Category Archives: Small Town Traditions

The interpersonal and social activities peculiar to the small working class town of 40s and 50s America.

Diary of a small oil town culture circa 1950 holiday traditions

Children eagerly anticipated holidays. Children did not notice the national media presentations. Radio, TV, and film did not advertise extensively for holiday purchases. Holiday traditions childhood perspective The nature of holiday celebrations are part of the definition and character of … Continue reading

Posted in Small Town Traditions | Tagged | Leave a comment

Grocery shopping is a short walk or a long ride

The grocery store was only one block from our house on 2nd street. We did not have a car for a few years and my mother never learned to drive. We carried groceries from the store to our house in … Continue reading

Posted in Small Town Traditions | Tagged | Leave a comment

Children’s habitats are discovered and invented in a 50s small town

Before the development of the recreation movement, which did not start to accelerate until the late 50s, children adapted their environment for playful purposes. Cities did not allocate facilities for children’s programs. Cities did not budget and train staff to … Continue reading

Posted in Small Town Traditions | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Streets and Roads in the neighborhood and around the corner

Elementary school reading textbooks in the 1950s were titled Streets and Roads.  Stories in the books were about a family and their neighborhood. Children named Dick and Jane were the main characters. The children’s story was about places and connections … Continue reading

Posted in Small Town Traditions | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Streets and Roads down the highway

A child’s universe is down the highway on Illinois Route 143 Illinois Route 143 connects towns down the highway from Alton, Illinois on the Mississippi River to Highland, Illinois. The State of Illinois applied the Route 143 designation to former … Continue reading

Posted in Small Town Traditions | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Movies frame 50s childhood memories and friendships

Most movies produced during the 1950s focused on adult interests. The cartoons that preceded the main feature were considered the children’s part of the presentation.  Western theme films, Science Fiction, WWII films, and Comedy genres attracted both children and adults. … Continue reading

Posted in Small Town Traditions | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Carnivals and Fish Frys 50s neighborhood memories

A child’s neighborhood is their first worldview. The short walk to the limited business district, town theater, playgrounds and schools defined the universe of 1950s neighborhood memories. Memories, relationships, identity, and a sense of security, evolve from neighborhood dynamics. A … Continue reading

Posted in Small Town Traditions | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments