Good Old Days of Growing Up in the 1950s

I have many fond memories of growing up as a child in the 1950s in Wisconsin. The 1960s saw many changes including a family move to Texas.

Childhood Days

My mind flew back to the carefree days of my childhood in the countryside of Wisconsin during the 1950s when I read the following question posed by a fellow writer on another writing site. What moments of your life do you call your "good old days" and why?

When I read the stories of other people who suffered during their childhood years due to neglect, circumstances, or blatant abuse, my heart saddens.

A child does not have any choice in the manner of his birth, his parentage and most other things, and cannot effect many changes until he or she is much older.

Looking back upon my childhood, I know how fortunate I was to be surrounded by a loving family who taught me and my younger brothers the important things in life, and at the same time were able to provide a great setting.

My parent's home next door to my grandmother.

My grandmother's home on left and to the right the cottage my parents owned (hidden by the trees).

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Summer Cottage

I was too young to remember the first home that my parents owned. It was one of the cottages next door to my paternal grandmother's house on Okauchee Lake.

My dad worked on winterizing it while they stayed there. It was a summer cottage rented out during the warm months of the year. It was one of many cottages my grandfather had built as income property after building the home for his bride, who became my grandmother.

I remember my mother telling me that she sometimes had to wear what she called her stadium boots inside of the house in the winter to keep warm in the beginning.

There was a steep hill down to the lake and a busy road out in front of the house.

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

My parents next purchased 3 acres of land from my maternal grandparents who owned quite a few acres in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. My mother and dad hand-built the first home that I truly remember. About the only thing my dad hired to be done was the electrical work. They did all of the rest of the construction.

I remember the additions to the home as my mother and dad added the garage and later the breezeway between the garage and house. In subsequent years, a sunroom was added to the back of the house. The last major thing accomplished was the building out of the basement into three sections.

One part of the basement was my mother's laundry area. Two sides of that room had built-in cabinets that held all of the home-canned fruits and vegetables harvested from my grandfather's garden, plus a big freezer. My mother and grandmother worked together when it came to the canning of fruits and vegetables. When it came to making sauerkraut, both my parents and grandparents worked together on that project. How I loved sampling the sauerkraut as it was fermented!

My dad had his workroom down in the basement with all kinds of carpentry tools, table saws, and the like. Not only did he build our home, but also some of our furniture as well.

A recreation room complete with tables and booths, our ping pong table, a small root cellar off of this room, and a sectioned-off furnace pretty well describes the rest of our basement.

Home in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

The front of the first home that I remember as a child.

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The main floor held a big family-sized kitchen where we ate most of our meals. It also had a dining room with corner cabinets, a living room with a large picture window facing the backyard, three bedrooms, and one bathroom, plus the eventual sunroom added to the back of the house.

My brothers shared a bedroom. Along one wall, my dad had built a long surface meant as a desk with two cubicles cut out for their chairs and shelving alongside those cut-outs, which took the place of needing a dresser. Above it was shelving for books and other things that boys collect, such as the model airplanes they built. Some of those airplanes were also suspended on strings hanging down from the ceiling.

Early family photos from the 1950s

My brother John (in the cowboy outfit), me and my brother Jim. Back then they were called Johnny and Jimmy.

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Countryside

Much of this land in the countryside consisted of fields surrounded by wooded areas. My parents mowed and maintained 1 1/2 acres as a lawn area, and the rest was left as the field.

In a portion of the adjacent field still belonging to my grandparents, they mowed an area into a baseball diamond in the summertime each year. It was there, when we were old enough, we were taught how to play the game of baseball and had many good times doing just that with not only our family but our visiting relatives as well.

We did not have regulation-sized teams, but we had fun pitching, swinging bats, and running to the bases when we hit a ball. There was lots of laughter and some good old-fashioned fun.

There were few kids in the area until later on when my grandfather started selling off some parcels of land.

We had a path in the field between my parent's and grandparent's homes. There was no need to keep it mowed due to our frequent visits back and forth accompanied by our dogs which were our constant companions.

I loved my grandparents with all of my heart. They always took time out of their day to talk to us, explain and teach us things with love and respect. I know that I can speak for my brothers (who are now gone) in that they never made us feel childish or that any of our questions were silly. You know how inquisitive children can be!

Eventually they sold the big house and purchased one right next door to us that had been built.

Getting to have sleep-overs at their house was always done one child at a time. We felt so honored and special during that one on one time!

Of course we saw them every day except during the winters after Christmas when they headed south for extended vacations. We could hardly wait until they returned in the Spring! They were truly like a second set of parents to my brothers and me!

Growing up in the country...1950s

Pets

My parents always had pets which included dogs and cats.

In the photo above, my cousin and I are holding Archie and Willie, the cats that we quite often dressed up in doll cloths. It was Willie that escaped to the top of a telephone poll in our backyard one day attired with a child's bonnet and dress. It took some effort to get him back down the pole, poor guy! Haha!

My grandparent's dog Mamie is to the front in that photo (named after Mamie Eisenhower).

My mother also had a yellow canary in a cage in our kitchen that she named Pancho. I can still hear Pancho, followed by Pancho number two and then three, each singing their hearts out in that kitchen in my memory. It was a cheerful sound and accompanied my mother's humming and singing as she baked her homemade loaves of bread and prepared all the meals for our growing family.

Our cocker spaniel named Rusty

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Playhouse

My dad also built a playhouse in the backyard for us.

My aunt and uncle and their three boys often came on weekends, especially during the summer months for visits. They lived in Madison, Wisconsin. Quite often they would spend the night at my grandparent's home and we kids eagerly looked forward to those frequent visits.

We had trees to climb, bikes to ride, pets to play with, a sandbox and swing-set in the backyard in which to play...and the playhouse. If the weather was bad we had other things to do like roller skating in the basement, playing with hula hoops, playing jacks and a myriad of other things.

My cousins, brothers and me in the playhouse my dad built for us. This was prior to it being finished with actual windows and a door.

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Cousins

I had some other cousins in Milwaukee and some that lived way out in New Jersey. We did not get to see and play with the ones in New Jersey often because of the distance between us.

We saw my cousins who lived in Milwaukee most often at my grandmother's home on Okauchee Lake when they would come out in the summertime for some swimming fun. We had the lake at my grandmother's to swim and ice skate in the winter months. Life was great in the country!

My family in June of 1958. My brother John is holding his first Holy Communion candle.

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Catholic Faith

We were raised in the Catholic faith, and after my dad helped build the parochial school next to the church in which my parents and my aunt and uncle (from Madison) had their double wedding, we three kids attended that school. I loved it!

Sister Lucas was the principal and was just about as big as a minute. The playground was separated into the girls' and boys' sections, and Sister Lucas would roll up her sleeves and, with her habit flowing in the breeze, play ball and other games with us during recess.

She also had her "board of education," which was a paddle for misbehaving kids. A well-aimed swat on the behind was occasionally administered to kids in front of the class. If and when that ever happened (which was rare), the kids got more punishment at home from their parents for the reported school infractions.

Those were the days of corporal punishment, which was deemed appropriate. Dr. Spock had not yet influenced an entire generation of parents who decided that reasoning with a child was better than an occasional swat on the behind to get their attention.

Each school day was started by attending Mass and then moving next door to the school.

Father Whelan was beloved by the entire town whether they belonged to the Catholic faith or not. Those were the days of Mass being conducted in Latin, and only the sermon was in English. Our prayer books had Latin on one side and English on the other, so it was easy to follow along.

Every Sunday without fail, we attended Mass as a family. Occasionally if we were in a real hurry, we would attend a Mass at a nearby monastery where they did not preach a sermon. At that monastery, they made the best cheese which helped to make them self-supporting.

My cousin had his first Holy Communion at the same time as mine. Here we are looking very serious and prayerful for the photo taken in our yard in Oconomowoc. May 1956.

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Picnics

All summer long, we had many picnics in the backyard with extended family members in attendance.

My dad generally did the grilling of hot dogs, bratwurst, and hamburgers. My mother and grandmother made all of the accompanying dishes like potato salad, coleslaw, homemade pickles, applesauce, and spiced peaches. Sometimes my aunt would bring things from Madison to add to the assortment of edibles.

I remember the fun we had for dessert when we had watermelons in season. We had contests to see how far we could spit the watermelon seeds! It was kind of like learning how to skip rocks along the water to see how far they could go before sinking to the bottom. There was an art to spitting the watermelon seeds the furthest. Ha-ha!

Family picnics in the 1950s

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Stay-At-Home Mom

My brothers and I had the pleasure and advantages of having a stay-at-home mom. That was much more the norm back in the 1950s compared to today.

She did all of the household chores (with some help from us when we got older) and had the time and interest to be a scout leader for the Brownies and Girl Scouts, and she also led Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops.

She was an active participant in school and church activities and was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to relatives, friends, and neighbors. My mother was a terrific role model and taught us so much about the value of volunteerism.

My mother and youngest brother Jim

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The 1950s

Where we grew up in the countryside of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, during the 1950s, we kids had such a feeling of safety. We assumed at our young ages that everybody lived that way.

Few people ever locked their doors and windows. If the doors would be locked, most often, the key was under the mat or in a nearby flowerpot, and everyone pretty much did the same.

We could play outside until dark, and there were no worries about being kidnapped or molested. Never did such a thing even cross our minds!

Bumps and scrapes were tended with Mercurochrome or Campho-Phenique as well as a hug and a kiss.

Our dinner plates were filled with fresh vegetables out of the garden, along with a source of protein. Until we moved to Texas for the start of the school year in 1960, my brothers and I had never tasted store-bought bread. My mother baked a set number of loaves each week to keep our family lunch boxes filled with sandwiches made with her loving hands.

I remember laying down on the grass in the summer with my mother and brothers and looking up at the drifting clouds in the sky. We took turns guessing what we thought the shapes of the clouds resembled.

Sometimes we would hunt to see how many four-leafed clovers leaves we could find in our lawn.

Trying to catch fireflies at night was a challenge we seldom won. Ah, but the stars were bright in the night sky out in the country, and the air was fresh.

At night after a busy day at school or summer days filled with activities, we would kneel by our bedsides, say our prayers alongside our parents, and crawl into laundered sheets that were hung out to dry and had that wonderful fresh air smell. Sweet dreams ensued!

Family Christmas gatherings, 1960

My parents and brothers seated with both sets of grandparents on either side of our Christmas tree.

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Good Old Days

I could go on and on relating all the fun times we had with our family togetherness, the childhood games we played, the peace and security that we felt, the time for daydreaming that we had, and all of the family fun that we experienced living in the countryside of Wisconsin during the 1950s.

Is it any wonder that I think of those times as the "good old days"?

In The Good Old Summertime...one of the many songs we used to sing together as a family.

Locations in Wisconsin where my family lived during the time-frame of this hub.

© 2012 Peggy Woods

Comments are welcomed.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on May 28, 2021:

Hi Misbah,

I had written this piece long before Brenda's word challenges, but it seemed to fit, so I thought I would share it. I am so glad you liked it. Blessings to you and your family.

Misbah Sheikh from The World of Poets on May 27, 2021:

This is the most beautiful response to Brenda’s prompt challenge, Childhood. Yes? I enjoyed reading about your childhood days. You shared so many beautiful memories of your childhood it was so refreshing. I like your beautiful photos. You were so cute. I like reading about the family picnics as well. The picture of your beautiful family in June of 1958 is so lovely. Your maternal grandparent looks so cute

Thanks a lot for sharing this lovely piece

God bless you and keeps you safe

Lots of Love and Blessings to you and your family

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on May 27, 2021:

This post is in response to one of Brenda's weekly challenges. I wrote it long before she ever started her weekly word prompts.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on September 23, 2020:

Hi Paula,

Looking back, I realize that I was indeed blessed to have grown up in such a loving environment. I also liked the wide-open spaces of living in the country. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

Paula on September 23, 2020:

You are very fortunate to have had such wonderful childhood memories. Well written.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on September 22, 2020:

Hi sowspeaks,

So glad you enjoyed looking back to the days of living in the Wisconsin countryside in the 1950s. My parents and grandparents were terrific people! Thanks for your comment.

sowspeaks from Bengaluru on September 22, 2020:

Hi Peggy, you transported to me Wisconsin and I totally relished you’re descriptions and those adorable black and white unedited.. dare I say, that there was an innocence and simplicity to those days. You parents and grandparents seem like terrific people. Thoroughly enjoyed!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on September 02, 2020:

Hi Vanita,

If reading my account made you also think of your memorable childhood days, then it makes me happy. Thanks!

Vanita Thakkar on September 02, 2020:

Wow, Peggy !!

I had a great trip to Wisconsin country side of the 1950s .... lively description and beautiful photographs ....

Reminded me of my childhood days - very memorable ones ....

Thanks and love,

Vanita

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on August 16, 2020:

Hello thoughtprocess,

These childhood memories of mine are sweet ones. Thanks for your comment.

thoughtsprocess from Navsari (India) on August 15, 2020:

Sweet childhood memories. Thank you so much for sharing.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on February 04, 2019:

Hello Rebecca,

With regard to the coloring of my parent's German Shepherd named Sheba, I am afraid that you will have to find your answers elsewhere. Researching genetics as to the coloring of dogs is not my field of expertise. Good luck!

becsgsd on February 04, 2019:

Peggy, I am wondering if you can tell me more about your german shepherd, I raise them and I have had a few born the color yours was and I am trying to find out all I can about that specific coloring and where it comes from in the shepherd.

Rebecca

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on December 20, 2018:

Hi Paula,

So glad that this brought back happy memories for you as well. We did grow up in a good time period and I would not trade it for anything. Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and a happy and peaceful new year ahead. Thanks for your comment.

Suzie from Carson City on December 19, 2018:

Peggy.....I totally affirm....our childhood was the BEST! Memories, a pure treasure and Photos, simply priceless. What a beautiful family you call your own!

I wouldn't trade our era for anything!! I confess to still "being there," quite often.....with no apologies!!

Thanks for this wonderful read, Peggy. I'm feeling all nostalgic and a bit weepy! Wishing you a perfect Holiday Season. Peace, Paula

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on December 19, 2018:

Hi Rajan,

It is nice that reading this post about my childhood memories made you think of yours. Yes, those bygone days remain firmly planted in our minds and are a part of who we are.

Rajan Singh Jolly from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on December 18, 2018:

Good old days! Indeed, the best time of our life is childhood and those memories are etched forever in our psyche. Watching the photos and reading your memories transported me back to the fun and frolic times I had as a child. Thank you for making me relive those glorious, never to come back, days, months and years.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 21, 2017:

Hi Patricia,

Yes I am so happy to be able to reminisce about those days of growing up with my family. I was really blessed! As to sheets hung out on a line in the sun and being dried...no dryer sheet can quite replicate that wonderful smell. Thanks for your comment.

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on November 21, 2017:

O yes...you cannot be intoxicated by the fresh scent of the sheets that hung on the line in the fresh air and sunshine. Our sheets always looked as if they had been ironed after hours in the outdoors. Great photos...so many memories....aren't you glad you have these help you to reminisce about days gone by?

Angels once again headed your way ps

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on April 25, 2017:

Hi Candida,

It is interesting how you found my article because of dressing for First Holy Communion. Nice that you had a similar situation when growing up. It certainly does make for fond memories! Thanks for your comment.

Candida on April 23, 2017:

Dear Peggy - Thank you so much for sharing your childhood memories. I remember a time too--my childhood was in the early 60's between Princeton and Lawrenceville, NJ. I miss how important family was in those days, and how we cherished our time playing outside and rolling in grass and climbing trees. Seems no one does that anymore. Your pictures reminded me of all that and it's a wonderful feeling to remember. Thank you.

PS - I stumbled on this because I Googled "historic pictures of First Holy Communion" (working on my Altar Rosary newsletter). God bless.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on October 13, 2016:

Hi Glenis Rix,

I truly was blessed to have such a great family. I cherish those memories. Thanks for your comment.

Glen Rix from UK on October 11, 2016:

Your childhood sounds idyllic, Peggy. And how nice is must have been to live next door to your grandparents. The photographs are clearly of a very happy and united family. It's very impressive that you Dad built the house that you lived in.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on March 22, 2015:

Hi tillsontitan,

Since your childhood was much like mine except for the setting, we can both look back at those days with fond memories. We were both very fortunate and blessed compared to others who did not have what we experienced with our loving families, etc.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on March 21, 2015:

Hi Patricia,

My grandparents also had apple trees and berry bushes and both my parents and especially my grandparents had loads of flowering bushes and flowers. It is nice hearing that you have similar memories of your childhood. Thanks for the votes and share. :))

Mary Craig from New York on March 20, 2015:

Oh dear, you've certainly stirred the good pot. So many shared memories though I lived in Queens, NY. We roller skated in the street, went to Catholic school and Mass every day. My grandparents didn't live next door but we saw them frequently. I, too, had a stay at home Mom.

I could go on but you get the idea. Fun hub to read Peggy. Thanks for the memories.

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on March 20, 2015:

O Peggy so much of this was like my very own youth. The family visiting on the weekends bringing cousins in tow....the playhouse and many other memories come flooding back as I slip back in time.

We had lots of land with tons of veggies and fruits being grown; and a sea of flowers, flower beds and gardens of flowers covered the land....what a lovely time it was.

In the good ole summertime is right...I do believe it was a kinder, gentler time....

What a lovely walk down memory lane, Peggy.

Voted up++++ and shared

Please know that you are being surrounded by Angels right now ps

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on February 01, 2015:

Hi Joe,

I am so glad that you liked this. Alas, we do not have children...only the 4 legged furry ones.

Joe Fiduccia from Monroe County, PA on February 01, 2015:

This is incredible! Have you thought about documenting this information and these photos somewhere digitally? A place where your great, great grandkids can also find and read the same story?

You should definitely consider it. This is too much valuable info to be lost in the depths of time.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on September 30, 2013:

Hi Peg,

Nice to know that we have similar memories of growing up back in that time frame. Glad you liked this.

Peg Cole from North Dallas, Texas on September 30, 2013:

What a delightful collection of memories you've shared here. Peggy, this was like looking into my own family album. In nearly all of our pictures, the family dog played an integral part. My brother wore a Cub Scout uniform just like in the pic you've shared and Dad was the Den Father. I had to laugh out loud at the cat that went up the pole wearing a bonnet. And your parents, what a beautiful couple - they look so young. Mine were married in 1945 - we share so much in common memories.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on May 27, 2013:

Hello NewHorizons,

Happy to hear that reading this hub brought back your own childhood memories. Thanks for your comment.

Joseph Attard from Gozo, Malta, EU. on May 26, 2013:

Very beautiful and fascinating Hub. I love these old photos. Although I live in a very far away place from Wisconsin they make me remember my childhood days too. Thanks.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on May 26, 2013:

Hi Suzanne,

The kids of today will never have it as carefree as we did in most cases because of changes in society and the world. That is sad. Childhood should be a time of fun, discovery, growth and development of one's interests and character. Thanks for the votes and share.

justmesuzanne from Texas on May 26, 2013:

Lovely childhood memories! It is really shocking and dismaying how much the world has changed. I grew up in the 60s and 70s (the Wonder Years). The best thing about my childhood was that kids could and were expected to leave the house early in the morning and stay out until dark! Nobody bothered us. Nobody knew where we were! We weren't afraid! We climbed trees and rode bikes and caught crawdads and fish and turtles and didn't come home until it was too dark to see! Kids couldn't possibly do that these days, and it's a crying shame! Voted up, awesome and shared! :)

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on March 10, 2013:

Hi Kathryn,

Nice to know that you enjoyed my memories of my childhood in Wisconsin. Enjoyed hearing about yours as well. Will have to look up where Exeland is located. I am not familiar with it. Appreciate your comment.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on March 10, 2013:

Hi epigramman,

Except for my husband (and hoping that he lives a good long life!), I also would only have our 2 cats and my mother's dog. My parents and brothers have all preceded me in entering the next life. I had a dream about my mother last night which I do quite often. While it was somewhat crazy...it was nice feeling so close to her and being able to talk to her.

A psychologist would probably have fun trying to interpret my dreams. Ha! She was driving a tour bus filled with people on winding mountain roads with hairpin curves, a sheer drop-off and a lovely lake below. The crazy thing was that she did very little driving. I always drove on our vacations that we took together and when my dad was alive, he did most of the driving. She would only do a minimum of driving...going to the grocery store, etc. She managed quite well in my dream. Crazy...right?

Hope your memories keep you warm and happy. It is raining down here in Houston today which is a shame. This is the weekend of the Azalea Trail as well as another day of the Rodeo. Usually the Azalea Trail goes on for two weekends but for some reason, it is only scheduled for one weekend this year. Diehard azalea lovers will have to be out there with their umbrellas since most of the walking is in gardens outside.

Thanks for your comment. Give Mister Gabriel and Little Miss Tiffy and extra pat of attention from me.

Kathryn from Windsor, Connecticut on March 09, 2013:

That was such a pleasure to read! It is so nice to see all of those pictures, and hear your stories.

I have a great aunt from Wisconsin (although it's a different part as where you're from... in Exeland), and another great aunt that lives in Zion, IL, which seems to be fairly close. I have been to Illinois a couple of times, but not to Wisconsin since I was very little.

Thank you for sharing this with us, and for letting me know about this post. It is so much fun to read about childhoods.

Have a wonderful weekend!

epigramman on March 09, 2013:

What a lovely hub presentation Peggy and truly a labor of love on your behalf. I was reminded of that classic song by Barbara Streisand from the movie - The Way we were - and of course my own family albums, especially since my dear mum and dad are gone now and I live in this world without any family except for my beloved cats Mister Gabriel and Little Miss Tiffy

Always so nice to connect with me and thank you sincerely for your trip down memory lane and sending warm wishes and good energy to you from the three of us at lake erie time ontario canada 4:57pm where the sun has been shining but it's still early in March and a month to go until spring I would say

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on January 31, 2013:

Hi Vickiw,

Nice to know that we had similar backgrounds. The 1950's were "gentle" days as you said. It is amazing to think of things like the Internet compared to what some of us used to do back then...have pen pals. What a changed world from those days to now. Welcome to HubPages! Thanks for your comment.

Vickiw on January 31, 2013:

Hi Peggy, apologies for not getting round to you again sooner! I so enjoyed this hub. It reminded me of the good old days when I grew up as a member of a large family. I loved all that we learned in such a practical way, and have so many skills to use in life. It is great to have the opportunity now of following you, as we have a lot in common. I have only been on HP two months now, so still a newbie, and learning. Who would ever have thought in those bygone gentle days that we would be communicating with others on a daily basis all over the world?!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on January 20, 2013:

Hello livingsta,

So glad that you enjoyed these family photos that go back to the 1950's. Appreciate your comment, vote and the share.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on January 20, 2013:

Hi Au fait,

Times certainly were more simple back in the 1950's. Looking back I realize just how fortunate I was to have had the family that I did and also that background as a base for the life that went forward. I got permission from my living relatives who have their photos in this hub, and yes, it has been shared with them. So glad that you liked this enough to vote up and share with your followers. Thanks!

livingsta from United Kingdom on January 20, 2013:

Beautiful hub, with such beautiful photos, enjoyed seeing the pictures :)

Thank you for sharing, voted up and sharing!

C E Clark from North Texas on January 20, 2013:

Such a nice remembrance of times gone by! Great photos of a beautiful family! I hope you have shared this hub with all your relatives and friends so that they can enjoy looking back as well. Things were so much simpler then weren't they?

Voted up, and sharing with my followers!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on December 31, 2012:

Hi Shyron,

Sorry to hear that your childhood was not as ideal as was mine. I do realize that I was very blessed to have grown up in the family that I had. They have all passed on to the next life. Hard to believe that I am the last of my nuclear family especially since I had two younger brothers.

Shyron E Shenko from Texas on December 30, 2012:

Peggy, you are welcome. The stories about my childhood was Mama and the Prowler, and the Paranormal one and the one that I am writing right now, which is extremely hard, my childhood was not so mild.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on December 30, 2012:

Hello Shyron,

Thanks for your interest in this hub about growing up in the 1950's in the countryside of Wisconsin. Wondering if you have written any hubs about your childhood? Will go over to your hubs to see. Thanks for your comment and the votes.

Shyron E Shenko from Texas on December 30, 2012:

I loved reading about your family and looking at your pictures. This brought memories of my own childhood. But mostly we kids worked in the spring, summer and fall, and I hated winters. The house we lived in was cold and my favorite place was on top of the box for the firewood.

Voting you up, beautiful and interesting.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on October 30, 2012:

Hi lucybell21,

So glad to know that you enjoyed reading about my growing up during the 1950's and what it was like in the countryside of Wisconsin back then. Thanks for your comment.

Bonny OBrien from Troy, N.Y. on October 30, 2012:

I loved looking at all your family pictures, and reading your story. It was wonderful and refreshing!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on October 26, 2012:

Hi Bettyoverstreet10,

Sounds as though you also have some great memories of growing up in the 1950's...and in some beautiful areas as well. Thanks for your comment.

Betty (Alawine) Overstreet from Vacaville, Ca. on October 26, 2012:

Memories, aren't they great! I grew up in the 50s also and though there were bad times, I prefer to recall the good: swimming in the river, hikes in the hills of Oregon, playing in the desert of Calif, Picking wild strawberries in Northern Calif--I guess you can see I lived lots of places growing up!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on October 10, 2012:

Hi Linda (aka Sunshine625),

Too bad that you do not have more photos of your family. Were they not taken or were they destroyed in some kind of accident? We are lucky in that we still have so many of them after my parents had about 3 feet of water in their home after hurricane Beulah many years ago. It ruined so much that had to be tossed out. Of course other family members also had photos which then got shared with us. In turn, I have been sharing photos with a cousin who has put them all on a disc for safe keeping. I'm glad that you liked learning about my personal experience of growing up in the 1950's. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on October 10, 2012:

Hi Michelle,

While the 1950's may have come and gone, I would like to think that there are still some kids reared in good wholesome environments with loving family members surrounding them. A country setting is just about ideal for children from my perspective...although loving and caring parents top the list in order of importance. As the old saying goes..."Home is where the heart is." That is so true! Thanks for your comment, vote & share.

Linda Bilyeu from Orlando, FL on October 09, 2012:

Beautiful family photos. I envy you. I have maybe one or two, possibly three. Thank you for sharing your childhood with us :)

Michelle Liew from Singapore on October 09, 2012:

Thanks for sharing, Peggy, a truly wonderful time!! I can understand why you love it...it's hard to find such an environment these days. I vote up and share too!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on October 03, 2012:

Hi vox vocis,

Am sure that your childhood is interesting if you are going to incorporate some of it into your fantasy novel. Good luck with that project! Writing a novel must take a great deal of time and effort. Thanks for your comment on this hub about growing up in the 1950's.

Jasmine on October 03, 2012:

I haven't written about my childhood, but I may include some elements from my real life in the fantasy novel I'm working on :)

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on September 26, 2012:

Hi Jasmine,

Thanks for reading about the good old days of growing up in the 1950's. Have you written about your childhood days? Appreciate your comment and vote up.

Jasmine on September 26, 2012:

I enjoyed reading this story and I loved the photos. No wonder you call those days the good old days. My childhood wasn't similar, but it was nice in some other ways. Voted up!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on August 30, 2012:

Hi Mary,

Hope you are having better luck than I am in sharing with HP followers. The only way it is working for me is to see a hub on the main feed page & using that share button. When I comment on a hub, I can tweet and FB like, but not share to followers. Crazy!

Mary Hyatt from Florida on August 30, 2012:

Hi, Peggy, I just came back to see if I could share this time!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on August 30, 2012:

Hi Maggs,

Sounds like you also had a great childhood, although in different physical locations. Now we keep our doors locked at all times and are made to feel aware of our surroundings due to the bad things that happen on a seemingly regular basis. Too bad we cannot live with the feeling of safety we felt back in the 1950's. Times certainly have changed! Thanks for your comment and votes.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on August 30, 2012:

Hello securityproducts3,

Times really were more simple back in the 1950's and in many ways better. World War 2 was over. Most people who wished to work could find a job. We felt safer and thoughts of terrorism like happens today never crossed our minds. Thanks for your comment.

maggs224 from Sunny Spain on August 30, 2012:

Physically our childhoods could not have been more different, I lived in a city, in a working class area of terraced two up two down housing and with no garden or green areas near the houses.

However, we do share the same kind of memories, of a wonderful carefree time with no conscious fear of bad things and people.

Also our doors like yours remained most of the time unlocked and although I lived in a city in our neighbourhood we knew almost everyone in the few streets close to us.

Thank you Peggy for sharing your lovely memories and for giving us a peek into your past through you family photographs :D

Voting up and hitting buttons as I go Maggs :D

securityproducts3 on August 29, 2012:

Times just seem so much simpler back then. Wonderful Hub, really.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on August 29, 2012:

Hi Jamie,

Growing up in the countryside of Wisconsin with my parents and family was truly fun + giving me a great base upon which to base my life. I turned 13 when we moved to Texas and have spent most of my life in this state. But I surely draw upon those formative years and memories. Thanks for your comment, votes and share.

Jamie Brock from Texas on August 29, 2012:

Peggy- Thank you for sharing all of these great pictures and so many of your childhood memories. I can tell that you truly cherish those good ol days in your writing and I can definitely understand why. It reminded me of some of the times I had with my cousins, growing up in the country where my grandma lives. It sounds like you have a wonderful family and the Wisconsin country sounds beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with all of us. Voting up and beautiful, sharing :)

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on August 28, 2012:

Hello shea duane,

Well stated! It is true that I can think back to those wonderful times growing up with my family members in the 1950's and do so quite often. Thanks for your comment.

shea duane from new jersey on August 27, 2012:

Great hub! I'm so happy for you that you can wrap yourself in such wonderful memories.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on August 27, 2012:

Hello fpherj48,

So glad that you enjoyed this hub about growing up in the 1950's especially since it would seem we had very similar backgrounds. It was nice, wasn't it!!! Thanks for your comment, vote & the share.

Suzie from Carson City on August 27, 2012:

Peggy....Hello, and nice to meet you! I am so glad you commented on one of my hubs, so that I could look you up! Browsing through your list of hubs, I went directly to this one...as a Boomer, of course, it caught my eye.

I wish I could impress upon you how very much I could relate to sooooo much of what you wrote about family life back then. There are so many similarities, I don't know where to begin.

It was such a wonderful time in those days......I can only remember it all with fondness, much like you do. "Family" activities, the creative things we kids did to keep busy and entertained... A complete world of difference from today, ....to say the LEAST.

I especially loved the precious photos you shared. Gosh, Peggy....most of those pictures can be compared to the albums and boxes-full I have in my closet.

The picture of kids gathered round a birthday cake, and in front of the playhouse your Dad built. Our Dad built us something new every month.....swings, wagons, desks.....he loved to work in his little work shop.......Believe this or not, Peggy, we had a cocker spaniel nearly identical to Rusty......His name was Golden Boy (Goldie)....to get even more unbelievable......I have a blk & wht snapshot of our Goldie, sitting down,outside in the snow. This hub began getting "spooky" to me..LOL

And the First Communion picture! I have one of those too, but in my case, my older sister stood next to me.......No brothers.......just Pat and I. Your little "white gloves"......oh my, we never went anywhere "special" without being all dolled up....including gloves, hat & purse.

You have taken me on a sweet and happy walk down memory lane, Peggy! I just LOVE this story!! Voted UP and SHARING!!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on August 22, 2012:

Hi dwachira,

It would be interesting to learn about your childhood memories. Why not give it a try? Glad you liked learning about my memories of growing up in the countryside of Wisconsin in the 1950's. Thanks for your comment, votes + share.

Danson Wachira from Nairobi, Kenya on August 22, 2012:

Wow Peggy W, you did took us to amazing memory lane of your childhood days, i could not help but wonder if i can re-construct my own childhood memory as you did here, superb! I like your photo between Rusty and Mamie, it is beautiful. Excellent article, voted up, interesting and shared.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on August 22, 2012:

Hi barbergirl28,

Ah...so you are also a Wisconsin gal! Nice that you still have family living in the Green Bay area. Wisconsin is a pretty state as you are well aware. I still have a few family members living in Wisconsin...cousins and their families. It has been quite a few years since I was up that way. Appreciate your comment and the share.

Stacy Harris from Hemet, Ca on August 22, 2012:

Very cool hub. I often times think I was born in the wrong era. I wish life was as calm as what you described from back there. Not that it was calm, but people had strong values and worked hard for what they had. Now a days, you don't see that. Great hub about the good old days.

I also have to say - small world. I grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin area. Not to far from where you grew up. My family actually still lives there. I moved when I joined the military in 1998. Small world!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on July 31, 2012:

Hi alphagirl,

Times surely were more simple back then. Deals were often done with a hand-shake and a person's word was his bond. Glad that I grew up during those times. As kids, we could safely play outside. Nice! Those old TV shows, while idealized somewhat, were pretty close to how it was back in the 1950's. Thanks for your comment.

Mae Williams from USA on July 31, 2012:

My husband likes to watch TV land, those shows with Dick Van Dyke and Leave it to Beaver because times were simpler. That's when you could leave your kids out to play, people had more respect for one another and kids did not rebel to the extreme they do now. Gosh business was done with hand shake. Today we can connect through Hub Pages. I wonder where this will be in 30 years?

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on July 24, 2012:

Hi moonlake,

Your childhood because of moving around so much would have been different but also taught you experiences that others would have missed. Wonder how many kids today lay in the grass looking up at the clouds in the sky or the stars? We did not have the Internet nor cell phones to keep us distracted in those days and simple things sufficed. Sounds like you have wonderful childhood memories as well as your husband sharing ones similiar to mine. Thanks for your comment, vote & share.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on July 22, 2012:

Hi Alastar,

I loved growing up in the 1950's. Times were so much more simple and wholesome. I'm glad for modern conveniences but also glad that I had those experiences from the past. Appreciate your comment and the share.

moonlake from America on July 22, 2012:

Peggy loved this hub. You lived the life my husband lived in Wisconsin. My life was good too, but we traveled because of Daddy being in the military. I remember laying in the grass looking up at the stars. My parents were the kind that let us bring our tadpoles and little fish we caught and keep them in our room along with frogs or whatever little type of animal we had. We weren't rich but happy. Voted Up and shared.

Alastar Packer from North Carolina on July 22, 2012:

A super hub to visit again and share Peggy. Can you believe growing up as a teenager here most everyone thought the 50s were ultra uncool and boring. That opinion has changed considerably since then though lol.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on June 13, 2012:

Hi independentminded,

Nice that you have stayed in touch with some of your school chums from the 1960's. So...you are a silversmith living in an artist's colony! You should write a hub about that and perhaps show some of the work you do. I appreciate your comment. Looking forward to reading a hub from you one of these days when you write one.

independentminded on June 13, 2012:

Hi, Peggy.

Thanks for your heartwarming response to my post. From the 4th-7th grade, I had a very sunny, good-natured friend that I hung out with, and she accepted me in spite of and for my differences. During the summer prior to our both entering the 8th grade (mid-1960's, she moved to another town closer to Boston) When I reached my Sophomore year of high school, however, I acquired another friend, and we frequently hung out together through our high school years. We drifted apart for awhile, as she attended college out of state, and then she fell in love and got married, back in the late 1970's, she's still happily married to the same guy, and has two grown sons, one of who graduated from college and the other who's presently in college.

We still keep in touch via telephone every so often, and occasionally see each other and get together for something special. My friend from elementary school and middle school days is now married, with two grown kids, and living out of state.

As for myself, I'm still single (a lot by choice), and am a silversmith who resides in a large artists' community just outside Boston.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on June 12, 2012:

Hi Mary,

I loved the hub that you did remembering your mother and what the times were like then. Definite similarities in those days and times! You had a cow to furnish your milk. We had our milk delivered back then. We would set out the empty glass bottles and new ones would be delivered. Only a paper type cap at the top. No need back then for tamper-proof packaging!

Thanks for your comment.

Mary Hyatt from Florida on June 11, 2012:

I just spent a delightful 45 min. reading this Hub. It took that long to read and study the photos you included. I felt like I was in your home going through your family albums, and I have to tell you I really enjoyed my 45 minutes! I loved everything about your telling of growing up in the 50's. I could relate to a lot of your descriptions of the family, and your life then. My heart breaks when I think of the children growing up now that come from abusive homes and parents who use drugs and don't care for their children. I knew you and I had a lot in common! I have to vote this Hub UP, etc.etc.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on June 09, 2012:

Hi Cathleena,

German Shephards were my parents favorite breed of dog and they had several more through the years. Sheba was the first one. Glad that you enjoyed this account of my family and my growing up in the 1950's. Those were great times. Appreciate your comment, votes and the share. Thanks! So sorry that your German Shephard dog was diseased. Sad for you and your pet as well.

Cathleena Beams from Tennessee on June 08, 2012:

Wow - This is such an awesome hub! I love the photos with Sheba the beautiful German Shepherd. They are my favorite breed of dog, and so intelligent. I had one for ten years that I fell in love with right away. She had an immune deficiency that we didn't know she had when we bought her from the breeder. By the time we realized what he told us was "puppy acne" that she would outgrow wasn't true, it was too late since we were already attached to her. That summer cottage on Okauchee Lake is absolutely lovely with it's covering of snow. You all look so happy in the photos. You did a great job on this hub! Voted up, useful, awesome, beautiful, interesting and shared!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on June 01, 2012:

Hello kittythedreamer,

So glad that you liked this hub showing pictures and some of my memories of growing up in the 1950's. Appreciate your comment and votes.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on June 01, 2012:

Hi Alastar,

I loved growing up in the 1950's. I think that many people who experienced it now think of it fondly...at least most that I know. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on June 01, 2012:

Hi Hady Chahine,

Life did seem to be more simple in the 1950's as compared to today. Glad to have those memories. Thanks for your comment.

Kitty Fields from Summerland on June 01, 2012:

Peggy, This was seriously one of my favorite hubs. I love looking at old photos and hearing about how things were in the 50s. If I didn't know any better, I was living in my past life in the 50s. Loved the photos and the entire hub. Voted up, awesome, and beautiful.

Alastar Packer from North Carolina on June 01, 2012:

This is one of my favorite hubs on family. Grew up in an era when the 50s were looked on as uncool and boring. Now they're reflected on with a different mind-set in so very many ways.

Hady Chahine from Manhattan Beach on May 25, 2012:

I very much enjoyed reading your hub. It brought back wonderful memories, many of which I haven't thought of in some time. It's funny how simple life seemed back then. Voted up!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on May 24, 2012:

Hi grandmapearl,

Your words..."I really think that the 50's were THE best time to grow up." I couldn't have said it better myself. Nice that you have so many similar memories. Thanks for your comment.

Connie Smith from Southern Tier New York State on May 24, 2012:

Peggy W, we could be twins! Except that I lived in snowy upstate New York. We had a path to my grandparents house through the field. All your photos looked so familiar. I have 2 brothers, and when I was 14 my Mom had my sister. We were very lucky to have a stay-at-home Mom right up until I was 12. My parents then bought a grocery store that my mother ran for many years. Before that she baked bread, made homemade desserts every day, etc. We all sat down at the table as a family. Your pictures certainly take me back. I really think that the 50's were THE best time to grow up. Thank you for this lovely look back. Voted Up and awesome!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on May 21, 2012:

Hi NewHorizons,

What you said is so very true..."A happy childhood and good upbringing remains with us throughout our lives." No matter what crosses we might have to bear as life progresses...those underpinnings and early lessons learned can help strengthen us and the memories, make us smile. Thanks for your comment.

Joseph Attard from Gozo, Malta, EU. on May 21, 2012:

A wonderful hub. Thanks for sharing your precious photos. Makes us all remember our childhood days. A happy childhood and good upbringing remains with us throughout our lives. I believe that we should all strive to give our children and grand-children a Happy Childhood.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on May 11, 2012:

Hi daFuj,

I agree that growing up in the 1950's was a much simpler time compared to today. I loved it and can see that you did also. Thanks for your visit and comment.