Wilson High School, Portland Oregon 1961 Yearbook: Where's Peyton Stroli?
Here is a nice vintage 1961 yearbook from the venerable Wilson High School of Portland Oregon (Now known as Ida B. Wells) Bouffants and Crewcuts still ruled... It was before Vietnam, The Beatles, JFK's Assassination, Selma, The Berlin Wall, George Clooney, and so much more. In my youth Wilson was a formidable social, intellectual, and athletic opponent, whether in reality or as an illusion, and the whole place always had the aroma of money, brains, prowess, and class. Attending opened door for you. Of note, the class of '61 was the first to graduate from the school with the fancy new three story glass and brick wing that was added to accommodate the projected swelling district population (prior to realizing the eventual impact of the suburban exodus that was already in motion at the time).
When my youngest attended Wilson some 35 years later it was apparent that the money which had been flooding into this school during my era was now dried up and the entire building had changed little but for its sad dissolution wrought by time and neglect. IMHO, Wilson should have long ago seceded from the Portland School District and joined the adjacent Beaverton district where the money flows much more freely. Regardless, this is a fine time capsule, and I found the advertiser's pages especially entertaining. Excellent condition, some shelf wear on cover, inner pages pristine. PS: Just in case you ever wondered what happened to one of the most popular and nicest guys on campus, take a look at the last photo and see just whatever happened to Peyton Storli: Good on him!
Wilson High School, 1961
If Ever a Time Could Be Called "Groovy"
The 60's Would Be It!
Hippies, Beatles, Vietnam, Nixon, Turn On, Tune In, and Drop Out (not necessarily in that order), Assassinations, Moon Shots, Woodstock, and Bonanza on Color TV. Twiggy, Pop Art, Burning Bras & Draft Cards, Selma, San Francisco, Cold War, Marches, Protests, Sit-Ins, and Be-In's. Tie-Dye, Mini-Skirts, Psychedelia, Free Love, Go-Go Boots, LASER Beams, Moogs, Underground Press, Cuban Missiles, and Jackie O. The Counterculture, The Silent Majority, The Bay of Pigs, The Berlin Wall, The Great Leap Forward, The Great Society, and The Grateful Dead. The Dave Clark Five, The Six Day War, The Chicago Seven, The Olds 88, and Love Potion #9. The Weathermen, The Troubles, The Feminine Mystique, and The Prague Spring. Decolonization, I Have a Dream, Che Guevara, Cuyahoga River, Moratorium March, Black Power, Black Panthers, Grape Boycott, Stonewall, SDS, and Law and Order. Yuri Gagarin, The Pill, Astro Turf, Muscle Cars, Telstar, Manson, Dylan, and The Peace Symbol. Medicare, The Flintstones, The Mexico Olympics, and The Amazing Mets. Ken Kesey, Surfing Safari, Malcom X, Lenny Bruce, Cassius Clay, Nikita Khrushchev, and I'm just getting warmed up!
I entered College in 1965 and it doesn't get any more "Sixties" than that. As today is the era of technology and instant connection, the 60's were an era of social consciousness and mind expansion. Interestingly, when asked which era people would like to relive the 60's Summer of Love is the most popular destination. But, it's not coming back, and it doesn't have to, because it already thoroughly informs and drives the culture we live in today! So, just remember the next time you are tempted to say "Okay, Boomer..." to someone who looks old that the 60's were our gift to all you wanna-be hippies and hipsters out there! And, if you'd like some relics and artifacts from that very busy decade you will always find some right here at Portland Pandemonium's The 60's Were Groovy Shop:
https://www.ebay.com/str/portlandpandemonium/1960s-America-Boss-Radio/_i.html?store_cat=38704221017
We Will Scratch Your Vintage Itch
