America’s pretty knowledgable of what life was like during the 1960s, thanks to the wonderful chronicling of counterculture history. We’re also aware of how those in big, bustling cities lived in the ’60s thanks to award-winning shows like AMC’s Mad Men and period crime dramas like NBC’s Aquarius. One has to dig a little deeper to find out how states like Arkansas fared during that decade, and it turns out that life was moving right along just fine in the Natural State. A huge thanks to Historic Arkansas Facts and Photos for sharing these pictures from the 1960s:
This photo was shot in 1959, but it's a good indicator of how life would be in Searcy during the 1960s. Taken on West Arch Street in Searcy, this picture is a good representative of the level of day-to-day busy living you'd find in small town life during the time.
Famous for being the youngest umpire in the history of pro baseball, Arkansas Sports Hall of Famer Bill Valentine (who would later become the general manager of the Arkansas Travelers) was photographed here in action with the American League during the mid 1960s.
McClard's Bar-B-Q in Hot Springs has always been popular with Arkansas residents. Even though this picture was taken circa 1959, we get a good notion of what life was like in the 60s. Natural State natives loved their barbecue then, and they still flock to great places like McClards for delicious BBQ today.
The anchors at Channel 11 in Little Rock have always been awesome. Steve Stephens, a popular face on KTHV, hosted 'Steve's Show', a popular local TV dance party show that premiered just months before Philidelphia's iconic 'American Bandstand' went national on television. Stephens went on to become an icon himself in the television and communication industry and has been inducted into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame.
This picture of the Magnolia Inn on Roosevelt Road in Little Rock was taken in 1969. Nearly 50 years later the property is still around, but it's a retirement facility these days instead of a hotel.
This photo of the old Sharp County Courthouse in Hardy was taken sometime in the 1960s while still in operation. Ash Flat became the new county seat in 1967 and as a result the courthouse ceased official business.
This street scene in Paragould, Arkansas was taken at one point during the 1960s. Other than the clothing styles and the car models of the era, how much has really changed about downtown Paragould?
This photograph, taken circa 1960, shows the Temple B’nai Israel (now located in west Little Rock) at its original location at the corner of Capitol and Broadway in downtown Little Rock.
The intersection of Capitol and Main in Little Rock looks a little different now than it did in 1961 when this picture of Kempner's Department Store was taken. Buildings that were once department stores have been replaced with government offices and general office space You'd have to go a little further down to the River Market these days for casual shopping.
Built in the 1860s and located at at 1115 West 4th Street in Pine Bluff, the historic home of Judge J.W. Bocage was nearly a century old when this photo was taken circa 1965.
There she is! El Dorado native Donna Axum was crowned Miss America in 1964 and photographed here in a stunning and confident pose with crown and scepter.
Thirty years after this photo was taken on July 24, 1963, Bill Clinton would become the U.S. President. On this day, the 16-year-old future President of the United States met the current President John F. Kennedy in the White House Rose Garden. Clinton, who was attending a program for the American Legion Boys Nation, was so inspired by this meeting that it became the catalyst for launching a lifetime's work of public service.
Historic Arkansas Facts and Photos is a great source for a look at Arkansas history caught on camera, stretching all the way back to photographs from the 19th-century. Check them out! For those Arkansans who were fortunate enough to live in the Natural State during those days, we’d love to hear your thoughts on how life has changed in Arkansas since then.
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