10 Memories Of Growing Up In Ames, Iowa

I have so many memories of growing up in Ames, Iowa in the 1950’s and 60’s that it is difficult to just list 10 memories. It was such a great time of growing up, and such a great era to grow up in. Ames was the ideal community to grow up in.

1. Family Life

I had wonderful, caring parents and as the only child of my family, my family adored and cherished me, and did everything they could to make my childhood so amazing! So I was deeply blessed to be in this family.

2. The Simplicity

Life was so simple and innocent back in the day of the 50’s and 60’s. Life in general was so different from today’s world. People truly cared about each other, and everyone looked out for everyone else. In my neighborhood, many of the school children would come to my house to play. My mother’s friends would often stop by to visit us. Rarely do you see people today go visiting like they did back in my childhood days. I know we used to go visit people often. We would visit my grandparents, and other elderly friends, and we would have family reunions where everyone would show up.

There were much more social connections among families on a regular basis, in person, not through social media as it is today.

3. The Friendships

Growing up for me was not only spending time with my family, but also my friends. Going to the movies and shopping with my friends was one of the best things about growing up in Ames, Iowa. The girls would always have their hair in rollers on Saturdays, as that was always date night.

Friday nights was girlfriend nights where we would hang out with our friends. Something we did every Friday night was “drag main.” We spent hours with our friends driving up and down Main Street waving to our friends, and meeting at the end of Main Street at the Old Depot to chat with friends. It was the highlight of our weekend, driving miles and miles up and down Main Street, listening to all of our favorite rock and roll songs on the radio, chatting with friends, and just feeling so joy filled, as this was the best time of our lives.

4. Roller Skating

Roller Skating was something all of us loved to do growing up in Ames, Iowa. That is where you would find every child from elementary school through junior high school. We would all gather at the roller skating rink and roller skate to all the great songs of the 50’s and 60’s for hours at a time. There were even skating shows which I also was in. Our instructor would put on these fabulous skating dances that we would perform. We all loved roller skating.

5. Ice Skating

Ice skating was another great fun event that we would do. I remember how I was not a very good ice skater because my ankles seemed to be too weak to hold me up very well. But being with friends on the ice was fun and having hot chocolate afterwards was the best. Gathering around a warm fire to warm us up as it was freezing on the outdoor ice skating rink.

6. Sledding

Sledding was also a fun event for us growing up in Ames, Iowa. We would be fully dressed in warm clothing of hats, gloves, scarves and a warm winter coat to go sledding down the super cool hill we had to sled on. Up and down the hill sledding over and over again, laughing and having so much fun. Another memory of sledding is the memory of when I was very small, my Dad made a box sled that he took me out sledding in. He would pull me around in that sled for a long time, and as long as I could be outside with my Dad, I was loving it!

7. Talking on the Phone

Talking on the phone to my friends was something I spent hours doing, especially to my friend Kamela. We were the best of friends and did everything together, and loved talking on the phone to each other.

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8. School Days

School was also so very great! We had caring teachers who were kind and considerate, and always helped us succeed in our studies. Of course passing notes to friends was the best, as long as we didn’t get caught passing notes. The social aspect of being with my friends in school was what I looked forward to each day.

9. Hayrides

Hayrides were something I always looked forward to in my church youth group growing up in Ames, Iowa. In the Fall we would go on hayrides, sing songs, and roast marshmallows. It was just a simple pleasure we looked forward to.

10. 4th of July

Carnivals on the 4th of July was always great fun! So many exciting rides to go on, and chances to win prizes at games, and lots of amazing carnival food, and even helicopter rides which I truly enjoyed.

So there are my 10 memories of growing up in Ames, Iowa, although there are so many more. It was a great community with wonderful people, and many whom I am still close to today. I had a great childhood, and I owe it all to Ames, as it offered so much for us living there, and I owe it to my parents who made my life the happiest of all. My friends and relationships I had with people added so much meaning and purpose to my life. I am proud to call Ames, Iowa my hometown!

What are some other memories of growing up in Ames, Iowa? Share in the comments below!

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