30 Vintage Photos Of Ice Cream Parlors To Melt Away The Summer Heat
Two scoops, please.
Nothing beats the summer heat better than treating yourself to a nice ice cream delight. Whether it's a banana split, a soft-serve twist, or a good old-fashioned scoops on a waffle cone, nice cool ice cream is the ultimate compliment for those warm summer nights. And while you can browse the frozen foods section at any local grocery store and find a plethora of ice cream flavors to take home, there's something special about gathering your family and friends together and meeting out for ice cream that makes the whole experience all the better. But it's been that way for quite some time...
Following the prohibition of alcohol in 1920, people turned to soda and ice cream to attain a sugary fix. Enter: the ice cream parlor. Also known as "soda fountains" or "malt shops," ice cream parlors were *the* social gathering spots of the early to mid-1900s. Between 1920-1929, the consumption of ice cream grew by an estimated 40 percent, and by the end of the decade, there were over 100,000 ice cream parlors (located mainly in the back of drugstores) across the U.S. Talk about a quick come-up.
It's now been over 100 years since the great "boom" of the soda fountain, and while some of these relics of yesteryear are still open for a visit today, let's turn back the clock and take a look at 30 throwback photos of ice cream parlors.
1937: Best milkshakes in town
Three young ladies visiting a Wisconsin ice cream parlor order up the special 15-cent milkshake. Today, that milkshake would set you back approximately $2.80.
Circa 1945: Popsicles at the parlor
A teen boy sitting at the parlor counter slurps on an ice cream bar. Popsicles were introduced around the early-1920s and quickly grew in popularity during the 1920s and '30s.
1948: Beat the heat
Two women split a milkshake to cool down from the Southern California sun in Hollywood.
1948: Date night
A husband and wife enjoy the $1.50 "Super Duper for Two" ice cream sundae special at Jahn's Ice Cream Parlor in Richmond Hill, New York.
1948: Fun for all
A soda jerk serves a milkshake to a table of eager customers. "Soda jerks" were a common title for the employee who served ice cream and soda behind the parlor counter.
1948: Love at first bite
A young couple, presumably on a date by the looks of things, enjoy a conversation over two large frozen treats.
Circa 1950s: The 10,000-calorie sundae
Two girls attempt to devour the "10,000 Calorie Sundae," available for a mere 35 cents, from an ice cream parlor in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Circa 1950s: Double scoop, double date
A pair of teenage couples gather at the parlor booth to enjoy ice cream soda floats.
Circa 1950s: A big treat
A little girl in Atlantic City screams in amazement at her money-themed ice cream sundae.
Circa 1950s: The place to be
It's a full house at this bustling 1950s malt shop... someone cue the jukebox.
1950: Get in line
A crowd of teenagers pack the counter at this busy New York City ice cream parlor.
1950: Love at the parlor
These two young lovebirds lock eyes as they share an ice cream soda.
1950: Drugstore delights
A little girl sips down a chocolate milkshake at an ice cream parlor located in the back of a drugstore—a common location for many parlors in the early to mid-1900s.
1950: Cooling down for the summer
A young boy leans on a fence as he enjoys the last few bites of his ice cream cone.
1950: No open seats
A row of customers line counter at this busy 1950s establishment.
1952: A quick cone
A pair of well-dressed ladies interlock arms as they take a quick break to enjoy a cone near an ice cream vending machine.
1952: Banana splits by the bargain
A parlor worker looks out the very window that advertises 35-cent banana splits. Today, that price equals approximately $3.56.
1952: Largest ice cream soda in the world
At Jahn's Ice Cream Shop in New York City, two young ladies share the shop's signature "largest ice cream soda in the world."
1952: Don't cry over spilt ice cream
These three babies are living their best lives, enjoying ice cream cones on the lawn.
1953: Standing ovation
In order to enjoy the massive milkshake before him, this teen gets clever by setting it on a chair and standing behind it to get *the* optimal sip.
Alex is an entertainment and lifestyle writer who has a penchant for pineapple pizza, paranormal podcasts, paddleboarding, and alliteration.
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