40 Wonderful Color Slides of Puerto Rico in the 1950s

Life in Puerto Rico during the 1950s was marked by significant social, economic, and political changes. The island was transitioning from its colonial past under Spanish rule to a more modern status as a U.S. territory, following its acquisition by the United States in 1898.

During the 1950s, Puerto Rico was undergoing an economic transformation driven by Operation Bootstrap, a government initiative aimed at industrializing the island and reducing its dependence on agriculture. This led to increased employment in manufacturing and other industries, and many Puerto Ricans experienced improvements in living standards.

Socially, the decade saw a blend of traditional Puerto Rican culture with growing influences from American popular culture. The introduction of television and the growth of consumer goods contributed to changing lifestyles.

Politically, the 1950s were a time of heightened political activity, with debates about the island's status—whether to pursue statehood, independence, or continue with the commonwealth arrangement. The formation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1952 was a significant milestone in this regard, granting the island greater autonomy while remaining a U.S. territory.

Overall, the 1950s in Puerto Rico were a period of dynamic change, blending traditional elements with modern influences and laying the groundwork for future development.

These wonderful photos from Tom Lehman were taken by Luke Birky that show life in Puerto Rico in the 1950s.

Girls, boys walking around the plaza, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Big tree, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Boys running after sugar cane truck, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Bus in front of La Plata hospital, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Clergy lead procession, officers look on, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Cock fight, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Couple with their children from La Plata, Aibonito, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Drying vanilla beans, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Flamboyan along roadside, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Girl eating cookie, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Girl in pink dress in front of house, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Good Friday, Cayey, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Group talking, small children, clothes on fence, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Hato Rey, near Baldrich, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Kathryn at dock with workers and crane, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Lifting load of sugar cane out of wagons pulled by oxen, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Man and boy plowing with oxen, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Man looking over valley, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Man riding white horse, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Man with tie, San Juan, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Nico's Place, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Nurses aides, La Plata hospital, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Ox teams plowing, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Oxen, Lincoln, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Plowing with team of oxen, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Porta coeli San German further back with car and horse, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Procession in street with cross and flowers, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Puerto Rican family and friend, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Puerto Rican family, mother with six children, father standing apart, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Saddled horses grazing on hilltop by building, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Shoe shine boys, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Stalls along city street, Plaza del Mercado, Guayama, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Stalls along street, Old Plaza Del Mercado in downtown Ponce, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Steam tractor, probably used for sugar cane, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Sugar cane harvest, ox drawn wagons, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Three girls dressed up, crowd, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Three men hoeing tobacco on hillside, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Two young girls in white dresses, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Waterfront shanties, Puerta de Tierra at San Juan Bay, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s

Woman washing clothes at muddy river's edge, Puerto Rico, circa 1950s