13 Vintage Photos of Summer Merriment in Memphis

13 Vintage Photos of Summer Merriment in Memphis

In honor of Summer (which officially starts on Friday), I spent the morning combing the Memphis & Shelby County Library's digital archives for vintage photos of summertime in Memphis. Here are 13 of my favorites:

The Overton Park Shell, circa 1975:

Overton_Park_Shell

Proof from the 1970s that Overton Park has always been Overton Park:

Youth_in_the_park

Kids on the diving board at the Orange Mound Swimming Pool:

Orange_Mound_Swimming_Pool

These women (on a ride at the Fairgounds) look like they're having a better time than all of us:

Fairgrounds_Ride

I had to pick this photo because the caption is "The Safety Dance". The Safety Dance was part of the Memphis Street Railway Co.'s "Safety Party" in 1952.

Safety_Dance

On the other hand, this doesn't look terribly safe:

Screen Shot 2013-06-18 at 9.47.30 AM

Kids on the carousel at the Fairgrounds (1952):

Children_on_the_Grand_Carousel

Here's summer at Maywood, the Beach Within Reach, in 1964:

Maywood

Tons of kids, frolicking in a field:

Field_dancing

The Fun Slide at the Raleigh Circus looks pretty fun:

Fun_Slide__Raleigh_Circus

I want to join this coproate softball team: 

Swing_batter

Check out more vintage photos of Memphis in the Memphis Public Library's digital archives.

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Renee Wilson
Great photo's!!
June 18, 2013 10:33am
- Backyard Getaway
[...] 13 Vintage Photos of Summer Merriment in Memphis – I Love Memphis [...]
June 18, 2013 10:39am
Erinn Figg
Oh my gahhhhhh – that rollercoaster pic! Is that the Zippin Pippin?
June 18, 2013 11:55am
Josh
did yall notice the small child with women on the fair ride? Hold on little one!
June 18, 2013 3:27pm
marjorie
The two ladies on the ride are holding a baby! Yikes.
June 18, 2013 3:42pm
Caitlin @ Fron…
LOVE the fairground pics, oh my!
June 19, 2013 7:14am
Bret
Kerry - can you post some more historical information about Maywood? Everyone I know who grew up here says it was awesome. I got to Memphis in the late 80's and completely missed out on it.  Some history would be appreciated!
June 19, 2013 3:32pm