then, but I know that I was also sheltered by my parents and community.

Neto

I was born in '48, I remember my Dad working and getting paid every two weeks, he would pay for the last weeks groceries, then charge the following weeks. Being that he drove 18 miles one way to Dannamora State Prison he needed a good reliable car so he traded every three years. At this same time he bought a big farm house in 1954, paid approx 10 cents a gallon for fuel oil to heat the place.

All in all, I don't think it was any easier for our parents to raise a family "Back in the Day" than it was for us

My thoughts

[BobT-47P15]

I was born in 1943, therefore growing up mainly in the 50s. My family owned a clothing store in our town of 5,000 population. Folks got their paychecks on Friday and came to town on Saturday to shop. The stores all up and down Main Street stayed open til 9 pm on Saturday to accommodate them.

Saturday was always a busy day......I worked in the store sweeping floors,

washing windows and eventually a part time clerk.

During the summer, on either a Fri or Sat night, there would be an outdoor band concert by the high school band, and an ice cream social as well, on the

lawn of city hall. Main Street would be fotally lined with parked cars. The one I remember most was a 51 Studebaker starlight coupe with the wraparound rear window.

I remember how, before school began for the year, Moms brought in

the kids to buy "school clothes" for the year. Guys had to have a pair of high top "basketball shoes" for gym class, along with a pair or two of those woolly "sweat socks". There were the white gym shorts and the ever popular athletic supporter. Girls wore blue "gym suits".....one piece shorts sort of things.

On Saturday night, guys with the cool cars would "drag Main" and then hang out at the local burger bar drive-in. Our local Ben Franklin "dime store" didn't have a lunch counter, but it sure had a fine candy counter.

We had to drive 35 miles to the "big city" of Springfield, MO to find things

like lunch counters in dime stores and department stores, the "Monkey Wards" (Montgomery Wards) store and others.

All in all, it was a great time and place to grow up.

Like many smaller towns today, all the old businesses are gone, there are some vacant buildings along Main, and you can now buy all the things you once found along that street at the local WalMart.

As was said above, we remember it from a kid's perspective, while our parents had the responsibility of making a living and

paying the bills.

Edited March 26, 2012 by BobT-47P15

[Jerry Roberts]

I remember in our neighborhood in nothern wisconsin every other street was gravel . An old guy would often come by in his WW2 era car and the trim was all painted instead of chrome . I didn't learn until much later that this had been done to save the metals for the war effort . He would drive at about 2 miles an hour and we called him " speedy " behind his back .

[Merle Coggins]

I remember in our neighborhood in nothern wisconsin every other street was gravel ....

Where in northern WI? Many of the township roads up that way are still gravel.

Merle

[Alshere59]

Born in 1959 the youngest of 7 and my parents were born in the early 20's. My Dad was on a Destroyer during WWII in the Pacific theater. I even have an Uncle that is still alive that worked a landing craft during the Normandy invasion. 3 trips to the Beach on D day. I only bring this up because as I read the posts I have to wonder if coming through the depression and WWII instilled a spirit and values that we may never know. I think I will drive the old Plymouth over to Illinois and visit.

A slower time where people beat natural selection and adversity with common sense and hard work instead of depending warning labels and lawyers. Yea I like to think I could do that.

[Oldguy48]

This is an interesting thread for me. Brings back a lot of memories, as many of the posts sounded familiar. I was born in 1948, and experienced much of what was mentioned here. It was great to reminisce, but then I got to wondering....will my grandchildren reminisce about the world they are experiencing today when they get to be my age ?? Are they living their "innocent age" now? What with all the drug influence in today's society, the extremely violent video games, etc., I hope they will be strong enough to stay on the narrow path to adulthood and not go astray. When I was a schoolkid, I never even knew of anyone who was into drugs. Now, most every week the local newspaper has reports of more meth labs being raided, violent drug related crimes and more druggies being nabbed. And our area isn't even near a big city. It's a small town that not that many years ago was relatively safe and comfortable. It's downright frightening. I'm thankful I grew up when I did, and not in todays environment. Sorry for the rambling, but I just wanted to express my views.

Edited March 27, 2012 by Oldguy48
punctuation error

[Plymouthy Adams]

I'm sure that in this world today and at the rate it is changing that your kids will look back and say, "what I'd give to relive the good ole days.." I grew up in a very rural area..had acres of land to run on, no such thing as trespass, lakes and streams to fish and swim in..mountains to climb, sled riding and hunting..raising your own garden, helping the grandparents on Saturday in the fields and then having a mini reunion every couple weeks with good food and games..most kids today would keel over if they had to use muscles other than their two thumbs..

[Jerry Roberts]

Where in northern WI? Many of the township roads up that way are still gravel.

Merle

Superior Wisconsin , population 27,000 . The population was 32,000 when I lived there . Just a few miles from Duluth , Mn .