Just Before the Cuban Revolution, These Vintage Photos Show What Life of Cuba Looked Like in 1950

The Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt conducted by Fidel Castro and his fellow revolutionaries of the 26th of July Movement and its allies against the military dictatorship of Cuban President Fulgencio Batista. The revolution began in July 1953, and continued sporadically until the rebels finally ousted Batista on 31 December 1958, replacing his government.

26 July 1953 is celebrated in Cuba as Día de la Revolución. The 26th of July Movement later reformed along Marxist–Leninist lines, becoming the Communist Party of Cuba in October 1965.

Just before Just before the Cuban Revolution, these fascinating photos were found by Norman Gates that show what life of Cuba looked like in 1950.

Big red American car, Cuba, 1950

A store in Cuba, they were still using horses for transport in 1950

A Cuban farm, 1950

A village in Cuba with tile roofs, 1950

Baez station, Cuba, 1950

Beach, Cuba, 1950

Boat in Cuba, 1950

Building with ironwork, Cuba, 1950

Clock tower with bell on a cobblestone street, 1950

Cobblestone street with old buildings, Cuba, 1950

Engineer on the locomotive, Cuba, 1950

Farm animals and different roofs, Cuba, 1950

Havana bus, Cuba, 1950

Havana street scenes, Cuba, 1950

Havana. Goat and small buggy, Cuba, 1950

Havana. National Capitol Building, Cuba, 1950

Horse and ox along a country road with firewood at right, Cuba, 1950

Matanzas, Cuba, 1950

Men on horseback handling logs, Cuba, 1950

Palm trees and mountains, Cuba, 1950

People by the boat with baggage, Cuba, 1950

Stone worker, Cuba, 1950

Street carnival, Cuba, 1950

Thatched houses, Cuba, 1950

Through a wood framed window, Cuba, 1950

Train through the country, Cuba, 1950

Trains in Cuba, 1950