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Category: vintage images


Sep
2022

Life at Palm Beach Junior College 1940s & 1950s

categories: 1940s, 1950's, Back to School, vintage images, Vintage Photo Tuesday

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!

1950s vintage photo of student registration at Palm Beach Junior College 1950s fashions for men and women on display
Student Registration-1950s

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!).

early 1940s vintage image of college students at Palm beach junior college posing together outside of their school in early 1940s fashions for women and men

“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!

1940s vintage photo of 3 college students in 1940s evening dresses for a college dance posing with 2 older men. Stunning 1940s Fashions and 1940s Hairstyles on dispaly.

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.

1940s vintage yearbook photo of 1940s women and men. The women are wearing fantastic 1940s hairstyles that are great inspiration for your own look. Seen at Palm Beach Junior College

“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.

1940s vintage photo of the Palm Beach Junior College ball featuring 1940s evening dresses, men in uniform and 1940s hairstyles.

“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.

1940s vintage image of young women college students in 1940s fashions including saddle shoes posing together with their 1940s hairstyles

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

1940s vintage image of students in college studying in their library

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

1950s vintage photo of two young men in college playing horseshoes at palm beach college in early 1950s fashions

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

1950s vintage photo of two young men and one young woman in costumes dancing together at a1952 Sadie Hawkins dance at Palm Beach Junior College in 1952.

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

1950s vintage photo of women college students at the pool in 1950s swimsuits and 1950s hairstyles in palm beach junior college

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

1950s vintage photo of two young college men listening to the record player in their dorm room in 1951 at palm beach junior college. They are wearing 1950s fashions and 1950s hairstyles for men.

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.

1950s vintage photo of a group of women college students in 1950s dresses and 1950s skirts and blouses trying archery at Palm Beach Junior College

Outdoor Volleyball time!

1940s 1950s vintage photo of women college students playing volleyball in their gym uniforms at Palm Beach Junior College

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

1950s vintage photo of college students taking a break in 1950s fashions. several men are wearing beanies on their head.

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

1950s vintage photo of college students in a jeepster in 1950s fashions from 1951

1950s formal dance.

1950s vintage photo of a college dance - 1950s Prom or 1950s Homecoming featuring young women in 1950s dresses and men in tuxedos.

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).

1960s vintage photo seen in a 1961 Yearbook of 4 Black students. Photograph of four students with caption "Miss Freshman of 59 & 60 pose with classmates". The Hornet (1961) page 30. Number 106 of 192 from archival box labeled Roosevelt Junior College Photographs.

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:

Thanks for stopping by!

Liz


Sep
2022

Vintage Photo Tuesday: 1930s Fashions As Seen On Everyday People

categories: Vintage Fashion, vintage images, Vintage Photo Tuesday

1930s style in action. A collection of vintage photos of regular everyday people in 1930s fashions.

1930s vintage photo of a woman windown shopping in a 1930s dress, 1930s shoes and 1930s hat.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.

1930’s Fashions As Seen On Everyday People

The Vintage Photos

In the 1930s, fashion saw a profound influence from films and specifically Hollywood. Men’s, women’s, and children’s styles were based on fashions seen on screen with stars like Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, and Shirley Temple among the many who directly influenced fashion. A return to conservatism after the Roaring Twenties also marked fashion during this period.

(Learn all about 1930s Fashions for Men & Women at the Fashion Institute of Technology)

Our first image is the best way to start this 1930s fashion post. From the ruffled colar on this sweater jacket to her cute beanie hat, this woman is stylish!

1930s vintage photo of a woman in 1930s fashion posing outside with a dog who is behind the fence. Stunning 1930s street style.

Source: Etsy

Not only is the photo below of a stylish 1930s family it also comes with a fascinating story.

ABOUT: Two cousins named Roberta G. Thomas and Flaurience Sengstacke (Thomas stands at the far left, while Sengstacke is seated at the far left) chronicled what life was like for two young, African American women traveling abroad. Published in the pages of the Chicago Defender, a weekly newspaper published by their uncle Robert Sengstacke Abbott, the cousins’ columns regaled readers with tales of the duo’s travels throughout Europe, as recounted in some 20 articles penned between July 1931 and August 1932 (source).

Read all about their story here ==> Experience 1930s Europe Through the Words of Two African American Women

1930s vintage photo of a stylish 1930s Black family in 1930s fashions posing together after two young women returns from their travels. The cousins (Thomas stands at the far left, while Sengstacke is seated at the far left) pose for a family portrait after returning from their trip

Source: Smithsonian magazine

This couple is probably not that “regular everyday” but I don’t know who they are, and neither does anyone else on the web so they get to be shared here. Besides why would you not want to admire her zebra stripped jacket and matching skirt and his dapper boater hat and suit? Fantastic style from head to toe!

1930s vintage photo of a man and woman in 1930s fashions. The woman is wearing a zebra print 1930s Jacket and matching 1930s skirt. The man is wearing a suit with a straw boating hat.

“1933-Mamie Smith & Virginia Flynn” pose together in their homemade dresses. Mamie is wearing a 1930s housedress and Virginia is wearing a pretty bow dress.

1930s Vintage Photo / 1930s Fashion: 1933-Mamie Smith & Virginia Flynn pose together in their homemade dresses. Mamie is wearing a 1930s housedress and Virginia is wearing a pretty bow dress.

Source: Etsy

Two friends share a moment in front of a store window.

1930s vintage photo of two young women in 1930s dresses posing together in 1930s fashions / 1930s street style.

Helene & Priscilla in 1930s coats with fur shawls posing on a boat.

1930s fashion / 1930s Photo of two stylish women in 1930s coats with fur collars, 1930s shoes and 1930s hats posing on a boat

Source: Etsy-DearMacyVintage

A group out for the day with their car, stopping to take a photo to showoff their 1930s style.

1930s vintage photo of men and women in 1930s fashions posing with a car

Source: Etsy

1935 Strolling Coats as seen in this photo from ‘James Van Der Zee’.

STUNNING!

James Augustus Van Der Zee (June 29, 1886 – May 15, 1983) was an American photographer best known for his portraits of BlackNew Yorkers. He was a leading figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Aside from the artistic merits of his work, Van Der Zee produced the most comprehensive documentation of the period (Source).

1930s vintage photo of a Black Women and a Black Man in 1930s fashions as seen in 1935. 1935 Strolling Coats.

Source: Feature Shoot

A young man in a three piece suit and black and white shoes stops for a photo on a winter day.

1930s vintage photo of a young man in a 1930s suit, black and white shoes and a 1930s hat posing for a photo.

Source: Etsy

What a stylish group of women, man and child. The 1930s hats are just wonderful and of course so are all their outfits.

1930s vintage photo of Asian women and a young girl and one man in 1930s fashions.

Source: Pinterest

1939 photo of a couple posing together in a garden. How cute is our ladies Tam hat?

1930s vintage photo of a man and woman in 1930s fashions from 1939 posing together in a garden

Source: Etsy

Lindy Hop at the Savoy Ballroom. Some fantastic 1930s outfits to admire in this photo. From the stripped socks on our lead, to the cute 1930s shoes on our follows. This image has it all!

1930s vintage photo of Black Lindy Hoppers dancing at the Savoy Ballroom in 1930s fashions.

“June 1936, Grace” poses in front of a her front steps to take a photo of her outfit of the day before heading out for some fun.

I like her confidence in this image, so that is why I decided to share it, even though her outfit is not the clearest.

1930s vintage photo of a young woman in a 1930s coat and 1930s dress posing in front of her house.

Source: Etsy

What do I love about this outfit? I think it’s the vertical lines on the dress and the pretty eyelet blouse. It just goes so well together. Feels very Art Deco.

1930s vintage photo of a pretty young Black Woman in a stunning 1930s top and matching skirt (or possibly a 1930s dress). Fantastic 1930s Fashion on display.

Source: Pinterest

“Bea, Me, Anne -January 1938”. Another lovely example of some of the coats style available in the late 1930s for women.

1930s vintage photo of three young women in 1930s coats one being a fur coat posing together. Great 1930s fashions

Source: Etsy

I hope you enjoyed taking a look at how regular people (aka not the movie stars) dressed in the 1930s. Share your favourite image / outfit in the comments section below. Also please make sure you check out my other fashions image posts at the link below.

Further Reading:

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz