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When it comes to 1950’s in America, you might think of beautiful vintage dresses, Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe. Or you can think of nuclear annihilation, racial segregation, and the looming Cold War. Despite that, this period is often viewed as a golden era in U.S history, even though it was a definitely not as glorious as sometimes it might appear in the movies.
Many of the photos were collected by Denis Fraevich, a New Yorker of Russian descent who loves to bring the era back to life. “The pictures were found at auctions, flea markets and yards, digitized and posted on the Internet,” he told Bored Panda. “Someone’s happy life, someone’s dreams, important events, holidays and travel, for some reason were thrown into the garbage and became penny goods in a neighborhood sale. Seeing this is incredibly sad, but thanks to enthusiasts who buy and digitize old slides, we can raise the curtain of time and look at that era through the eyes of ordinary Americans.”
Denis has an incredible blog where he shares more of American history with his collected photographs. “I am amazed at how often a car is present in the frame,” he said. “They obviously occupied a much more important position in the life of an American than in our time. Today, it is much less likely that someone would take pictures of their car or television.” Scroll down to see these breathtaking photos yourself!
(h/t)
#1 Colored Entrance, Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#2 Ladylike In Nyc, 1958
Image source: Sante Forlano
#3 My Very Cool Grandpa In The 1950s Holding A Fish, Smoking A Cigarette, With A Book Tucked Into His Pants And Cigarette Pack In His Sleeve
Image source: schants
#4 A Drink, A Cigar And Not Giving A Good Goddamn, 1950s
Image source: B_Underscore
#5 An Officer With Hot Foot Teddy, The Real-Life Inspiration For Smokey The Bear, 1950
Image source: DillyDylan
#6 My Grandma Had Such A Gorgeous Smile. 1950’s
Image source: omeccamonolith
#7 James Dean At A California Gas Station With His Silver Porsche 550 Spyder, Named “Little Bastard,” Just Hours Before His Fatal Crash. September 30, 1955
Image source: unknown
#8 Daytona Beach,1957
Image source: J.Baylor Roberts
#9 Girl And Her Grandmother Window-Shopping In Mobile, Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#10 Store Front, Mobile, Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#11 Anne St. Marie, New York City, 1959
#12 Girl Portrait. Shady Grove, Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#13 At The Party, 1956
Image source: unknown
#14 Outside Looking In, Mobile, Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#15 Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#16 Showgirls Playing Chess Backstage At The Latin Quarter Nightclub – New York, NY (1958)
Image source: Gordon Parks
#17 The Streets Of San Francisco. 1957
Image source: unknown
#18 A Slightly Surrealistic Photo Of My Grandma And Some Dude Somewhere In Florida, 1957
Image source: shesafox
#19 South Side Snack. 1953, Chicago
Image source: unknown
#20 Child In A Car Seat
Image source: unknown
#21 Lady In Red
Image source: unknown
#22 My Grandmother, 1954
Image source: ktbird7
#23 Untitled, Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#24 1957
Image source: unknown
#25 My Grandpa And His Older Brother Dated Twin Sisters For A Time During The Early 1950’s. This Is Them Having A Lunch Date In Central Park, New York City
Image source: channyp1
#26 Missouri, Town Of St. Louis, 1953
Image source: Werner Bischof
#27 New York City, 1953
Image source: Werner Bischof
#28 At The Parade In Palm Springs, Florida. 1955
Image source: unknown
#29 San Francisco 1951
Image source: xiaopb
#30 Marilyn Monroe’s Film Studio Wanted To Prove That She Would Look Good Even In A Potato Sack Dress (1951)
Image source: Earl Theisen Collection
#31 The Girl In The Car. 1954
Image source: unknown
#32 Another 1950s School Dance Photo
Image source: TightTummies
#33 One Family, One Ford And A Bear. USA In 50s. Wonderful Years
#34 Family At The Christmas Table
Image source: unknown
#35 Dancer-Actress Gwen Verdon In A Hammock Wearing A Ballgown On NYC Rooftop (1953)
Image source: The Look magazine
#36 Boys From Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#37 Fresh-Squeezed, 1951
Image source: shorpy
#38 Hula Girl. Hawaii, 1956
Image source: unknown
#39 Mr. And Mrs. Albert Thornton. Mobile, Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#40 A Farmer With A Bouquet Of Flowers
Image source: unknown
#41 Gifts For Christmas, 1958
Image source: unknown
#42 Boy With A Duck, 1953
Image source: unknown
#43 Atlanta Airport In 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#44 Young Couple On A Date In New York City (1957)
Image source: Brassaï
#45 Shady Grove, Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#46 Collisions Of Ford And A Suburban Train. Los Angeles, 1955
Image source: Bill Whyte
#47 Taxi Driver, 1956
Image source: unknown
#48 Untitled, Shady Grove, Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#49 Mother And Children, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#50 Little Cowboy, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#51 Summertime In America, 1950’s: Eating Watermelon
#52 Picnic In Los Angeles, California. 1959
Image source: unknown
#53 Grandmother And Grandson, New York State
Image source: unknown
#54 Times Square, 1955
Image source: Michael Donovan
#55 Christmas, 1951
Image source: unknown
#56 My Grandfather Surveying In Alaska 1950. He Was A Cartographer For The USGS
Image source: Floogernaut
#57 Family At Home, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#58 Chicago
Image source: unknown
#59 Sunbathing
Image source: unknown
#60 Sightseers Park To Watch A Stratocruiser Taxi Across An Underpass In Queens, New York, March 1951
Image source: ANTHONY STEWART
#61 Dottie & Sally – September 1951
Image source: Grace or Hubert Tuttle
#62 Glen Cove, Long Island, 1956
Image source: unknown
#63 Usns Breckinridge US Navy Ship. 1959
Image source: unknown
#64 1958
Image source: Unknown
#65 1950’s Chevy Hardtop At A Chevron Station, 1957
Image source: unknown
#66 Backyards Of The Chinese Theater Of Grauman, Los Angeles
Image source: unknown
#67 Southern Part Of The Country, 1954
Image source: Werner Bischof
#68 I Am The Egg Boy. Anderson, Indiana, 1950s
Image source: unknown
#69 Maxwell Street, Chicago, 1953
Image source: unknown
#70 Times Square, New York City, Camel Cigarettes Motion Neon Sign, Phil Silvers As Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko
Image source: Dave Gelinas
#71 Easter,1955
Image source: unknown
#72 A Girl With A Dog And A Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe 4 Door, 1950
Image source: unknown
#73 1959
#74 Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, 1954
Image source: unknown
#75 1956 Ford Sunliner Parade Car, Alvin Johnson Models And Sugar Ray, Circa: 1958
Image source: Dave Gelinas
#76 1957 Buick Roadmaster. Chicago
Image source: unknown
#77 Grandfather With His Grandson
Image source: unknown
#78 50’s
Image source: unknown
#79 Snorkeling In Montego Bay, Jamaica, 1958
Image source: Nick Dewolf
#80 Children. Los Angeles, 1954
Image source: unknown
#81 At The Gas Station, 1957
Image source: unknown
#82 Daytona Beach, Florida, 1950
Image source: unknown
#83 Bus Station
Image source: unknown
#84 Minnesota, September 1952
Image source: unknown
#85 Flying Boat. Virginia, 1955
Image source: unknown
#86 Aunt Holly 1957, Annapolis
Image source: kelsey reilly
#87 Little Lady On A Tricycle, Circa Early 1950′
Image source: Dave Gelinas
#88 Woman In The Kitchen
Image source: unknown
#89 Hotel Dunes, Las Vegas
Image source: unknown
#90 Beer, Martini & Plastic Coating. Chicago 1959
Image source: unknown
#91 Brooklyn, 1950’s, Dog Walker
Image source: Richard Schatzberger
#92 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, 1958
Image source: unknown
#93 Wooden Bridge In Bryant Park
Image source: unknown
#94 Sears Department Store With Christmas Decorations
Image source: unknown
#95 Nash Wash: Wausau, Wisconsin. 1955
Image source: unknown
#96 Air View Of A Farm Somewhere Over Minnesota, 1952
Image source: Hubert Tuttle
#97 Ohio, 1955
Image source: unknown
#98 Kids Dressed Like Indians
#99 1953 Studebaker Coupe
Image source: unknown
#100 Pilots At The Air Base In El Paso, Texas, 1953
Image source: unknown
#101 Buffalo, New York
Image source: unknown
#102 Alexandria, Virginia, 1956
Image source: Unknown
#103 Girls On The Beach
Image source: unknown
#104 Rockaway Beach, New York, 1950
#105 The Legendary Italian Court At 619 N Michigan Ave. 1955, Chicago
Image source: unknown
#106 Los Angeles, 1951
Image source: unknown
#107 Indiana, 1955
#108 Girls With A Scooter
Image source: unknown
#109 Village Guys And Pick-Up, 1959
Image source: unknown
#110 Moving. Buffalo, New York
Image source: unknown
#111 Resting Near The Lake, 1952
Image source: Unknown
#112 Summer Of 1958
#113 Tidal Basin Cherry Trees. Washington D.c.,1955
Image source: unknown
#114 At The Entrance To Florida, 1958
Image source: unknown
#115 Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, 1950s
Image source: Chalmers Butterfield
#116 Kids Room, 1951
Image source: unknown
#117 Tv Repair. 1959
Image source: unknown
#118 Planters Peanuts Neon Sign, New York Times Square, Circa 1959
Image source: Dave Gelinas
#119 Cooks On Wheels. 1950
Image source: unknown
#120 Stu Lampe, Dds, Atlanta, 1959
Image source: unknown
#121 Couple Having Summer Vacation Fun, Circa: 1959
Image source: Dave Gelinas
#122 Welcome To Arizona, 1956
Image source: unknown
#123 Vinny And Rocco Find Another Racket. Forida, 1951
Image source: unknown
#124 Aquamaids. Florida, 1952
Image source: unknown
#125 Ice Fishing. Early 1950s
Image source: unknown
#126 Building Capitol Records On Vine Street. Los Angeles, 1957
Image source: unknown
#127 San Francisco 1951
Image source: xiaopb
#128 Party Music, 1959
Image source: unknown
#129 Feeding Chipmunk. Zion National Park, Utah, 1956
Image source: flickr.com
#130 Tram Stop In Los Angeles
Image source: unknown
#131 Pedestrian On The Street Of A Small Town, 1956
Image source: unknown
#132 1956 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton, 1956
Image source: Dave Gelinas
#133 Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) And His Horsetopper, Rose Parade, Pasadena, Ca, Circa 1959
Image source: Dave Gelinas
#134 Sea Voyage, 1957
#135 Mom Looks Admiringly At Dad’s Two Toned 1953 Pontiac Chieftan At The Bonneville Salt Flats On Their Coast-To-Coast Trip From New York To Los Angeles In 1956
Image source: Andy Blair
#136 Big City Visitors, 1951
Image source: unknown
#137 My Mother Standing Out In Front Of Our Basement Apartment At Late 1950’s, In Brooklyn
Image source: Jasperdo
#138 Sandpiper Motel & Apts, 1958
Image source: unknown
#139 Leis On Arrival, Honolulu, Late 1950s
Image source: unknown
#140 Oahu, Hawaii, 1950s
Image source: unknown
#141 Aerodrome In Michigan, 1952
Image source: unknown
#142 Corner Of Hollywood And Vine 1952
Image source: Nicktendo94
#143 Lincoln High School, Los Angeles In October 1956
Image source: Bill Whyte
#144 Las Vegas At Night, 1958
Image source: unknown
#145 Statue Of Liberty, New York, 1953
Image source: unknown
#146 Happy Aniversary, 1955
Image source: flickr.com
#147 Bus Station. 1959
Image source: unknown
#148 Atlantic City, 1953
Image source: kibblenbits
#149 Cafe Du Monde, New Orleans, 1958
Image source: unknown
#150 Oahu, Hawaii, 1950s
Image source: unknown
#151 New York City, Bus Terminal, 1953
Image source: Werner Bischof
#152 Tombstone, Outside Of Tucson, Late 1950’s
Image source: Mark Lange
#153 Miami Beach, 1953
Image source: unknown
#154 Near Irving Park, Il, 1958
Image source: unknown
#155 New Movie Camera, 1958
Image source: flickr.com
#156 Trinity Church, Boston, 1956
Image source: flickr.com
#157 Corn Palace. Mitchell, Sd, 1955
Image source: flickr.com
#158 Brooklyn, 1956
Image source: unknown
#159 Colorado, 1950
Image source: unknown
#160 A Man Washes His Pontiac Catalina, Florida, 1953
#161 Disneyland, Late 1950’s
Image source: Mark Lange
#162 5th Avenue & 50th Street, 1956
Image source: Michael Donovan
#163 Forestry Building, Portland, Or, 1957
Image source: flickr.com
#164 Beach Scene, 1955
Image source: Dave Gelinas
#165 Shady Grove, Alabama, 1956
Image source: Gordon Parks
#166 The Merchandise Mart At Christmas. 1959, Chicago
Image source: unknown
#167 Fire Engine. Princeton, New Jersey, 1956
#168 Hawaiian Beach, 1950s
Image source: unknown
#169 Street Fair. Hawaii, 1950s
Image source: unknown
#170 Iga, Elkton, Mi, 1958
Image source: unknown
#171 May Court — May Day 1956, Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa
Image source: flickr.com
#172 Boulder Park, Jacumba, Ca, 1959
Image source: flickr.com
#173 On The Border Of Virginia, 1955
Image source: unknown
#174 Lovers Of Red. Michigan, 1955
Image source: unknown
#175 Los Angeles 1954
Image source: unknown
#176 Blizzard Of 1950 — Xenia, Ohio
Image source: ElectroSpark
#177 Washington, D.c., 1950
Image source: unknown
#178 1959 Kapiolani Beach, Near Waikiki
Image source: emmdee
#179 Car Wash. Los Angeles, Ca, 1956
Image source: unknown
#180 Washington Dc, 1953
Image source: unknown
#181 New Orleans, 1958
Image source: unknown
#182 Canal Street, New Orleans, 1958
Image source: unknown
#183 Canal Street, New Orleans, 1958
Image source: unknown
#184 In B-25 On Way To El Paso, Tx, 1953
Image source: unknown
#185 House Party, 1959
Image source: unknown
#186 4th Of July Parade, Tulsa, 1956
Image source: flickr.com
#187 Vacation Cruise To Europe, 1950s
Image source: flickr.com
#188 Paradise Beach. Nassau, Bahamas, Early ’50s
Image source: flickr.com
#189 Lulu Belle Restaurant On Main Street, Scottsdale, Arizona. 1959
Image source: unknown
#190 Glen Cove, Long Island — 1956
Image source: ElectroSpark
#191 Grand Canyon, Arizona, 1956
#192 Trailer Park, 1958
Image source: unknown
#193 Fruit Stand. Floral City, Fl, 1955
Image source: unknown
#194 Mount Vernon, 1953
Image source: unknown
#195 Sandpiper Motel & Apts, 1958
Image source: unknown
#196 Father Duffy, Times Square, Nyc, 1953
Image source: unknown
#197 San Fransico, Ca, 1957
Image source: unknown
#198 San Fransico, Ca, 1957
Image source: unknown
#199 End Of Our Florida Vacation, 1952
Image source: unknown
#200 Christmas 1952
Image source: unknown
#201 Ft. Wayne, In, 1955
Image source: flickr.com
#202 Boston Public Library, 1956
Image source: flickr.com
#203 Thunderbirds Are Go! 1958
Image source: flickr.com
#204 Aunt Betty, Atlanta, 1959
Image source: flickr.com
#205 Santa
Image source: unknown
#206 Local Color. San Diego, 1950s
Image source: unknown
#207 San Pedro Street In Los Angeles, 1957
Image source: unknown
#208 Rambler Cross Country On The Road In Utah, 1957
Image source: unknown
#209 New York Skyline From The Rockfeller Center 1954
Image source: Paul Falardeau
#210 Knottsberry Farm. Ca, 1958
Image source: unknown
#211 Rca Building Times Square, Nyc, 1953
Image source: unknown
#212 Rko Palace, Times Square, Nyc, 1953
Image source: unknown
#213 Lake Tower Motel,chicago 1959
Image source: unknown
#214 Mummers Parade. Philadelphia, Jan 1, 1955
Image source: unknown
#215 Mummers Parade. Philadelphia, Jan 1, 1955
Image source: unknown
#216 Hawaiian Party, 1950s
Image source: unknown
#217 Ss Lurline Arrival, Honolulu, Late 1950s
Image source: unknown
#218 Hawaii, 1950s
Image source: unknown
#219 Scotch & Pretzels, 1958
Image source: unknown
#220 Yale Rubber Co. Plant Fire, Sandusky, Mi, 1952
Image source: unknown
#221 Madisonville, Ky, 1950s
Image source: flickr.com
#222 Madeira Beach, Fl, 1950s
Image source: flickr.com
#223 Silver Springs, Ocala, Fl, Early 1950s
Image source: flickr.com
#224 Aspen, Co, 1959
Image source: flickr.com
#225 Dairy Creme. Oklahoma, 1956
Image source: flickr.com
#226 Noah’s Ark, Old Orchard Beach, Maine, 1956
Image source: flickr.com
#227 Kitchen Klatch. January 1959, Los Angeles, California
Image source: unknown
#228 Strekreyser Early 50’s
Image source: unknown
#229 Wipe The Windshield
Image source: unknown
#230 Maryland
Image source: unknown
#231 Los Angeles 1952
Image source: unknown
#232 Los Angeles, 1956
Image source: unknown
#233 50’s
Image source: unknown
#234 After The Snowfall. Ohio, 1958
Image source: unknown
#235 Malibu Pier Area In The 1950s
#236 1957
Image source: kelsey reilly
#237 Looking North From 333 N Michigan Ave. 1954, Chicago
Image source: unknown
#238 Looking West From 333 N Michigan Ave. 1954, Chicago
Image source: unknown
#239 Union Square In San Francisco, 1952
#240 Hawaii, 1952
Image source: unknown
#241 1959 Makaha Surfing Championships
Image source: emmdee
#242 Easter, 1959
Image source: unknown
#243 A Party In San Diego, California, 1956
Image source: unknown
#244 Parade. Clearwater, Fl,1956
Image source: unknown
#245 Washington Dc, 1953
Image source: unknown
#246 Jones Beach, Long Island, 1954
Image source: unknown
#247 Beauty On The Potomac River. Washington Dc, 1953
Image source: unknown
#248 Uss Hornet In Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1950s
Image source: unknown
#249 Rodney Kroehler Ymca Camp In Hayward, Wi, 1954
Image source: unknown
#250 Chicago, 1959
Image source: unknown
#251 Mummers Parade. Philadelphia, Jan 1, 1955
Image source: unknown
#252 Manhattan, Ny, 1953
Image source: unknown
#253 Ft. Monroe, Hampton, Va, 1953
Image source: unknown
#254 Boot Hill, Dodge City, Kansas, 1957
Image source: unknown
#255 Cypress Gardens, 1952
Image source: unknown
#256 Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven, Florida, 1952
Image source: unknown
#257 Cypress Gardens Performers. Florida, 1950s
Image source: unknown
#258 Forestry Building, Portland, Or, 1957
Image source: flickr.com
#259 Bandshell, Sanford, Fl, Early 50s
Image source: flickr.com
#260 Pool-Party. Provo, Utah, 1959
Image source: flickr.com
#261 Albuquerque, 1951
Image source: flickr.com
#262 Fun In The Sun. Nassau, Bahamas, 1950s
Image source: flickr.com
#263 Young America, 1959
Image source: flickr.com
#264 Desert View Lookout Tower, Jacumba, Ca, 1959
Image source: flickr.com
#265 New Cars Parked In Front Of The Showroom
Image source: unknown
#266 1956
Image source: kelsey reilly
#267 Looking West From 333 N Michigan Ave. 1954, Chicago
Image source: unknown
#268 Florida, 1956
Image source: unknown
#269 Canal & Chartres. New Orleans, La, 1954
Image source: unknown
#270 Anne Klem, January 1955
Image source: Kristine
#271 Parade On Cleveland St. Clearwater, Fl, 1950s
Image source: unknown
#272 10741 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, 1958
Image source: unknown
#273 Washington Dc, 1953
Image source: unknown
#274 Hotel Martinique, Miami Beach, 1953
Image source: unknown
#275 Card Game, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1959
Image source: unknown
#276 Lake Michigan, Chicago, Il, 1959
Image source: unknown
#277 San Fransico, Ca, 1957
Image source: unknown
#278 San Fransico, Ca, 1957
Image source: unknown
#279 Ss Matsonia, Honolulu, Late 1950s
Image source: unknown
#280 Directorate Picnic, 1953
Image source: unknown
#281 Madeira Beach, Fl, 1950s
Image source: flickr.com
#282 Ft. Harrison Hotel Pool, Clearwater, Fl, 1953
Image source: flickr.com
#283 Safeway, Tulsa, Ok, 1956
Image source: flickr.com
#284 Ft. Wayne, In, 1955
Image source: flickr.com
#285 Old State House, Boston, 1956
Image source: flickr.com
#286 Kresge Auditorium, Mit, Cambridge, Ma, July 1957
Image source: flickr.com
#287 California Desert, 1959
Image source: flickr.com
#288 Winter In New England
Image source: unknown
#289 Looking West On Randolph From Clark. 1955, Chicago
Image source: unknown
#290 Looking South From 333 N Michigan Ave. 1954, Chicago
Image source: unknown
#291 Waiting For Customers On The Gas Station
Image source: unknown
#292 USA, 1956
Image source: A.Davey
#293 1959 – Tantalus Drive
Image source: emmdee
#294 Pemabo Peace Garden And Altar Of Freedom, San Francisco, Ca, 1968
Image source: unknown
#295 Tulsa, Ok, 1956
Image source: flickr.com
#296 Ringling Brothers, Sarasota, Fl, 1955
Image source: flickr.com
#297 Gasparilla Panorama, Tampa, Fl, 1954
Image source: unknown
