A Trip Down 1950's Memory Lane
by Len Bourret (Copyright 2007)

 

 

To a young boy growing up in the 1950's, a trip to the F.W. Woolworth's, the State Theater, and W.T. Grant's offered a kaleidoscope of color, the smell of hot popcorn priced at only ten cents, a Saturday matinee and double feature priced at only twenty-five cents, and a variety of now-historic sights. At Christmas, the houses were all decorated in festive lights, and Main Street was aglow with the excitement of the holiday. There was the gift of what Christ had, and continues to do, for us. And, families celebrated the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's holiday together. Carols were sung warmly and openly, down Main Street, and one could hear the Christmas bells ringing and proclaiming the red kettles of the Salvation Army. There was a myriad of countless joys, and a plethera of what seemed to be endless possibilities. To a child, wishing could make anything so.

The more pragmatic moms and dads enjoyed the stores, with their artistic and meticulous designs, as well as the beautiful and creative displays. To evoke memories of the 1950's
nostalgia, please note the images of the State Theater and F.W. Woolworth's on Main
Street, Manchester (the State Theater marquee indicates that "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" and "The Quiet Man" are the double-features movies playing). Picture yourself ordering an ice-cream soda at the F.W. Woolworth's luncheonette across the street, and enjoying fond recollections of the "five and ten" (in those days, all you needed was a nickel or dime to buy quite a treat). My memories of Hollywood's golden era spans three decades from the 1930's through the 1950's, and includes the rich history of Hollywood's preceding silent era (before the "talkies").

 

Photo appears through the courtesy of the Manchester Historical Society.

http://www.mhs1955.com/AnotherTimeManchester2.htm

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