On Thursday I will be heading to NYC for the weekend with my husband for a big German event called the “Steuben Parade” that we happen to be participates in. It’s going to be an amazing experience and I cannot wait and I also cannot wait to go back to one of my favorite cities in the world, NYC. I love this city so very much and every time I set foot in it, I feel like I’m at home.

So while I pack for the city that never sleeps I thought I would share some cool vintage photos I found online of NYC. Enjoy!

Vintage Photos of New York City

1940’s vintage photo of a New York City Street in 1941.

As a Lindy Hopper I love this picture “Dancing Girls in Harlem 1938”.

1930s vintage photo of Black dancing girls in harlem NY in 1938.

Penn Station 1940’s. How romantic is this hello or goodbye? I think it’s a Goodbye.

1940s vintage photo of a couple kissing in Penn Station during WW2. He is a soldier and she is dressed 1940s fashions.

1940s vintage photo of a stylish woman walking down a NYC street in 1940s clothing. Love the look of the girl on the side with that Snood? Fantastic!

Since the weather just may be somewhat nice this weekend, I think I could totally pull this off…if I had the clothes that is:)

A pretty young woman in the 1940s sitting on the famous stoops of New York. Isn’t she gorgeous??

What movie star is this? Let me know in the comments section below. ANSWER: Lizabeth Scott

1940s vintage photo of a 1940s woman sitting on the steps of a home in New York City in a plaid 1940s two piece suit.

I love everything about this photo-1950s vintage photo of women waiting to go into a photobooth.

Further Reading:

1950s vintage photo of women in 1950s fashions (1950s dress, 1940s skirts and 1950s tops) waiting to go into a photo booth in New York City.

The Famous Cotton Club.

Vintage photo of the Cotton Club in New York City

The Famous Savoy Ballroom (I have been to the plaque that now stands where the hall once stood, see the next image).

Vintage Photo of the Savoy Ballroom Sign in Harlem, NYC.

Time Square 1938.

1930s vintage photo of Times Square in 1938.

“Skycrapers of New York City” vintage postcard. I adore Art Deco architecture and New York City has plenty of it.

Lastly I will leave you with one of my favorite musicals and scenes from that musical “On the Town – New York, New York”.

Have you ever been to New York City? Share your favourite places to visit, in the comments section below.

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

The Lindy Hop organization I’m part of (Toronto Lindy Hop) is doing a “School Spirit” theme night and while I was working on the invite banner I ended up finding some pretty amazing vintage cheerleading images and thought that it would make a great blog post. So here you go, some of my favorite vintage cheerleading images for your enjoyment (with some historical notes on the side). Go Team Go!

Cheerleading – The Vintage Photos

Brief Cheerleading History

Cheerleading was originally an all male sports in the late 1800’s. Characterized by gymnastics, stunts, and crowd leadership, cheerleading was considered equivalent in prestige to an American flagship of masculinity, football. As the editors of Nation saw it in 1911:

…the reputation of having been a valiant “cheer-leader” is one of the most valuable things a boy can take away from college. As a title to promotion in professional or public life, it ranks hardly second to that of having been a quarterback.*

Indeed, cheerleading helped launch the political careers of three U.S. Presidents. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Franklin Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan were cheerleaders. Actor Jimmy Stewart was head cheerleader at Princeton (“The Manly Origins of Cheerleading” by Lisa Wade, PHD).

It wasn’t until 1923 that the University of Minnesota introduced the first women cheerleaders at their sporting games. Although women continued to participate as cheerleaders in various parts of the USA after 1923, it wasn’t until the 1940s that women became the majority of cheerleading’s athletes during an era when the university men students left the country to fight in World War II. Today, women consist of more than 90% of the world’s cheerleaders (“History of Cheerleading” International Cheer Union”).

Vintage Cheerleading Photos

Late 1930’s Cheerleaders (1938). I want to be the girl in the front of this line…adorable!

1930s Vintage photo of 1938 Cheerleaders

1940’s Cheerleaders (1948). The pleated skirts are so fun!

1940s Vintage Photo of 1948 Cheerleaders-Men & Women in 1940s cheerleading uniforms.

1940s BCheerleaders vintage photo: E.E.Smith Senior High School 1948.

1940s Black Cheerleaders vintage photo: E.E.Smith Senior High School 1948 Vintage Yearbook photos

Ohhh pants on the cheerleaders-1950s vintage photo.

1950s vintage photo of 1950s Cheerleaders in 1950s cheerleading uniforms.

Saddle shoes!! My Fav!! Cute 1950s Cheerleaders!

1950's Cheerleading photo of three young women in 1950s cheerleading uniforms and saddle shoes posing for a photo at a game.

1950s Vintage Photo of Cheerleaders at Wayne State University.

By the 1960’s shorter skirts have made an appearance and I now think it must be way easier to do some of those pyramids with less material on the legs lol 🙂

1960s vintage photo of 1960s cheerleaders in 1960s Cheerleading uniforms.

photo credit: Beatrice Photos

Now I’m super inspired to try to recreate one of these cheerleading outfits for the dance but since I don’t have the best legs I will 100% be going with a longer skirt 🙂

Blog note: If you like the vintage sports images, I also have a bowling post as well.

Further Reading:

Vintage Photos 1920s-1960s (Archived blog posts)
Vintage School Posts (Archived blog posts)

Liz 🙂

Category: vintage images