By Chuck Woodbury
ROADSIDE JOURNAL
This fascinating seven-minute video shows what life was like in America 63 years ago, at least in white, suburban America. To many middle-class Americans back then it was the best of times, filled with hope and promise. Gasoline cost 25 cents a gallon (and uniformed attendants did the pumping, checked your oil and washed your windshield). Homes were affordable on a single income and Mom enjoyed the latest in kitchen appliances.
And, as the video points out, it was the early days of national television, making it possible for America to “show itself to itself.”
Many readers of this newsletter lived through that era and will likely watch this with fondness. For many Americans, of course, who did not or could not live such charmed lives, watching this would be a reminder of a life very foreign to what they experienced.
Viewing this, however, is a dramatic reminder about how things have changed.
I really enjoyed this video. I was only 3, but this is the world I grew up in. And I will not feel guilty about it. My father was a hard-working man and believed in himself. He went into the Air Force, became an officer, and put himself through college with the help of the military. He provided a great life for us, and we traveled extensively through the United States. I’m proud to be an American.
Ah the good old days
https://www.tax-brackets.org/federaltaxtable/1958
I wonder how many of those houses had asbestos siding.
Oh the days of yester-year. I’d dial the time to go back. 50s,60s,70s excluding the Vietnam era it was better then, than today. Thanks for the clip it was great.
I would go back in a minute. I can’t think of what I would miss – other than this news letter on line.
You may miss modern dental care.
A good look back; thank you. Can I have a redo?
Back then things were made in America!
A nice look back- thanks!
Started my love of camping in 1957. While moving from RI to FL we traveled as far west as CO. We had an 18′ travel trailer behind a 1956 Buick. Weight distributing hitches were quite new and not too reliable. We had to find a weld shop several times along the way.
Since then I’ve had tents, tent campers and more recently a couple travel trailers. 63 years later we’re still enjoying the camping.
Wow. 63 years!! Roll on!! Personally, in 1957 I was mastering bagel-gumming to get my first tooth to come in….