Memories
I had a conversation with my daughter the other day about old time memories and being older than dirt she figured I would remember what follows and do I ever. Want to see just how many of you good folks remeber this with fond memories.
Immediate seating and no delays, either. Enjoy and for the fun of it figure what these items cost today!
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That's cheap! Boy you had it good for awhile tsula.
Sure did but in 1957 my hourly wage was $1.55 an hour. The only differrence was that your food then was not 30% chemicals, either.
That's true. tsula that wasn't much of a wage.
I was going to guess around 1960. I can remember Grandma taking us to the Woolworths in Indianapolis, IN around 1970 and she would buy herself and two kids lunch (with soda pop!) for a couple of dollars. That was a long time ago, yet your menu makes me feel a little younger -LOL!
:~)
Yep and that was up from the norm for the time. I was married, working full time, and going to schoolpart time to get my first degree. The job Ileft to take this one paid 1.00 an hour with no time and a half for 10 hour days, 6 days a week. Those were the good old days alright!!~
Every town had a Woolworth's though.And 1957 makes me feel a whole lot younger!
Tsula,
It's always relative. Fourteen years later (1971) both prices and wages were a lot higher but fourteen years before (1943) you were making $50 per month for sitting in a muddy hole in the ground, chewing on a mouldy biscuit (no Woolworth's around) and hoping that the next mortar round would go somewhere else. Compared to that, $1.00 an hour was paradise. I can remember 57 pretty well. I was 9 years old at the time. We actually didn't have a Woolworth. We had SS Kresge instead (later they moved to the suburbs and became K-Mart, not nearly as nice). We couldn't go there unless our mom took us though. It involved walking across a bridge over the river and lots of traffic. They had some of the greatest Root Beer floats in the world for only a dime; of course a dime was big money then.
Hey, TTGA , you aren't too far off with that analogee because in 1943, at the grand old age of 18, I was on Guadalcanal which did have a tendency to get down and dirty. Good points!
Great memories, tsula. Yeah, I remember those prices. Now a piece of pie at the best coffee shop in town is $4.50 and a coffee is $2.00. My two grandsons can't get out of there without spending nearly $20.00 for an afternoon snack.
Here is a question for you: Remember how the old Ben Franklin and Woolworth stores smelled? They always had a wonderful smell. What was that smell? The old Ben Franklin here in town, Albuquerque, had that smell and so did the one in Concordia, Kansas. How did they do that?
The old Ben Franklin here is now a goofy little department store type of thing, selling surplus army stuff and other odd things. Unfortunately, the smell is gone with the Ben Franklin and that's a shame.
Yeah, wasn't that the best of times? I was a soda jerk at the A & W Root Beer stand for a while when I was in college. I just hate root beer now. I was the best jerk ever, or so I am told.
Fountain features... Ah those are good memories... The last time I was at a real honest to goodness soda fountain was about 1973... Randsburg CA... talk about out in the middle of nowhere... but truly authentic! Reminds me of driving across the country with my family in the 50s... Something new in every little berg... None of this McWhatever everywhere you go business.
There are still a few of those businesses around ... not the prices though. There's a variety store in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania that used to be a "Five and Ten Cent Store." The old wood floors are still there and the store front as well.
Nice article and piece of memorabilia.
I remember going to Woolworths and although I it was 1967 when I would first sit alone at the counter, I do remember that my mom gave me a buck and I could get tuna sandwich and a soda for a buck.
So I must be older than dirt, too!
Tuna sammich? Eeek. I think I am going to have to make tuna sammiches now. Great idea.
Heh heh, my favorite fowl, don'tcha know? Chicken of the Sea..
Oh boy, the Woolworth's counter!! What could be better?? NOTHING. A grilled cheese sandwich and a malted. Now THAT was living, and totally in style. I miss that experience so much. With the red swivel stools. Stuff like this was so special because it was a rare treat. Not an everyday thing. As for the math though, it's not my first language. But, even back then we were let know that it cost money out of the parent's pocket. No shielding from that. And I think it was a better way.
Nice article. Thank you, Kara
Same here. I remember heading to the Zippy Mart to spend fifty cents on gas, smokes and a co-cola.
Yeah, I remember this, my father and mother were divorced early in my life and this is where my father took us for dinner when he came to pick us up for the weekend. I can't tell you what the prices for these things are today, all I know is they are at least 100 times what is shown on the menu.
In the days of my youth, our little town sported a JJ Newberry's, FW Woolworth, and a WT Grant so we were in the big time. I'm glad that so may folks remember those simpler times too and apologize for not being here more often. Then the last ice age struck and it was all gone!
I loved the smell of the Ben Franklin. It had wood floors and you could hear everyone walking around. The fountain was wonderful beyond belief. My mom would take me downtown, which was a long ways, for a root beer float. Kids now will never know that. There is only one real fountain here in town with 550,000 residents. How sad is that?
One fountain? Holy Cow, never figured city with 550,000 residents could wind up so far behind thetimes, eh? They pick on us for being old fogies but they really have missed the best of what we were and are!
yeah, really.
There's an old saying about "You can never go back"! That's too bad because as tough as the times were they were better than this where community was concerned. I am not a great admirer of the; "I've got mine get your own" frame of thought we face today!
Oh yeah, but it has to be termed as inflation on top of inflation!
This got me to thinking about the times of my youth and I'm not sure of the rules governing this sort of thing so if this addition is out of line someopne who knows how can delete it. Having said that welcome to the world of my youth:
Keep in mind that these were the good old days, eh?
Do I remember those Good Old Days? YOU BETCHA!!
Also remember please that the Social Aid Services of today all came into being after WWII, because of this situation, The Great Depression, and in response to its problems!None of the so called Social SafetyNets even existed! Back then, you were on your own!
ANNUAL INCOME 1932-1934
Airline Pilot $8,000
Airline Stewardess $1,500
Apartment House Superintendent $1,500
Bituminous Coal Miner $1,500
Bus Driver $1,373
Chauffeur $624
Civil Service Employee $1,280
College Teacher $3,111
Construction Worker $907
Dentist $2,391
Department Store Model $936
Doctor $3,382
Dressmaker $780
Electrical Worker $1,559
Engineer $2,520
Fire Chief (30,000 - 50,000 pop) $2,075
Hired Farm Hand $216
Hired Gun $5,200
Housemother - Boys School $780
Lawyer $4,218
Live-in-maid $260
Mayor (30,000 - 50,000 pop) $2,317
Pharmaceutical Salesman $1,500
Police Chief (30,000-50,000 pop) $2,636
Priest $831
Public School Teacher $1,227
Publicity Agent $1,800
Railroad Executive $5,064
Railroad Conductor $2,729
Registered Nurse $936
Secretary $1,040
Statistician $1,820
Steel Worker $423
Stenographer - Bookkeeper $936
Textile Worker $433
United States Congressman $8,663
Waiters $520
Average annual salary $1,368
Clothing Costs:
Belt $1.00
Boots, Calfskin riding $10.00
Coat, Cloth $6.98
Coat, Dress $6.75
Coat, Leopard $92.00
Coat, Mink $585.00
Coat, Overcoat $11.00
Coat, Raincoat $2.69
Dress, fair (full body) $3.00
Dress, good (full body) $10.00
Dress, Wool $1.95
Gloves, leather driving $1.00
Gloves, canvas work (six pair) $.39
Goggles (aviator/motorcycle) $4.89
Hat, Dress $2.49
Hat, newsboy/golf cap $.89
Hat, Stetson $3.98
Jacket, Leather Flight $20.00
Jacket, Rugged Leather $17.00
Jacket, Soft Leather $10.00
Pants, fine $3.00
Pants, work $1.25
Set, Heavy Clothes $5.00
Set, Fine Clothes $10.00
Shirt $.69
Shirt, suede hunting $3.00
Shoes, men's $4.00
Shoes, women's $.69
Shoes, Leather $1.79
Shoes, Reptile leather $6.00
Silk necktie $.79
Silk Stockings $.69
Suit, Golf $20.00
Suit, poor $12.00
Suit, fine $32.00
Suit, Tuxedo $25.00
Suit, Wool (men's) $10.50
Suit, Wool (women's) $3.98
Sweater, pullover $1.95
Sweater, Wool $1.69
Personal Effects:
Backpack, cloth $2.00
Backpack, leather $6.00
Bandolier $.50
Briefcase $1.00
Cigarette Holder $1.00
Holster $1.00
Pearls, Cultivated oriental $35.00
Perfume, per ounce $1.00
Purse $1.00
Satchel, leather $.90
Spectacles $9.00
Wallet $2.00
Watch (wrist / nice) $22.00
Watch (wrist / average) $5.00
Watch (Pocket/ nice) $10.00
Watch (Pocket/ average) $4.00
Housing/Lodging:
Farm & 6 room house $4,250
Italian villa, 12 rooms $17,000
Sears Homes "Kit", 6 rooms $2,800
Silver Cloud travel trailer $695
3-room apartment, $15 a month
Hotel, Waldorf Astoria (NYC), $5-$10 a night
Gadgets:
Alarm clock $1.00
Ariel antenna set $2.00
Camera - Bantam, field model $110.00
Camera - Kodak, Brownie $3.00
Camera - Kodak, Vest Pocket $20.00
Headphones $1.25
Microscope x425 $16.00
Microscope x100 $5.00
Movie camera, 8mm $29.50
P.A. system $37.00
Radio (console) $75.00
78 RPM Record $.50
Record Player $9.00
Typewriter $37.00
Miscellaneous:
Bicycle $7.00
Book (blank diary/journal) $.60
Book (fine journal w/ lock) $2.50
Cigarettes $.15 pack
Cigarette lighter $.39
Dental filling $1.00
Drawing set $7.00
Fireproof safe $12.00
Fountain pen $.85
Handcuffs $5.00
Ink $.20
Kit, Archaeology $20.00
Kit, Carpentry Tools $10.00
Kit, Lock picking $10.00
Kit, Mechanical Tools $25.00
Kit, Medical $10.00
Kit, Welding/Cutting $95.00
Newspaper $.05
Novel, pulp $.10
Pipe $.83
Scissors, fine $5.00
Slide Ruler $3.00
Household Items:
Bed (Double) and spring mattress $14.95
Bedroom set, 3-piece $49.95
Bed sheets, Double $.74
Blanket, Wool $1.00
Brush set $2.00
Chair, Lounge $19.95
Chair, Wing $39.00
Combs $.09
Dining room set, 8-piece $46.50
Electric Coffee Percolator $1.39
Electric Iron $2.00
Electric Mixer $9.95
Electric Portable Sewing Machine $24.95
Electric Shaver $15.00
Electric Washing Machine $47.95
Face Powder $1.50
Flatware, Silver plate, 26 piece $5.00
Lamp, Copper $1.95
Piano, Grand $395.00
Razor $4.00
Razor blades (10) $.49
Rug, wool 9'x12' $5.85
Secretary, Colonial walnut $54.00
Soap (12 cakes) $.40
Sofa, Chippendale mahogany $135.00
Stove, gas $23.95
Table, Bridge $1.00
Table, Louis XV walnut dining $124.00
Table, Mahogany coffee $10.75
Tablecloth, linen $1.05
Tooth brush $.10
Tooth paste (large) $.25
Towel, Bath $.30
Vacuum cleaner $18.75
Food:
Apples (per lb) $.03
Bacon (per lb) $.22
Bananas (per lb.) $.15
Beef, Rib Roast (per lb) $.22
Beef, Round steak (per lb) $.26
Beef, Sirloin steak (per lb) $.29
Bread (20 oz loaf) $.05
Butter (per lb) $.28
Cheese (per lb) $.24
Chicken (per lb) $.22
Coffee (per lb) $.26
Cornflakes (8oz package) $.08
Eggs (per dozen) $.29
Ham (per lb) $.31
Hamburger (per lb) $.10
Hershey chocolate bar $.04
Leg of lamb (per lb) $.22
Meal, breakfast $.25
Meal, lunch $.50
Meal, dinner $.75
Meal, Waldorf Astoria (NYC) Morse Grill $2
Milk (per qt) $.10 in your container $.07
Onions (per lb.) $.03
Oranges (per dozen) $.27
Pork chops (per lb) $.20
Potatoes (per lb.) $.01
Rice (per lb.) $.06
Salmon (16 oz can) $.19
Sugar (per lb.) $.05
Tomatoes (16 oz can) $.09
Whiskey (per qt) $1.50 (after 1932)
Wrigley's Spearmint or Doublemint gum $.03
Entertainment, Music & Sports:
Banjo $16.00
Circus, One Admission $.25
Concert, Bob Wills $.40
Drum set $65.00
Guitar $9.00
Harmonica $1.75
Saxophone $50.00
Trumpet $15.00
Violin, fine 45.00
Ballgame, Professional, one ticket $1.25
Basketball (leather) $1.25
BB air rifle $1.19
Bicycle $7.00
Cyclone, Coney Island, one ticket $.25
Doll carriage $4.98
Fielder's glove and ball $5.00
Movie with refreshments $.30
Roller skates $1.25
Sled $1.45
Tennis racket $4.00
Travel:
Air, NY to Chicago (rnd trip) $ 86.31
Air, Chicago to LA (rnd trip) $207.00
Rail, Chicago to San Fran (rnd trip) $ 80.50
Rail, 50 mile monthly commuter pass $10.39
Sea, European 2 month cruise $495.00
Sea, Bermudan 10 day cruise $110.00
Sea, Around the world, 3 mo $749.00
Sea, San Fran to Hawaii (rnd trip) $220.00
Sea, NY to San Fran via Panama $120.00
Hindenburg, TransAtlantic (rnd trip) $720.00
Automobile Services:
Automobile Tires, set of 4 $6.35
Engine, V-8, Factory rebuilt $40
Fan belts, Ford and Chevrolet $.12
Gasoline (per gallon) $.10
Motor Oil 1 quart $.15
Parking, All day $.09
Weapons & Ammo:
Pistol .22 $5
Pistol, Beretta palm-sized $30
Pistol, Colt .45 $25
Revolver, .38 $20
Revolver, .357 $22
Rifle, .22 $5
Rifle, Hunter $30
Rifle, Elephant Gun $70
Shotgun, Pump 12g $60
Scope $60
TNT, 1 stick $5
Whip, Bullwhip $2
Ammo, .22 caliber $.02
Ammo, handgun caliber $.03
Ammo, rifle $.07
Ammo, shotgun $.05
Adventuring Gear:
Binoculars x4 $8.00
Binoculars x5 $12.00
Binoculars x6 $14.00
Canoe, wood $12.00
Compass $1.50
Cooking Gear $1.25
Cot $4.00
Fishing Pole, average $1.50
Fishing Pole, nice $10.00
Flashlight w/2 batteries $.79
Gas Lantern $5.69
Gas Mask $7.00
Grappling Hook $2.00
Parachute $20.00
Shovel/Pick $1.00
Sleeping bag, summer $1.00
Sleeping bag, winter $3.00
Telescope $16.00
Tent, 7'x7' waterproof $11.00
Tent, Pup $5.00
Tent, Umbrella water proof $22.00
Twisted linen line (50yds) $.30
That is rather interesting. Did you notice also that a US Congressman was the highest paid of them all? Figures. They still haven't quit voting themselves raises. LOL
When we look at what is going on around us now you have to wonder about the general move towards deregulation the President Reagan championed from his days as governor of Ca and carried over into his presidency. I remember horror stories of mentally ill people being "mainstreamed" as he termed it and wound up living on the streets.
Congress has fixed that problem by voting automaticannual raises to themselves without the publicity they used to get that forced them to do it after dark, so to speak. So much for transparency in gov't, eh?
This is true, tsula. The mentally ill were thrown out of facilities which cared for their needs. Especially revolting to think upon when many of these people were schizophrenics. They still wander the streets, not knowing who they are. If you give them money, they do not know what to do with it, because they do not know what money is. It was a disgusting thing to do.
I never could figure Reagan out, considering his own backround. The same could be said of Boehner, considering his. No sympathy for the truly needy.
I suspect that his reasoning fit into his erroneous thoughts about trickle down economics and he truly never thought it through. The worst part of that was that after he got it pushed through in Calif most of the states did the same thing and I remember seeing pictures, at the time, of those poor people sleeping on grates while other people walked around or over them in New York City. That plus his mass firing of the Air Traffic Controllers to show his contempt for unions was his legacy for me. 2nd string acting bozo!
The reasoning of people like Reagan and Boehner is very plain. "These people must like living on the streets and eating from garbage cans, if they didn't they would get a job and earn money!" Of course this doesn't take into account that they don't even know what money is, much less a job, they have trouble remembering their own names.
I did some work for a while as an installer of hospital beds for a guy out of North Carolina, we had a job at one of the institutions mentioned above, there was one guy there, he was mentally about 5 years old, physically he was in his late 40's, he always talked about the "job he had on a Chew-Chew Train," he was the Conductor. I've always hoped that he had some family that would have taken him in after Reagan shut down the hospital he lived in.
"Blame the Victim" is a long-time Republican/Conservative tactic. What makes it effective are the middle class fools who accept the tactic's premise as reality, this because of ignorance-based beliefs such as bigotry, stereotyping and just plain stupidity.
Good input from all above. Mac, what REALLY surprises me are the number of extremely poor who "vote Republican" due to their "family values/Christian" blabber.
Republicans, with few exceptions, are for the rich, and only the rich. This fool Boehner and his cronies nearly made ALL of us fall off the fiscal cliff. And, of course, we aren't through the mess yet. There are at least 3 more to come.
Their egos are astonishing, that they think they "know best". And act for the "greater good"............oh my. And, of course, they have their personal phone lines on speed dial to God. Revolting rubbish.
I have to agree with you, Grump. The Ben Franklin and other "five and dimes", well my eyes went so big in my head when we could actually visit one of these. I'll never forget the day my Mom allowed me to spend "my own money" on some little, really tiny, plastic dolls. Funny how an article like this will trigger great memories.