All of these happy young guys are wearing street shoes, whereas cowboys or even moderately horsey suburban ranch types would be wearing boots with pointy toes and "working heels." My dad was raised as a cowboy on the Wyoming Hereford Ranch in the 1920s and 1930s, and would have instantly recognized these boys as townies from the angle of their hats alone (tilted back to show the face - pure Hollywood). Late 1940s seems more likely than later, and the locale could be almost anywhere in Southern California at that time. Even the San Fernando Valley was mostly small ranches until the late 1950s.

I have several of these pictures--my favorite is a group of women (granny, mom and daughters) from the 1880s or 1890s, some of whom have books as props.

I think they are about to break into a chorus of "Y.M.C.A."

"Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys."

I'd say it's a photo from the mid to late 1940s.

The guy on the back left side looks like he has on a military uniform from the 1940s. I have photos of my father from WWII with a very similar looking uniform. But I guess you could say military uniforms didn't change that much back then.

Just my thoughts. Thanks for this fantastic site. I visit pretty much everyday.

Mike