These 11 Photos Of Connecticut In The 1950s Are Mesmerizing
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Taylor Ellis
Author
Everything changes, but these photos from 1950s Connecticut are hard to believe. Our little state’s position in the world sure has changed! But there was once a simpler time, before parkways and phrases like “commuter state.” One of the original colonies, Connecticut was ahead of the curve and was once a manufacturing empire. In fact, they made a whole educational short film about it. Here are some highlights:
Children played outside beside the Nathan Hale statue and the state was described as having "quiet meakness." But most towns still have their large greens and quaint New England style.
Connecticut was predominantly a manufacturing state, producing many textiles. In fact, Connecticut had more patents issued per capita than any other state! It turns out that lots of inventors call this state home.
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In the 1950s, nearly 75% of residents livelihood was dependent on the state industry. They were proud of what they were producing and with hundreds of mills they were making the state a lot of money. Coffee and silk were just the beginning!
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Hartford, nicknamed the insurance capital of the world, was the largest city and an industrial center. The surrounding area has since been built up, the capitol building remains in all its glory.
Founded in 1771, you can't forget Yale University, one of the most prestigious colleges in the country.
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Or the University of Connecticut for that matter. Much like today, these two schools hold most of the fame within the state. But this is before glass libraries and ice cream bars, when the amenities were smil compared to today's offerings.
Dairy was the leading agricultural pursuit, which still rings true today, but it was mostly just small farms scattered throughout the countryside. Nothing like the massive Buttonwood Farm we have today. And farmers relied mostly on horse power to get things done.
Shade grown tobacco was a great way to get rich in the 1950s. Many residents have stories from their grandparents of spending summers working at tobacco farms. It yielded more money than any other crop in the United States and though it was hot, you didn't have to deal with the sun beating down on your back.
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Ever heard of a show shop? It was a popular activity during the summer months for residents of all ages. Old barns were converted into playhouses where actors would perform a variety of talents.
And of course, spending time at the beach was a must. In fact, this is where it all began. The swimsuits were different but the spirit of lounging on the shoreline was alive and well. This is Ocean Beach before the boardwalk and olympic sized swimming pool.
The Nutmeg State is small in size but its made a big impact. Photos like these, depicting a busy Hartford street, are so fun to look at. If you have any sitting around, share them with us!
Watch the full video here to see 1950s Connecticut in full swing!
1950s Connecticut sure was different! For more nostalgia, check out this footage of the forgotten Savin Rock Amusement Park.
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