Monochrome Portraits: American Teenagers Captured in the 1950s_US Old Stories

In June 1954, LIFE magazine published an article titled “The Luckiest Generation” that, revisited 60 years later, feels like an almost perfect snapshot of a certain segment of American society at a particular moment in the nation’s history…

In aura of fun and well-being, students dance in gym of Carlsbad’s high school at weekly ‘Sock Hop’ to music of a 12-piece student band.

Cars of Carlsbad High students fill own parking lot.

Electrician, Jack Harris, 16, still in school, picks up $40 to $50 in part-time repair jobs.

A teenage sales girl holds a blouse up to a customer in a store, 1954.

Young investor, David Lenske, 17, having bought four AT&T shares, talks with banker, 1954.

Outtake from “Luckiest Generation” feature in LIFE magazine, 1954.

Teenage mechanic, 1954.

Bookkeeper Rada Alexander, 19, gets $200 a month in auto firm job she got after graduation.

Sonny Thayer, 19, packs for hunting trip.

Utility worker, Jack Krueger, 19, who finished high school in 1952, earns $2.24 an hour.

Prosperous pay-off of after-school jobs brings Mike Sweeney and Harold Riley (right) with Pat Marsh (left), Nita Wheeler, all 17, to Carlsbad’s Red Barn restaurant, a favorite party spot.