Michigan in the 1950s was at its height. We had developed the Arsenal of Democracy following WWII, and the automotive industry was going strong so most folks could find good jobs. And with that prosperity came the trappings of the middle class: nice homes in the suburbs and trips Up North with the family. Slowly our landscape began to change.
We’re fascinated with this period of American life, which is why we dug into some vintage photos that capture 1950s Michigan. Have a look.
- A.W. Patch’s Supermarket, Harrison
Roadsidepictures/Flickr Back when supermarkets were still pretty super.
- Mackinac Bridge
Don…The UpNorth Memories Guy… Harrison/Flickr Cars going over the then-new Mighty Mac.
- Ludington State Park
Don… The UpNorth Memories Guy… Harrison/Flickr People in the 50s - they’re just like us.
- National Bank of Detroit
Roadsidepictures/Flickr Back in the day, National Bank of Detroit was thriving in the Midwest. It later merged with First National Bank of Chicago, then acquired and merged with Bank One. Today, the name no longer stands and the bank is owned by JPMorgan Chase Co.
- Northside Shopping Center, Coldwater
Roadsidepictures/Flickr Ah yes, the Kroger. Still going strong after all these years, although they’ve added some modern touches since this picture was taken.
- Frederick Roadside Underground Forest, Otsego
Don…The UpNorth Memories Guy… Harrison/Flickr Shuttered since the 1960s, this roadside attraction still stands, though it’s aged quite a bit.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes Climb
Don…The UpNorth Memories Guy… Harrison/Flickr
- Sodus Downtown
FotoGuy 49057/Flickr This small township sits near Lake Michigan… Looks like a tiny country store right here.
- St. Ignace/Mackinaw City
Don…The UpNorth Memories Guy… Harrison/Flickr The photographer says this is a scene during construction of the Mighty Mac.
- Western Avenue, Muskegon
Brandon Bartoszek/Flickr The Woolworth’s building was torn down to make way for a mall. The Kresge building became part of the shopping center. Today, none of the buildings in this picture remain.
Takes you back, doesn’t it? Tell us or share with us any memories or old photos you may still have that really show what 1950s Michigan was like.
Roadsidepictures/Flickr
Back when supermarkets were still pretty super.
Don…The UpNorth Memories Guy… Harrison/Flickr
Cars going over the then-new Mighty Mac.
Don… The UpNorth Memories Guy… Harrison/Flickr
People in the 50s - they’re just like us.
Back in the day, National Bank of Detroit was thriving in the Midwest. It later merged with First National Bank of Chicago, then acquired and merged with Bank One. Today, the name no longer stands and the bank is owned by JPMorgan Chase Co.
Ah yes, the Kroger. Still going strong after all these years, although they’ve added some modern touches since this picture was taken.
Shuttered since the 1960s, this roadside attraction still stands, though it’s aged quite a bit.
FotoGuy 49057/Flickr
This small township sits near Lake Michigan… Looks like a tiny country store right here.
The photographer says this is a scene during construction of the Mighty Mac.
Brandon Bartoszek/Flickr
The Woolworth’s building was torn down to make way for a mall. The Kresge building became part of the shopping center. Today, none of the buildings in this picture remain.
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