I am a big fan of browsing images and other materials (like vintage yearbooks) of what life was like in colleges and universities in the 1930s-1960s. In fact I have a growing collection of blog posts on the subject and I’m about to add one more….Life at Palm Beach Junior College in the 1940s & 1950s.

I found these photos while browsing the ‘Internet Archive‘ and they were so fun to look at that I knew I had to share them here. So let’s begin!

About: Palm Beach Junior College is a public college in Lake Worth, Florida. It is part of the Florida College System. Palm Beach State College was founded in 1933 as Palm Beach Junior College and was the first public junior college in the state of Florida. The Old Palm Beach Junior College Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Source). The College was renamed Palm Beach State College in 2010 to reflect its expanded educational offerings (Source).

1940s & 1950s Vintage Photos

Life at Palm Beach Junior College

Early 1940s fashions for men and women as seen in this fantastic group photo outside of the college (everyone looks amazing!).

“All dressed up”. Late 1940s photo of three stylish young women in evening gowns (probably for a dance) posing with two older men (teachers?). Super late 1940s fashions!

The file this yearbook page is linked to says that this image is from 1938, but I think I have to disagree. The stunning hairstyles on the women are very much 1940s (the pompadour on the top right, the flowing curls, the hair flower) and the blouses look very 1940s as well. Am I right?

Whatever the date, these are some very stylish college students.

“The Campus Ball”. 1940s vintage image of a group of college students in their beautiful evening gowns, tuxedos and uniforms enjoying a dance together with a live band.

“It was a windy day”. Fantastic 1940s photo of a group of young women in their junior fashions posing for a photo together. I love the women’s on the right being caught in that windy moment just as the image was taken.

I LOVE The fashions in this group. The saddle shoes especially.

“Time to hit the books in the library” -1940s photo.

“Hippy and Dutch play horseshoes”. “Hippy flips another ringer while Dutch awaits his turn” Seen in the Galleon yearbook from 1951.

“Fun on the dance floor”. A 1952 vintage image from a Sadie Hawkins dance.

Photo of women college students at the pool for swim class in their gorgeous 1950s swimsuits.

Two students relax and listen to the record player with caption “Cooley Hall is typically represented”. Seen in The Galleon yearbook in 1951.

Outdoor Archery Class. What a fun image of our college students in their lovely 1950s dresses, skirts & blouses lining up to try their shot with the bow and arrow.

Outdoor Volleyball time!

“Break time!” Beanies, cigarettes, sodas and lawn chairs.

“How many students can you get in a Jeepster? 9!” Fun 1951 photo.

1950s formal dance.

Last note:

In 1965, the state legislature ordered that Black and white two-year colleges be merged, and the mostly white Palm Beach Junior College and the all-Black Roosevelt Junior College became one (Source).  

Photograph of four students with caption “Miss Freshman of 1959 & 1960 pose with classmates”. The Hornet (1961) page 30 from the Roosevelt Junior College Photographs archive (before the merge).

I hope you enjoyed taking a little peak into college life at Palm Beach Junior College. It looked like a good time.

Please share in the comments section what your favourite photos were or anything else you wish to talk about related to this post.

Further Reading:

• Vintage Photos 1920s – 1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
• Vintage School Posts 1920s – 1960s (Archived Posts)
• Vintage Yearbook Posts 1920s-1960s (Archived Posts)

Thanks for stopping by!

Liz