Old streetcars (aka trolleys or trams) are more than just vintage transportation — they’re a window into our past. Streetcars helped shape American cities, and
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Leland Stanford, Jr University in California – now known just as Stanford – was created to honor a young boy’s death. His parents so grieved his loss, they put millions into creating a college in his name.
Disneyland in the 1980s was one of the ultimate vacation destinations for people of all ages. See some of the maps and materials they were using to promote their attractions — old and new!
Have a look at beautiful vintage landscape photography featuring various natural wonders of the US — as seen around the turn of the last century.
Looking back at 7-Up history, you can see that it’s a testament to the lemon-lime soft drink’s popularity that the brand could weather so many stumbling blocks – not the least of which included being introduced right before the Great Depression.
Find out how some of the earliest color photography was created using potato starch!
What was 1950s train travel like, back when riding the railroad was more affordable – and sometimes more luxurious – than airplane travel? Here’s a look back at the fine dining, sleeper cars, a pub and more.
It’s incredible to see how awesome — in size, in design, in popularity — old-fashioned indoor swimming pools could be. Here, take a look at 10 gorgeous pools from days gone by!
We found a treasure trove of letters to Santa dating back to the 1930s (and they are adorable!). Come see what kids were asking for back in the day.
Spreckels Mansion – aka The Sugar Palace – was a completely over-the-top late Victorian home, was the luxurious residence of one of San Francisco’s wealthiest men at the time. Take a look back at the original version of this house!
When you scroll through these wonderful pictures of old Pasadena from around the turn of the century, you can practically imagine strolling these elegant tree-lined streets, and seeing Victorian mansions, schools and libraries up close.
What was the Disney World opening like? See how it looked and get some facts and figures about Disney’s grand opening here.
Of his famous movie “The Birds,” director Alfred Hitchcock said, ‘It could be the most terrifying motion picture I have ever made!’ And for many thousands of people, it was. Find out more about the 60s film here.
Millions of people in San Francisco’s East Bay drive by the iconic Orinda Theatre every year, with its neon sign easily visible from the freeway. So what’s its story? Find out more about this California landmark here!
Take a look back at actress Elizabeth Montgomery — from the early days of her career in 1955 up until her 1972 heyday!
Do you remember how homes looked in the 1970s? Not the model homes but the real, houses everyday people lived in? Here, take a 1970s home tour, featuring photos not published before!
Lake Almanor’s great beauty and immense expanse captivate the imagination. Amidst the pine forests, when built, it was the largest power reservoir in the United States. Here’s a little of its history!
Sambo’s Restaurants were popular in the ’60s and ’70s. But as much as people loved the diners, the company name was always a problem. Here’s why.
Warm up with a look back at 30 different beautiful vintage fireplaces that were once found in homes across the US.
What was Walter Matthau’s house like back in the ’70s? His wife Carol said that they gave it a country look and country feeling. Take a peek inside!
These gorgeous vintage in-ground swimming pools go beyond the basic – with unusual shapes, specialty finishes, and other refreshingly retro ideas.
Take a look at these modest old-fashioned swimsuits for men and women, seen on real beachgoers and early movie actresses, with many high-quality and colorized vintage photos!
Some of the most iconic images of the Great Depression were the migrant mother photos of a woman named Florence Thompson, taken by Dorothea Lange. While one picture was famous, there were several other shots taken at the same time. See them here!
We have heard Mathis’ voice for years – but who’s the man behind that rich, smooth sound? Find out more about this extraordinarily talented singer here, and see Johnny Mathis as he lived in his Hollywood home back in the 1970s.
From the middle of the destruction after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, these detailed accounts of the damage were published in the city’s newspaper the very next morning.
The history of Levi’s jeans shows that the power of a really good idea – like super-durable clothing that people like to wear – can make for a business that stays strong for more than 160 years.
Take a look back at vintage Knott’s Berry Farm – the California amusement park known as a Disneyland alternative, but one that boasted its very own ghost town.
CHiPS, a light-hearted one-hour action-adventure series, follows the exploits of a pair of young California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers on the busy Los Angeles freeways, and their encounters with the infinite variety of people who drive there.
These vintage images of the 19th century San Francisco skyline vividly portray how the California city by the Bay changed over a few short decades in the 1800s. Take a look back at how the city grew and grew and grew.
Gus Wagner, one of the first tattoo professionals, and with him on the circus sideshow marquee was his wife Maud Wagner, the famous Tattooed Woman.
In the late 1930s, aviator Amelia Earhart mysteriously vanished on her flights around the globe. See original newspaper reports at the time of her disappearance and a look back at the mystery 25 years later.
What was vintage ’80s tech like? The Good Guys were a big consumer electronics specialty retailer selling brand-name audio and video gear. See the hottest retro TVs, stereos and more from 1987!
Anita Shops was a small but popular shop for women’s clothes, starting in the ’50s through the ’70s. Here’s a look at some of their vintage fashions!
In both 1975 and 1978, singer Helen Reddy took national magazine photographers on tours of her California home, which was full of music, plants and country charm. Here’s a look inside!
Take a look back at how Marine World Africa USA, the huge theme park/zoo located north of San Francisco, looked back when it opened back in 1986!
1960s California & Los Angeles were a popular vacation destination for folks who wanted sunshine, beaches, and fun — and perhaps a brush with celebrity.
Here is how the builders of this ’50s small-home design made the most of the space they had available! Take a look at the vintage decor and floorplan here.
Here, take a look back at old Lake Tahoe – the big, beautiful lake that has been a popular vacation spot for generations.
Take a 1950s home tour of a ‘junior five’ near San Francisco – a small house that had an entry stairway that starts at garage level and leads up to five rooms – bedrooms, kitchen, garage and more.
Known as the speaking clock or POPCORN, calling the phone company for the time was a handy service helped people reset clocks years ago.
Here’s a look at Cary Grant’s home – a 2-story, 12-room stucco house on the exclusive beach at Santa Monica, where the famous actor lived in the 1940s.
Even today, there are ships buried under downtown San Francisco that you might walk over, on land reclaimed from the Bay thanks to the Gold Rush.
See what it took to get the Golden Gate Bridge built, plus see dozens of pictures of the construction, and the celebration when it finally opened in 1937.
Camp Roberts, in central California, was one of the military’s top training sites during World War II. Here’s a peek at what life was like there.
In 1906, a short film called ‘A Trip Down Market Street’ ended up being a valuable record of old San Francisco just before the huge earthquake and fire destroyed much of the city.
Inside the rambling 160-room Winchester Mystery House, doors lead into blank walls, staircases end in midair, trap doors spring to the floors below, and elevators rise through the roof.
Hot off her big role in The Breakfast Club, Ally Sheedy played spoiled Beverly Hills rich girl Jessie Montgomery in the comedy Maid to Order.
This unusual home in the hills of Oakland, California is tree house – with a modernist design – belonging to Dave Brubeck, known as ‘Mr. Jazz’ to his fans.
This popular fast food chain started small in the ’50s, but grew the business & kept the menu small. Look back at vintage Taco Bell restaurants & food here!
Look back at more than 200 vintage license plates issued through the 20th century – including ones for every American state & territory – plus some special plates, too.
Dinah Shore’s home in Beverly Hills is where the popular star relaxes with friends for good talk, good food, good tennis and good times. See inside her house from ’60s & the ’70s!
What were jitterbugs jiving to in the late ’30s & early ’40s? For one, the Lindy Hop dance, with hundreds of individual steps, breaks and mutations inspired by American music.
