The sense of community was strong, with families gathering in local pubs, visiting the bustling markets, and enjoying simple pleasures like trips to Avenham and Miller Parks. Fishergate was a thriving shopping hub, with stores like Booths and Lewis’s drawing shoppers in for the latest trends.
Sport played a vital role in Preston life, with football taking centre stage. Preston North End, the town’s beloved team, continued to attract large crowds to Deepdale, where fans would gather to cheer on their team in the First Division. Rugby and cricket also held firm places in the town's sporting culture, with local clubs fostering talent and competitive spirit.
Culturally, Preston was a town proud of its heritage but also looking ahead. Cinemas like the Odeon and Palladium were popular spots, where people flocked to see the latest black-and-white films.
Traditional values shaped much of daily life, yet a youthful energy was beginning to emerge, as rock and roll music and evolving fashion trends captivated younger generations.
Now, let's take a look back at this fascinating period with a collection of archive images from 1956 and 1957.
Still fancy a bit more reminiscing? Be sure not to miss some of our other popular nostalgia-tinged pieces...
I love these historic archive pictures of Preston life back in the good old days of the mid-1960s...
1. Plymouth 1956 Muriel Platt from Pole Street Preston on her engagement to Frank May,visiting Franks parents on their engagement.Muriel was just sweeping Frank of his feet. They met whist Frank was in the army stationed at Fulwood Barracks. They set up home in Walton le Dale .After Franks death in 1984 Muriel moved to Leyland near her sister Dorothy Sent by Brian Maley Leyland 01772 433482
National World
2. The Empire Theatre, Church Street, Preston c.1956 Opened on the 22nd May 1922 as a 2500 seat music hall. It was later converted to a cinema. The final film was shown in 1964 before conversion once again, to the inevitable bingo hall. This was the last old theatre to be demolished in the town succumbing as late as July 1976 The Last Frontier (seen on the marquee) starring Victor Mature, had it's UK release in March 1956
National World
3. Fulwood County Secondary School, Preston, 1958. Instruction from the expert, Miss Hilary Peet, physical education mistress, who plays netball for Lancashire and who is also a member of the County swimming team.
National World
4. Coffin Cart, Preston September 11, 1958. This horse drawn coffin cart, kept since 1931 for sentimental reasons by Mr. John Titterington, Undertaker of Frank Street, Preston is to be broken up. He bought it in 1920 and until 1931 it was used for delivery of coffins to private houses. Then motor vehicles took it's place. Here it is making it's last journey - to the scrap yard.
National World