DETROIT The Fabulous Fifties

Ok then….I’m an old man, born at Ford hospital in 1948 . I went to Detroit public schools and graduated from Pershing in 1966. My childhood was absolutely idyllic. We were firmly blue collar, church going, law abiding and civically proud.Every school I ever went to was racially diverse. As a 12 year old I could ride my bike to Briggs Stadium unmolested…..indeed anywhere I chose to go. There are so many reasons that Detroit went off the rails, it would be impossible to catalog them in less than a multi-volume scholarly study…..even then. I can tell you that of the 5 houses in different neighborhoods that I lived in NOT ONE survives today nor do the neighborhoods in any meaningful way. CRIME drove my parents out of their forever home in 1978 and broke their hearts. I know I’m not unique, kids in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philly ,Baltimore , D.C. Seattle and countless others had very similar histories. I can now spend my twilight years reminiscing on the wonderful life I was afforded by being raised in Detroit by amazing parents in a safe , caring, civil society……and we had the BEST music, BEST cars, BEST hair of any epoch.

What a beautiful, vibrant city it used to be.

My mother was born and grew up in Detroit during the 1950's. In her last 3 years of life, my mother had dementia but she never forgot her memories of Detroit. It was the one subject she could still talk to us about. I have a very faint memory of Detroit and the last time we were there was in 1971.. Miss you mom & dad!

After six decades it still resonates as an unforgettable age! Prosperous, elegant, fantastic music. Absolutely unforgettable. The Golden Age of the US lifestyle...

Oh, how I would love to be able to go back in time to walk these streets, eat at the restaurants, see a ball game, see my old neighborhood and mingle! Thank you

50 years ago today:  the last full day of that beautiful, old Detroit.  RIP.

Even though I live in Windsor, we were always going shopping in downtown Detroit. Great Memories.

I can remember riding the bus downtown to see a 50 cent movie.... My first apt there was $12.50 cents a week---completely furnished w/ WW2 furniture...amazing radio, post-war as well...The year was 1965..! BTW it was not fancy but for a kid of 19 it was fine!

“Oh boy, I sure do love living in Detroit, the wealthiest city in the world. With some of the best cars in the world being manufactured here at a surprisingly low cost, I sure do hope nothing bad happens during the late 60s that would completely change our cities image forever” - Average Detroit Resident, 1955

One of the reasons why I'm building a time machine.

Beautiful video! Don't you just love how everyone was appropriately dressed? No one walking around in pajamas in public. No sagging pants on the young men. The ladies are all impeccable. Nice!

The 50's, where you could say you were from Detroit and be proud to say it.

I saw Detroit at the very tail end of her glory days in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  I remember the people, the energy, the vitality.  But now, seeing that city, I wonder whether my memories were really only a dream?  Seeing this video then, and seeing Detroit now, this video appears as though a piece of Hollywood fiction.  In my lifetime, I have seen Detroit do a complete 180 for the worst.  Some have commented on what a lovely piece of nostalgia this is and a glimpse into yesteryear.  I can't agree;  this video only intensifies today's pain.

I remember going to Hudsons in the late 50's with my parents and the streets were packed with people even later at night. After the riots, Hudson's closed at 5PM and the streets were deserted at night.

Detroit of today: A shell of it's former glory. Detroit of the pre-1960s past: A wonderful, vibrant city to live in.

I didn't grow up in Detroit, but a different city; it doesn't matter which one. The trouble is, you never realize how good it was until years after you've left.

There is a level of sophistication and class that you don’t see in society nowadays.

Before White Flight 🕊️ What a beautiful city.

When America was still America!

i would have love to be in my early twenties back then. i was born in 73. missed a golden era. Decent music, decent women, proper cars.