Your City's Most Influential/Infamous Decades or Eras

[Pedestrian]

Oh, this one's well known:


















https://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamise...B3Y#.jxoaPvr6O




https://www.google.com/search?q=SF+i...MqHmAG8xL_3UM:




https://www.phactual.com/11-facts-ab...ummer-of-love/

[pj3000]

Originally Posted by Centropolis

top 10 metro areas in US in 1890

1. New York
2. Philadelphia
3. Chicago
4. Boston
5. St. Louis
6. Baltimore
7. Pittsburgh
8. Cincinnati
9. Minneapolis
10. San Francisco

a takeaway is that the river cities ruled the interior...and i mean almost the entire settled interior, with the sole exception of chicago of course. it's when all the largest of the giant mansions really started going up, at least in (and around) st. louis (i have seen neighborhoods in cincinnati with mansions that look identical and i imagine pittsburgh is the same). the 1880s should be looped into that period of extreme wealth as well.

This is proabably per capita? Different metrics could be used to confidently make the case for probably a lot of cities on that list as wealthiest. That's why I said arguably.

Pittsburgh had more of the world's wealthiest living in and/or having their business interests in during that time than anywhere else in the world... that's more where I was coming from. In that era, there was no place with a greater concentration of wealth.

You can go down the list of the wealthiest people of the era... Carnegie, Frick, Phipps, Thaw, A. Mellon, R. Mellon, Schwab... still some of the wealthiest men in history... and that's not even scratching the surface... if you consider dudes like Westinghouse or Vandergrift and Lockhart (Rockefeller's partners) or Hunt or Heinz. The number of billionaire and millionaire industrialists that resided in Pittsburgh (mostly in the same neighborhood) is remarkable.

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by pj3000

This is proabably per capita? Different metrics could be used to confidently make the case for probably a lot of cities on that list as wealthiest. That's why I said arguably.

Pittsburgh had more of the world's wealthiest living in and/or having their business interests in during that time than anywhere else in the world... that's more where I was coming from. In that era, there was no place with a greater concentration of wealth.

You can go down the list of the wealthiest people of the era... Carnegie, Frick, Phipps, Thaw, A. Mellon, R. Mellon, Schwab... still some of the wealthiest men in history... and that's not even scratching the surface... if you consider dudes like Westinghouse or Vandergrift and Lockhart (Rockefeller's partners) or Hunt or Heinz. The number of billionaire and millionaire industrialists that resided in Pittsburgh (mostly in the same neighborhood) is remarkable.

no, sorry, that's just metropolitan population rankings. has nothing to do with wealth per capita, economic strength, etc. i was just trying to highlight sort of the state of cities during that time frame, as it was arguably peak industrial river city which you might agree with. pittsburgh was undoubtedly an industrialist juggernaut.

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

Oh, this one's well known:

i mean, while you are probably right, the rise of california, the gold rush and san francisco had a huge effect on the 19th century u.s. (and subsequently the 20th) as well. after the 60s, though, i guess the 19th century history sort of was dialed down.

[pj3000]

Originally Posted by Centropolis

no, sorry, that's just metropolitan population rankings. has nothing to do with wealth per capita, economic strength, etc. i was just trying to highlight sort of the state of cities during that time frame, as it was arguably peak industrial river city which you might agree with. pittsburgh was undoubtedly an industrialist juggernaut.

ahhh... sorry, got it now. That Victorian-Industrial-Gilded Age was a pretty damn impressive time for American cities.

[710cl]

Between the alternative/grunge movement, Ken Griffey Jr, Microsoft and Frasier, the early 90s belonged to Seattle in many ways. Starbucks is also kind of a product of that time period, albeit it took a couple years before there was one on every corner in America.

[mrnyc]

while i think cle got up to fifth place, there are a lot of these pretty cool colorized 'sixth city' postcards around from the first half of the last century.
that was probably the hayday.







although the more infamous burning river/default 60s-70s run to the suburbs era could be a contender



drew carey’s fav booster slogan:
(nothing like basing self promotion off somewhere else!)

[10023]

Originally Posted by 710cl

Between the alternative/grunge movement, Ken Griffey Jr, Microsoft and Frasier, the early 90s belonged to Seattle in many ways. Starbucks is also kind of a product of that time period, albeit it took a couple years before there was one on every corner in America.

The first Starbucks outside Seattle opened in Chicago in 1987, so I would think that by the early 90s it was definitely well known enough among the cognescenti to be identified with that time period. The early 90s were probably the last time Starbucks was considered cool.

[jd3189]

Yes, Pedestrian. SF in the 60s was its peak in American and World History. It was the epicenter of the counter-cultural movement that changed everything. Housing wasn't as expensive and hippies were all around. The Summer of Love happened and most of the psychedelic rock stars were developing a new sound with LSD. Some of the fun trickled into the 70s but there will never be another 60s.


2420 Hyde Street, San Francisco, California 94108, United States by Bousquairol's Gallery, on Flickr



North Beach Glitter - San Francisco, Calif. by Heather David, on Flickr



Union Square San Francisco postcard 1960s by Heather David, on Flickr


SAN FRANCISCO 1966 by Demode, on Flickr



San Francisco From Air 1964 by Mark Faviell, on Flickr



San Francisco Skyway by Heather David, on Flickr


Tram - San Francisco - 1962 by Martin Snelling, on Flickr

[suburbanite]

For Toronto you could probably argue that it's ongoing as we speak.

Either that or from the mid 1970's to maybe 1988. It notably started with the nationalist demonstrations in Quebec and the subsequent exodus of the Anglo population and several major companies. When Bank of Montreal relocated to the city in 1975, the transfer of influence was complete.

In terms of international presence and pop culture that's probably debatable as well. I'm too young to offer any insight into how Neil Young and Rush compare to Drake and Justin Beiber.

1970:


1988:


Source:https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/201...e-skydome.html

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by suburbanite

I'm too young to offer any insight into how Neil Young and Rush compare to Drake and Justin Beiber.

seriously?

neil young and rush shit all over drake, and then use justin beiber for toilet paper.

[Quixote]

I’d say the LA zeitgeist peaked during the 1920s, 1960s, and 1980s. It’s probably the definitive city of the 20th century after NYC, having gone from a large town to a major iconic world capital.

NYC at its absolute peak was the mid to late 1990s. Urban revitalization, solid economy, popular sitcoms, successful sports teams, flourishing fashion houses, and before 9/11 and mass gentrification/globalism. It will never be able to duplicate that zeitgeist.

[suburbanite]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

seriously?

neil young and rush shit all over drake, and then use justin beiber for toilet paper.

I mean objectively in terms of their effect on international perceptions of Toronto. I'm no Drake fan by any means, but I respect the man for not bailing to Hollywood at the first chance he had. He reps the city harder than any other musician I've heard, both in his music and with his affiliation with the Raptors, OVO, etc.

I'd take Rush any day, but there's no doubt that Drake has helped put the "6ix" on the map.

[Pedestrian]

Originally Posted by jd3189

Yes, Pedestrian. SF in the 60s was its peak in American and World History. It was the epicenter of the counter-cultural movement that changed everything. Housing wasn't as expensive and hippies were all around. The Summer of Love happened and most of the psychedelic rock stars were developing a new sound with LSD. Some of the fun trickled into the 70s but there will never be another 60s.

• Video Link

The "fun" definitely trickled into the 70's but it wasn't the same fun. The 70s were the era when gay San Francisco ruled and Castro St. took over from Haight St. See below:

[iheartthed]

Originally Posted by jd3189

Yes, Pedestrian. SF in the 60s was its peak in American and World History. It was the epicenter of the counter-cultural movement that changed everything. Housing wasn't as expensive and hippies were all around. The Summer of Love happened and most of the psychedelic rock stars were developing a new sound with LSD. Some of the fun trickled into the 70s but there will never be another 60s.

I would argue that SF's peak is going on right now.

Originally Posted by Quixote

I’d say the LA zeitgeist peaked during the 1920s, 1960s, and 1980s. It’s probably the definitive city of the 20th century after NYC, having gone from a large town to a major iconic world capital.

NYC at its absolute peak was the mid to late 1990s. Urban revitalization, solid economy, popular sitcoms, successful sports teams, flourishing fashion houses, and before 9/11 and mass gentrification/globalism.

I would give the early to mid-90s to L.A. There was just a lot of pop culture shit happening that put L.A. front and center: riots, OJ, Rodney King, TV shows (Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, etc).

I think NYC definitely owned the late 90s and on, though. It started before 9/11, but the attacks really seemed to center NYC for the next decade.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by jd3189

Can You Dig It? by darklorddisco, on Flickr

.

Waaaaaarrioooooooooors!

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by Quixote

I’d say the LA zeitgeist peaked during the 1920s, 1960s, and 1980s. It’s probably the definitive city of the 20th century after NYC, having gone from a large town to a major iconic world capital.

NYC at its absolute peak was the mid to late 1990s. Urban revitalization, solid economy, popular sitcoms, successful sports teams, flourishing fashion houses, and before 9/11 and mass gentrification/globalism. It will never be able to duplicate that zeitgeist.

i'd argue that overall, L.A. dominated the core of the twentieth century over NYC within the american consciousness (not along the lines of financial metrics, etc). i'd also argue that NYC was kind of a funny bookend on both ends, though, squiring the century in and then back out in a critical way...sort of reminding everyone who is actually in charge...

[jd3189]

Quixote, that is true about NYC. The 1930s-1960s were a unique high point as well. By the 1920s, New York surpassed London as the largest city in the world. Later on, it surpassed Paris as a global cultural capital. With the Art Deco magnificence of the Empire State Building and Chrysler to the continued resilience of Americans during the Great Depression and World War II, the interwar years was a time of absolute greatness. The skyline was the major attraction. So many of the world's tallest buildings at the time were constructed and dominated in an era like no other. I believe the were two World's fairs at the time. This legacy helped NYC rise up again from the nadir of the 70s and 80s to be an enduring center in the 90s to our time.


midtown-manhattan-skyline-night-view-new-york-1930s_8150080687_o by cobra victor, on Flickr


Pike and Henry Streets, Manhattan. by New York Public Library, on Flickr


New York, 1939 by kawkawpa, on Flickr


Sound (1932-40) by Amara, on Flickr



1930 TIMES SQUARE Vintage Photo Postcard PEPSODENT Chevrolet NYC new york city by Christian Montone, on Flickr


nyc_v7_110 by Jani Vee, on Flickr



Bourke-White, Margaret (1904-1971) - 1930 Hats in the Garment District, NY by RasMarley, on Flickr


Hine, Lewis (1874-1940) - 1931 Icarus, High Up on Empire State by RasMarley, on Flickr


Drivers in 1930s and 1940s cars zip along through the Meadowlands swamps on Route 46 while the Chrysler Building and Midtown Manhattan hover in a different world. Not a hint of the NJ Turnpike in the distance. Bendix, New Jersey. 1942 by Andy Blair, on Flickr


close up of downtown Brooklyn 1938 by George Lane, on Flickr


SPORTS BASEBALL NY New York City 1930s Yankee Stadium HOME OF THE NEW YORK YANKEES The House That Ruth Built ANTIQUE POSTCARD Sports History and Heritagea1a9 by Don...The UpNorth Memories Guy... Harrison, on Flickr


New York City. East river and Midtown Manhattan view! Between 1931 and 1938 by cobravictor, on Flickr


New York World's Fair 1964 by Raindear60, on Flickr

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by iheartthed

I would give the early to mid-90s to L.A. There was just a lot of pop culture shit happening that put L.A. front and center: riots, OJ, Rodney King, TV shows (Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, etc).

I think NYC definitely owned the late 90s and on, though. It started before 9/11, but the attacks really seemed to center NYC for the next decade.

I would give the early 90s to Seattle (grunge, Microsoft, Ken Griffey Jr.) only because it was such a culturally defining moment for a small city that had barely registered on the radar up to that point.

[JManc]

Kudos to Pedestrian for including the Dead in his San Francisco montage.

Standing on the moon
Where talk is cheap and vision true
Standing on the moon
But I would rather be with you
Somewhere in San Francisco
On a back porch in July
Just looking up to heaven
At this crescent in the sky