Life in Allentown during the 1950's was pretty easy, compared to nowadays. Whether you were an office worker or factory worker, there were plenty of jobs. Whether you lived in the west end or center city, all the neighborhoods were clean, well maintained and relatively crime free. The school system was the envy of the county, and people finagled to get their children enrolled in it. Allentown High School had championship teams in multiple sports, and the football stadium was one of the most lavish high school stadiums in the country. The park system was the subject of numerous picture postcards. Likewise, downtown was widely known, with Hess's being a destination. All the above attributes would stay in place throughout the 1960's, into the early 70's.
I bill this blog as the intersection of politics and history in Allentown, and the greater Lehigh Valley. Although I will continue to speak out on current events of concern, I suspect that this page will turn more and more to history. Perhaps nostalgia is so appealing because the current reality is so disillusioning.
Although my archive of older Allentown pictures is extensive, I invited Ozzie and Harriet Nelson to illustrate this post.
reprinted from July of 2016
Many have viewed the decline of the cities as a story of mismanagement and poor decisions, but as we see the escalation of this decline and hearing the reasoning behind the decisions, we must conclude that this is all intentional.
ReplyDeleteFirst the destruction of the cities, then targeted states, then America.
I suspect the intentional creating of dependency and more government control and power.
Sadly the younger generations will no longer have anything to compare their existence to, I suspect that is the motive of your articles.
Ray's reply was as good or better than the original post. Thank you.
DeleteI recall a number of students actually paying full tuition to attend ASD schools.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in that era. It was a great area, almost like a dream compared to today. I suppose if you never personally experienced Allentown in it''s glory days all the cold impersonal structures lining downtown seem fine.
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