12 Things Almost Every American Town Had in 1970 — Now They're Disappearing

12 Things Almost Every American Town Had in 1970 — Now They're Disappearing There was a time when almost every American town had a Main Street filled with familiar places: the neighborhood drugstore, local hardware shop, movie theater, family-owned stores, and gathering places where everyone seemed to know everyone. By the 1970s, however, American towns were beginning to change. Shopping malls, suburban growth, new highways, big-box retail, and changing consumer habits gradually pulled businesses and people away from many traditional downtowns. Main Street America notes that malls and big-box stores had a major impact on downtown commercial districts, with many Main Streets struggling with vacancies and declining economic activity by the mid-1970s. In this video, Professor Albert Monroe takes us back to 1970 America to uncover 12 things that were once completely normal in towns across the country—but are becoming increasingly difficult to find today. From old-fashioned Main Streets and neighborhood drugstores to local theaters and businesses that once served as the heart of the community, this is a look back at an America many people still remember. How many of these do you remember from your hometown? Share your memories in the comments, and subscribe for more forgotten American history, nostalgia, towns, traditions, and everyday places from the America we once knew. Sources & Further Reading Main Street America — History of the Main Street movement and the decline of traditional downtown commercial districts: Main Street America — Our History U.S. Census Bureau — Population and demographic changes in metropolitan, suburban, and nonmetropolitan America during the 1970s: U.S. Census Bureau — Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Population, 1977 and 1970 U.S. Census Bureau — Historical facts and population statistics from the 1970 Census: U.S. Census Bureau — 1970 Census Historical Facts Smithsonian Magazine — History and transformation of the American shopping mall and its relationship to traditional Main Streets: Smithsonian Magazine — The Transformation of the American Shopping Mall National Park Service — Historic American downtown commercial districts and businesses such as drugstores, theaters, and local shops: National Park Service — West Branch Commercial Historic District National Park Service — Historic Main Street examples including movie theaters, hardware stores, and drugstores: National Park Service — McGregor Commercial Historic District #AmericanHistory #1970s #Nostalgia #SmallTownAmerica #MainStreet #ForgottenAmerica #AmericanTowns