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I’m not sure why, but when I think of Iowa — my Iowa, at least! — I cannot imagine a thriving pop culture scene, especially for teenagers. I guess I’m influenced by what my parents have told me; in fact, my sister was once doing a report on the ’50s and thought she might call my aunts, Janie and Patsy, who were teens in the age of rock and roll. However, because my family is from the country, my mom was quick to dispel that idea: “They weren’t into anything cool! They didn’t know about Elvis!” (Haaaa.)
So, when I saw these LIFE Magazine photos of teen life in Des Moines, Iowa in 1947, I was pleasantly surprised to see cute sweater sets, co-ed mingling (in cars!), slumber parties and even spin the bottle. (Granted, Des Moines is “the city” in Iowa, so, there ya go.) I stand corrected! That soda shop is bumpin’.
And I’m always enamored of any teen girl with glasses — wear ‘em proud! — and the girl with all the bracelets is just so cute and fashionable. Love her.
[Via LIFE Archive]
These are wonderful! I would totally want to be the girl with the glasses and bracelets! Wish we could find out what’s she’s doing now. Probably something super fashionable!
This is how I envisioned my life as a wisconsin teenager when I was a kid – haha. The real teenage years for me were much less glamourous.
The girl with bracelets and glasses looks a lot like my mom in the 60s. I love it! And the soda shop is bumpin’ haha classic.
These are the best.
the soda jerk has two-tone lofers on. WAAAAAY COOOL!
want that deer sweater!
i WANT those dear sweaters..
On the 3rd picture of the girl – at first I wasn’t sure if the braids were some sort of hair accessory but not that I look again, I think it’s her real hair. That’s some complex hair styling and I bet it took two people do it.
I, too, wonder what’s become of the girl with the Southwestern bracelets. Is she managing the Georgia O’Keefe ranch in Santa Fe? Practicing psychotherapy–dressed all in black–in NYC? Babysitting grandkids and teaching at Maharishi U. in Fairfield? Thanks, TeenAngster, for sharing these great pics from my home territory.
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