Framed or unframed, desk size to sofa size, printed by us in Arizona and Alabama since 2007. Explore now.
Shorpy is funded by you. Patreon contributors get an ad-free experience.
Learn more.
- Baldwin 62303
- Baldwin VO-1000
- Cold
- No expense spared
- Tough Guys
- Lost in Toyland
- And without gloves
- If I were a blindfolded time traveler
- Smoke Consumer Also Cooks
- Oh that stove!
- Possibly still there?
- What?!?
- $100 Reward
- Freeze Frame
- Texas Flyer wanted
- Just a Year Too Soon
- WWII -- Replacing men with women at the railroad crossing.
- Yes, Icing
- You kids drive me nuts!
- NOT An Easy Job
- I wonder
- Just add window boxes
- Icing Platform?
- Indiana Harbor Belt abides
- Freezing haze
- Corrections (for those who care)
- C&NW at Nelson
- Fallen Flags
- A dangerous job made worse
- Water Stop
Photos submitted by Shorpy members!
Print Emporium
Dad and Me: 1957
Daddy taking a break from the BBQ in West Covina, California, circa 1957. Mother took the picture and you can see her shadow. West Covina was one of the new suburbs east of Los Angeles back in the nifty 50s. Dad was a decorated combat veteran from the Korean War, and used his VA benefits to buy two homes. This was the first. This was a great place. I had wonderful friends and neighbors. My folks have often said this was the best place they have ever lived. Neighbors were friendly and they socialized with each other. There was an air raid siren nearby that went off twice a month as a test. This was the height of the cold war, but what did we know. View full size.
Air Raid Sirens
Though disappearing, many of the Cold War-era sirens can still be seen around LA.
Astroturf in Brentwood
Here's how we do it now.
Home Turf
You probably would see a very different front yard today. Love to know the address. There are no more "perfect freaking lawns" in Southern California.
Cities now mandate vastly reduced lawn watering. Many once-lush yards are yellow, dying, weed-infested. Not to mention, the voracious rabbits. They can denude a yard in days.
There are some water sneaks, and the Water Police is routinely called - so 1957 is long gone in yet another way for us hereabouts.
Awesome apron!
Yet another lost art - barbecuing with an apron on.
Ah yes, the GI Bill
I got a piece of the GI Bill for the Army, 1947. Got called back for Korea (1950) and got more of it. It put me through college and I decided I did love school so ended up getting a PhD and taught for some 27 years.
What a perfect freaking lawn.
It looks like a golf course. 50 years later with all these advancements and I still can't get my lawn to look like that. But then that pic is in California.
That's funny
Dad's got that Buchanan squint going, doesn't he?
Yes
Those days were good, and you were loved and well cared for. Achingly sweet.
Pat Buchanan? Is that you?
Oh, wait. It clearly says "combat veteran." Never mind.
Cute kid
And what a great dad. Thanks to your dad for his service to our country.
50s novelty apron
My dad had one. "Kiss me, I'm never too busy!" There was also a companion apron that read "Don't kiss me, I'm busy."
Formalities
What does it say about today's society that your father is bar-b-quing in kakies and loafers.
[It says, "Kakies! Kakies!" - Dave]
In Glorious Color!
Many thanks for posting your first 2 photos, Mvsman! I'm looking forward to all of your promised subsequent photos if they are as excellent as these two. And being rare 1950s color photographs is an added treat. Please, keep 'em comin'
I remember
If I close my eyes I can feel the breeze, smell the BBQ and hear a lawnmower off in the distance.
Shorpy.com is a vintage photography site featuring thousands of high-definition images. The site is named after Shorpy Higginbotham, a teenage coal miner who lived 100 years ago. Contact us | Privacy policy | Accessibility Statement | Site © 2024 Shorpy Inc.
On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5