Brooklyn in the 1950s was an entirely different place than it is now. The trendy, rebellious beatnik youth didn't live in the immigrant community of Williamsburg, they lived in the Village and hung out on St. Mark's Place.
Brooklyn at the time was mainly a patchwork of ethnic enclaves with a ton of Italian, Jewish, and Irish immigrants and the second generation of earlier immigration waves.
Plus, they still had the Brooklyn Dodgers, who would have never moved to Los Angeles if this domed stadium had been built.
Check out this photo series documenting the style and vibe of Brooklyn back in the day. They have such a great Happy Days vibe that you might find yourself telling people to "sit on it."
CBS Models at Coney Island / via CBS Photo Archive
[anad]
Coney Island Parachute Ride / via Margret Bourke-White
Brooklyn Ferry Passengers / via George Marks
Dodgers Fans Celebrating / via Martha Holmes
Pet Shop Boys / via David Attie
Brooklyn School of Automotive Trades Students / via Three Lions
Workers Snacking / via Three Lions
Check out 7 Most Amazing Murals You've Ever Seen on the Streets of NYC.
[via Time]
[Feature Image Courtesy SGClark]