Huntsville is a treasure trove of memories, with its classic restaurants, beautiful main streets, and exciting participation in the space race of the 1960s and 70s.
We decided to revisit the Huntsville of yesteryear and found four places Huntsville residents and visitors might recall from their young adulthood.
These special spots are sure to jog your memory:
Many a Huntsville resident dined at Jerry’s Restaurant or carhopped there. Located near the Times Building on Memorial Parkway, this was the hangout for young people, topping out even Shoney’s Big Boy.
Perhaps you spent an afternoon or evening at The Lyric theater watching Cleopatra, The Birds, My Fair Lady, or The Pink Panther. It burned down in the 1980s after closing in 1978, but this piece of Huntsville history is still memorable to many.
You might recall the exciting day of May 5, 1961 when Commander Alan B. Shepard became the first American in space.
Wernher von Braun flew to Huntsville to celebrate the achievement with a crowd.
Families waited in line for admission to the Space Orientation Center for a glimpse of the rockets that were making history as part of the space race throughout the 1960s.
The space program continued to be critical to Huntsville’s economy in the intervening decades while inspiring the nation to achieve and reach for the stars.
What are some of your favorite memories from growing up or living in Huntsville during the sixties and seventies? This is sure to make for great conversation!