35 Nostalgic Vintage Photos From 50 Years Ago

Last Updated on May 7, 2025 by Matt Staff

Fifty years have come and gone since the series of throwback moments that are capture in these snapshots from the past. It is wild to take pause and reflect just how much things have changed. It’s also its own kind of rush of emotions when one thinks about where things could end up 50 years from now.

This collection of 35 vintage photos from 50 years ago transports one back in time to a bygone era, where the world had taken on a completely different form. It’s fun to get lost in the past when vintage photos are involved sometimes.

1. A solid New York City moment back in 1975

Four people dressed in suits with face paint resembling the band KISS pose on a city street, while passersby—including a child and adults in 1970s fashion—look on with curiosity. Urban buildings and cars appear in the background. — deleted

2. A couple on Michigan Avenue in Chicago in 1975

A man in a light blue suit and bow tie stands next to a woman in a red dress, white floppy hat, and white heels. They both pose outdoors on a city sidewalk. — zero_portrait

3. The beauty of old school practical effects. For Jaws (1975), three animatronic sharks were built. Each model costs approximately $150,000

A man wearing a yellow cap crouches inside the open mouth of a large, fake shark model on the deck of a boat, surrounded by tools and debris. — ancient_age9577

4. Peaches Records and Tapes, Atlanta, GA, 1975

A vintage storefront for Peaches Records & Tapes with a large sign and album covers displayed above the entrance, facing a wide street with yellow lines and some greenery in front. — urbanachiever6371

5. John Lennon with baby Sean, 1975

A man wearing glasses and pajamas sits on a bed holding a baby, both smiling. A woman in white sits in the background on the bed, and newspapers are spread around in a cozy, lived-in bedroom. — hooverpaul

6. Lynda Carter as the superhero in the television series ‘Wonder Woman’, (1975)

7. Whiskey A Go Go on the Sunset Strip, (1975)

Busy street scene from the 1970s featuring classic cars, a red El Grande restaurant with Coca-Cola signs, a Shell gas station, and billboards under a clear blue sky. — j3434

8. San Francisco’s Lombard Street in 1975

A steep, winding street lined with vibrant pink and red flowers, several vintage cars parked along the curves, and a group of people standing at the corner near a “Do Not Enter” sign. — valuecolor

9. Bruce Springsteen and his 1960 Corvette that he bought after the success of 1975’s “Born To Run” album

10. Helen Mirren at her house, Fulham, London, 1975

A woman with wavy hair sits cross-legged on a sofa, touching her head with both hands. She wears a lace-up top, skirt, tights, and high-heeled shoes. Cushions and a bright window are in the background. — deleted

11. Dairy Queen, Atlanta, Georgia – 1975. They actually cooked the burgers over open flames

A vintage Dairy Queen with a red roof, classic signs for shakes, sundaes, and burgers. People stand at outdoor service windows and a white car is parked in front. A clown statue is on the roof. — the_patriot

12. Freddie Mercury at home (1975)

A man in a tank top and shorts relaxes on a wicker outdoor sofa in a patio garden, with a potted plant and rattan table nearby, and a wooden lattice fence behind him. — bill_sabab

13. KISS comes to Cadillac, Michigan to promote ‘Alive!’ (1975)

A black-and-white photo of several youths in KISS face paint on and around a Pontiac car with "KISS" painted on the door, leading a parade with a crowd walking behind them on a tree-lined street. — _chapel

14. These grandparents look extra cool back in the ’70s

A woman in a white, sleeveless crop top and matching pants stands smiling in front of a man with an afro and mustache, wearing a white t-shirt and dark pants. They pose together indoors near colorful chairs. — phantomroyce

15. Someone’s father found himself in a photo of the 1975 Pink Floyd concert in Hamilton, Ontario

Black and white photo of a large outdoor stadium packed with people. In the foreground, a person holds a newspaper with the headline "Pink Floyd." The stage is visible in the distance. — zeehammer

16. She’s hard at work out in San Francisco in 1975

A woman with long hair, wearing a white tank top and blue jeans, sits on cardboard next to a light blue van. She holds a wrench and a drink, with tools and a can of Coca-Cola scattered nearby. — liamlars

17. Yeah, he pulled off the pink well back in 1975

A man in a light pink suit with white shoes poses confidently with one foot on a blue velvet chair, set against a dark background.

18. This cat was all about the holidays in 1975

A young girl with long blonde hair sits by a decorated Christmas tree, smiling gently as she pets a black and white rabbit dressed in a red outfit with a bow on its head. Festive ornaments and gifts are visible in the background. — activitiyfew312

19. Now those are some impressive spectacles

A woman wearing glasses and a patterned cardigan stands smiling in an office with a typewriter and adding machine on the desk beside her. The room has white brick walls and an empty chair in the background. — anonymous

20. Solid senior year photo in 1975

Black and white photo of a basketball player wearing glasses and a "CUBS 21" jersey, mid-jump shot in a gymnasium, with other players and equipment visible in the background. — anonymous

21. Oh wow, Jack knew what he was doing

A man with a beard and receding hairline smiles slyly while holding up a newspaper review with the headline "Nicholson is delicious." He wears a patterned shirt and stands in front of a plain background. — deleted

22. Nothing like posing with your ’66 GTO in 1975

A young woman with long brown hair, wearing a white sleeveless top and high-waisted blue jeans, stands in front of a vintage silver Pontiac car parked on a rural dirt driveway with trees and grass in the background. — gnarlodious

23. Cher back in 1975

A woman with long, straight black hair and a light-colored, buttoned top looks slightly upward. The background is softly blurred, showing hints of shelves and a painting. — delete4d

24. Shakey’s Pizza party 1975

Four children sit around a table with presents and drinks. One child wears a straw hat with a red band, while another wears sunglasses. The scene suggests a birthday celebration in a dimly lit room. — hscorpio

25. My mom being a gothic queen, circa 1975

A woman in a black outfit sits on an orange couch, holding a dark-colored cat. Behind her is a painting of a woman and child, and to the right, a dark wooden cabinet with a vase of flowers. — aintnolie92

26. My parents, circa 1975 El Paso, Texas

A young man and woman relax on a blanket outdoors. The man lies back while the woman leans on him, both smiling. There are trees and bags in the background, giving a rustic, casual atmosphere. The photo has a vintage look. — prestigoussix971

27. Someone’s dad looking extra groovy with his ride in 1975

A man with a mustache, wearing a light shirt and pinkish pants, leans with arms crossed against a yellow car parked by a building and grassy area. — daszeppelin

28. Fairfax High School (Los Angeles, CA), 1975

Two young men walk outdoors on a sidewalk, wearing 1970s fashion. One wears a long coat, open shirt, and flared pants; the other wears a denim-collared shirt and bold striped pants. They are smiling and engaged in conversation. — axlcobainvedder

29. Carrie Fisher in her film debut, 1975

A young woman with long red hair wearing a paisley-patterned headscarf and a white short-sleeved polo shirt stands outdoors, looking to the side with a neutral expression. — girlswithpigtails

30. A young couple catching a vibe out in 1975

A smiling woman with short blonde hair and a pink dress stands next to a man with short dark hair wearing a "Made in Britain" t-shirt. They have their arms around each other, with trees in the background. — thisisjaimie

31. Barefoot bicycling in New York City, 1975

A young woman with long hair rides a bicycle barefoot along a cobblestone city street, smiling, while a photographer captures her image. Cars and buildings line the street on a sunny day. — str33twise98

32. Sally Field in 1975

A smiling woman with short brown hair sits on a wooden fence, wearing a light, patterned dress. She is outdoors, surrounded by lush green foliage and sunlight. — kinneyboi

33. Dancing at the Disko Club in East Germany, 1975

A group of young people dance and socialize in a small room with a sign reading "DISKO CLUB" above the doorway. The atmosphere feels casual and retro, with mostly red and blue clothing and patterned wallpaper. — bridge9

34. ZZ Top in 1975

Three men stand together wearing light-colored, embroidered suits and cowboy hats. The image is in black and white and has a vintage, country western style. — redditredditreddit

35. Clint Eastwood and his 1975 Ferrari 308 GTB

A man in a green t-shirt and jeans stands smiling with one hand on a red Ferrari sports car parked on a suburban street with houses, trees, and white picket fences in the background. — abagabaganoush

Explore more nostalgic content from decades back ago:

If you enjoyed this nostalgic journey through time, delve deeper into the past with 35 Vintage Photos from the Early 1970s, capturing candid moments of everyday life from that era. Explore the vibrant culture of the ’70s with 70+ Photos That Totally Sum up The 1970s, offering a vivid glimpse into the decade’s iconic events and styles. For a broader perspective on how times have changed, check out 45 Photos of America Then and Now, showcasing side-by-side comparisons that highlight the evolution of American landscapes and lifestyles. And if you’re curious about the transition into the next decade, 45 Early 80s Photos That Capture Life from 1980 to 1983 provides a snapshot of the early ’80s, reflecting the shifts in culture and daily life.

Tags: 1970s early 1970s

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