Past Summers in the City

Since Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, here are some old LIFE magazine photos showing city-dwellers cooling off during past summer months. Maybe you can take some pointers from them this season (stoops, shorts, shade and swimsuits seem to help)! Or you can always spend the hot months indoors finally reading Infinite Jest. [Hat tip Ephemeral NY]

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By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on May 25, 2009 5:34 PM

Comments [rss]

just saying

Where aren't there any fat people in those photos?

Think2wice

Shorts!? Quick report this to House Un-American Activities Committee! Go back to Bermuda yah pinko basterds.

Mr Mel

People used to sleep on fire escapes and roofs during heat-waves. The beaches at Coney and Rockaway had sleepers as well. People would spend all day in the movie theaters because they were "air cooled".

Tower18

My neighbor in BK was just telling me stories about that today...their fathers and grandfathers used to sleep on fire escapes at night. He maintains it kept the block safer.