In the 1950s, Delaware, like the rest of the country was booming with babies and a bump in the economy. The population of Delaware was about 321,000 residents, compared to the nearly 1 million of today. People started moving from city centers to rapidly growing suburbs made possible with vast improvements in roads and transportation. We dug up these mesmerizing photos of the decade.
- The first span of the Delaware Memorial Bridge accepted its first vehicles in 1951. The second span didn’t open until 1968, at the time making it the longest twin span suspension bridge in the world.
Delaware Public Archives
- The Rehoboth Beach Patrol decked out to save lives in the summer of 1950.
Delaware Public Archives
- A quintessential family farm, in southern New Castle County along Route 301, circa 1953.
USDA / Flickr
- Chicken festival
Delaware Public Archives
- In 1958, the “State of Delaware” cargomaster plane was christened by then governor Caleb Boggs’ wife.
Delaware Public Archives
- Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company expanded in the early 1950s to keep up with a growing population.
Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company
- Dating back to the establishment of the Delaware State Police Bureau of Investigation in 1935, fingerprinting (shown here in the 1950s) was used to help solve tough crimes.
Delaware Public Archives
- This posed photo is of faculty from the William Henry Comprehensive High School in Dover.
Delaware Public Archives
- A fire in Wilmington in April 1950 was said to have been started by a boy and a broom.
Timothy Wildey / Flickr
- Check out Laurel Chamber of Commerce’s float in the Delmarva Chicken Festival parade.
Delaware Public Archives
- What a view of Wilmington looking west down 9th Street!
Delaware Public Archives
- Delaware was known as a holly tree haven; shown here are ladies making holly wreaths for the holidays.
Delaware Public Archives
- If you look closely in the center of this photo, you can see Legislative Hall in Dover.
Delaware Public Archives
- Vistors take a stroll through Brandywine Park in Wilmington to view the beauty of the blooming cherry trees.
Delaware Public Archives
Do you have old photos of the state in the ’50s? Share them on the OnlyInDelaware Facebook page!
Delaware Public Archives
USDA / Flickr
Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company
Timothy Wildey / Flickr
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