Into the Toybox 1950 to 1959

1950 to 1959

The period from 1950 to 1959 was an amazing time for children's toys. Many classic toys were created during this time due to new plastics and quicker technology. During this period, life was blissful for most of the citizens of Pitt Meadows, entering a recovery period after the Second World War and a new period of prosperity for most.

What did Pitt Meadows Look like during this time?

The population of Pitt Meadows was just under 1800 people by 1959. In May 1951, the Lions Club was formed in Pitt Meadows. In 1950, Jan Blom secured an option to purchase the Pitt Polder area, and reclamation work began in 1951. The volunteer fire department was formed in 1954, replacing the ARP fire department founded during the Second World War. In March 1957 the New two-lane bridge over the Pitt River opened, the new church hall opened, the blueberry business was booming, and of course, we saw a growth of Dutch citizens moving into the Pitt Polder.

Entertainment

Toys that were created during this time: Barbie (1959),Etch a Sketch (the late 1950s),Play-Doh (1956),Chatty Cathy (1959),Matchbox Cars (1953)

During this period there was a lot of prosperity, which meant that most families could afford to buy more for themselves. This is reflected in the toys of the era, having moved from mostly hand-made to mass-produced. There was more time for play as well, as technology moved into our agricultural practices so children didn’t need to spend as much time helping their parents (although most still would as it was expected to help). Kids were still playing outside and socializing with one another in person.

Television also starts to make its way into more Canadian homes during this time with 9 in 10 Canadians having a television set in their homes by the end of the decade. At the time, television was more of a family event than an individual one, as families would gather around the television to watch shows together (like they would do with the radio). Families in Pitt Meadows who did not have one would go to friends' houses that did and make an evening of it.

Education

British Columbia

During this time, we see the effects of the baby boom. There was a surge of increased enrollment across the province as there were more children, which meant that there needed to be more schools and teachers. In 1957 the Public Schools Act and the Rules of the Council of Public Instruction were revised, the most revisions since the Public Schools Act of 1872! The province still faces a teacher shortage, and attempts are made to increase the enrollment of future teachers in post-secondary education. During this time, with fears of the Cold War, nuclear drills are done in classrooms to prepare children for what to do in the event of a Nuclear War (as much as you can prepare children for something so monumental).

Pitt Meadows

In 1953 Pitt Meadows Elementary, a five-roomed unit with an activity room, was built on the west side of Harris on what is now 119th Avenue. In 1955 two more rooms were added and in 1958 another two rooms, making it a nine-roomed school. The first principal of the school was Mrs. E. M. McDermott. The Number One school was intended to be used as overflow classrooms but mysteriously burned prior to the beginning of the school year in 1953. With Queen Elizabeth's Coronation in 1953, we see a surge in learning that reflects her new reign, with children celebrating the Queen and Country. By 1958, we saw classroom celebrations of the 100th anniversary of British Columbia becoming a crown colony.

*****

The 1950s were a time of prosperity for most, having survived the Depression and the Second World War, we see a boom of children being born and with them a hope that life continues to be prosperous and gentle to them even in the midst of the looming Cold War.

Back to the Toybox.

Toy Iron

Toy Washboard

Toy Horse

Toy Barn

Toy Cow

Doll

Puzzle Game Box

Puzzle Game

Etch-a-Sketch