Brooklyn Photos From the 50s and 60s

Gothamist has put together a album of photos from 1922, New York City's so-called "Gilded Age."

That inspired us to see what we could find from from Brooklyn's 50s and 60s -- an era we haven't covered much here at McBrooklyn. Here are a few photos from the Library of Congress and the Municipal Archives. We've linked to the original sources, and there are more links at the bottom of this post.

P.S. 58 - Carroll and Smith Streets, Brooklyn hold a "take cover" drill practice. Library of Congress; Photo by Walter Albertin.

It was amazing that everyone believed that this would help when the big one hit. This "take cover" practice was probably associated with the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Mothers protesting (schools) on Borough Hall steps. NYC Municipal Archives

These moms were protesting a school-related issue, sort of a 50s version of Occupy Borough Hall. Except nobody's spraying them with pepper spray.

Teenage gang members arrested in fatal shooting of Brooklyn youth. Library of Congress. 1959

Tough guys. They're probably around 70 years old today, if they're still alive.

African American woman being carried to police patrol wagon during demonstration in Brooklyn. 1960s. Library of Congress.

Probably a civil rights protest. (Brooklyn CORE is said to be one of the first chapters to implement the tactic of peaceful arrest by going limp, or lying down and refusing to move.)

Brownsville market, Belmont Avenue, Brooklyn Library of Congress.

Notice the bags for 97 cents.

Website that cover Brooklyn in the 50s include Brooklyn Memories; Retronaut; and ActiveRain.  Also check out the Municipal Archives and the Library of Congress.