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Incredible Vintage Photos Show What Brooklyn Looked Like in the 1950s

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Brooklyn fulfilled the industrial needs of the country during World War II. The post-war years saw rapid deindustrialization in Brooklyn. Heavy manufacturers began to move to cheaper locations in other cities, and the ports became less active as large container ships, requiring deep harbors, began to dominate the shipping trade. The Brooklyn dockyards were also largely abandoned.

In 1955, the Dodgers won the only World Series for Brooklyn against their rival New York Yankees. The event was marked by mass euphoria and celebrations. The Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1957. The streetcar service was discontinued on Brooklyn Bridge and other bridges in 1950.

Take a look at these stunning vintage photos that show Brooklyn in the 1950s.

#1 A Roman Catholic nun and a young boy enjoy a carnival ride at a church picnic in Brooklyn, New York City, 1955.

A Roman Catholic nun and a young boy enjoy a carnival ride at a church picnic in Brooklyn, New York City, 1955.

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#2 General view of rides at Steeplechase Park, Coney Island, New York City, 1950.

General view of rides at Steeplechase Park, Coney Island, New York City, 1950.

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#3 The monument at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, New York City, 1955.

The monument at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, New York City, 1955.

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#4 Fans celebrating Dodgers’ World Series victory’, 1955.

Fans celebrating Dodgers' World Series victory', 1955.

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#5 A snow-covered street of the district of Brooklyn, March 1956.

A snow-covered street of the district of Brooklyn, March 1956.

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#6 Actress Sophia Loren throwing a ball at a carnival, 1958.

Actress Sophia Loren throwing a ball at a carnival, 1958.

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#7 An American Revenue agent inspects 200 bags of sugar found in a Brooklyn warehouse which was capable of producing 2,500 gallons of illegal liqour a day, 1950.

An American Revenue agent inspects 200 bags of sugar found in a Brooklyn warehouse which was capable of producing 2,500 gallons of illegal liqour a day, 1950.

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#9 A passerby holds on to a tree for support as hurricane swept waves hammer the sea wall adjacent to the Belt Parkway near 72nd Street in Brooklyn.

A passerby holds on to a tree for support as hurricane swept waves hammer the sea wall adjacent to the Belt Parkway near 72nd Street in Brooklyn.

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#11 Fulton street scene with the RKO Albee showing ‘Journey To The Center Of The Earth’ In Brooklyn New York, 1955.

Fulton street scene with the RKO Albee showing 'Journey To The Center Of The Earth' In Brooklyn New York, 1955.

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#14 Bundled up against the cold, three elderly women play a game of cards in front of a bathhouse on the Coney Island boardwalk. December 11, 1959.

Bundled up against the cold, three elderly women play a game of cards in front of a bathhouse on the Coney Island boardwalk. December 11, 1959.

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#15 Students at Brooklyn School of Automotive Trades and members of the Automotive Custom Crafters Club are pledged to provide honest service to the motoring public without charge, 1956.

Students at Brooklyn School of Automotive Trades and members of the Automotive Custom Crafters Club are pledged to provide honest service to the motoring public without charge, 1956.

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#16 The pedestrian walkway of the bridge of Brooklyn. March 1956.

The pedestrian walkway of the bridge of Brooklyn. March 1956.

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#17 View from Brooklyn Side of Reconstructed Brooklyn Bridge, 1952.

View from Brooklyn Side of Reconstructed Brooklyn Bridge, 1952.

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#18 Brooklyn Battery Tunnel opening in 1951. It connects Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and northbound Brooklyn Queens Expressway.

Brooklyn Battery Tunnel opening in 1951. It connects Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and northbound Brooklyn Queens Expressway.

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#19 Super Intendent Harry McMullen, managing the apartment that Rudolf Invanovich Abel lived in.

Super Intendent Harry McMullen, managing the apartment that Rudolf Invanovich Abel lived in.

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#20 Fans watching a game between the Milwaukee Braves and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbet’s Field.

Fans watching a game between the Milwaukee Braves and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbet's Field.

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#21 Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan skyline taken from under the bridge on the Brooklyn side, New York City, 1950.

Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan skyline taken from under the bridge on the Brooklyn side, New York City, 1950.

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#22 Fans celebrating Dodgers’ World Series victory.

Fans celebrating Dodgers' World Series victory.

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#23 Southern Asian dancers Asoka and Sujata walking on a Brooklyn street, 1950.

Southern Asian dancers Asoka and Sujata walking on a Brooklyn street, 1950.

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#24 The cash registers are busy at Nathan’s famous hotdog stand in Coney Island, New York City, 1955.

The cash registers are busy at Nathan's famous hotdog stand in Coney Island, New York City, 1955.

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#25 An Italian-American man and his son washing their car in Brooklyn, New York City, 1956.

An Italian-American man and his son washing their car in Brooklyn, New York City, 1956.

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#26 An Italian-American buying some fruit on a stall in the 38th Street in Brooklyn, 1956.

An Italian-American buying some fruit on a stall in the 38th Street in Brooklyn, 1956.

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#27 Students of John Marshall Jr. High school attending funeral of George Goldfarb, 1958.

Students of John Marshall Jr. High school attending funeral of George Goldfarb, 1958.

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#28 A child is learning to convert neigborhood garbage dumps into a pleasant flower gardens, New York City, 1955.

A child is learning to convert neigborhood garbage dumps into a pleasant flower gardens, New York City, 1955.

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#29 New York Governor Averell Harriman is surrounded by crowds as he leaves a store in one of Brooklyn’s busiest shopping centers, 1958.

New York Governor Averell Harriman is surrounded by crowds as he leaves a store in one of Brooklyn's busiest shopping centers, 1958.

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#30 Baseball crowds at Ebbets Field, Giants vs. Dodgers, 1951.

Baseball crowds at Ebbets Field, Giants vs. Dodgers, 1951.

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#32 Ferrying bow taken from the Hornet barge bringing Wasp’s new front from Brooklyn to Bayonne, 1952.

Ferrying bow taken from the Hornet barge bringing Wasp's new front from Brooklyn to Bayonne, 1952.

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#33 Children paddle boating on lake in Prospect Park lake in Brooklyn, 1955.

Children paddle boating on lake in Prospect Park lake in Brooklyn, 1955.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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