17 Amazing Doorstep Deliveries Only 60s and 70s Kids Will Remember

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The 1960s and 1970s were peculiar years of overwhelming societal changes and the mingling of old and new traditions. Communities were closely knit, and neighborhoods supported one another.

Have you ever wondered how milk deliveries went from a common sight to an almost forgotten practice? In 1975, 94 percent of British milk was delivered in glass bottles straight to doorsteps, but by 2016, that number had dropped to just 3 percent.

The sound of a truck pulling up or a familiar figure at the door was often exciting for children. It brought necessities, little luxuries, and usually surprises that brightened daily life.

Milk

A milkman delivered milk to doorsteps in glass bottles with foil caps. These bottles were returned after use for reuse and refilling. According to USDA agricultural surveys, about 30 percent of milk was delivered to homes in the 1960s.

Homes didn’t have refrigeration at this time, and milk was perishable. Daily milk delivery meant the milk wouldn’t spoil before people could drink it.

But wait—what happened to the milkman, once a familiar and reliable part of everyday life?

Newspaper

Local newspapers were delivered daily to homes by neighborhood kids, often referred to as paperboys or papergirls. They would ride bicycles with a large bag of papers slung over their shoulders and throw them onto porches.

“There were about 60 houses to call on my morning delivery round spread over a distance of perhaps 4 miles,” recalls John Howes.

It was an early morning ritual that sometimes became teenagers’ first job. Sometimes, the paper was awaited with bated breath for news, comics, and advertisements. Who remembers The Daily Herald, The Daily Sketch, News Chronicle, and The Children’s Newspaper?

Eggs

Egg delivery entailed farmers or small vendors delivering fresh eggs to the doorstep, mostly packed in ordinary cartons or wooden crates. Those eggs were much fresher than store-bought and came from local farms.

Deliveries had regular schedules, and many families often had a continuing order placed. Some sellers even allowed children to show them the chickens on routes, which also added amusement to the service.

Ice Cream Trucks

Not precisely order-in food and doorstep delivery, ice cream trucks brought cold sweets to children at home. The tune of music playing in each truck foretold an ice cream truck had entered the vicinity. Toting popular frozen delicacies included popsicles, drumsticks, and push-pops.

“The ice cream trucks were very clean and organized, compared to the junky-looking ice cream trucks we see today, at least in our neighborhood!” said Bobbie Lewis.

“One day I was playing in the park by myself and I saw that exact truck go by. It did not stop in our neighborhood. I told other kids about it later but no one else had seen it,” Barbara Buck says.

Bakery Delivery

Bread trucks were often seen in front of neighborhood homes, where local bakeries had vendors using driveways to convenience their customers.

Many times, these trucks would pull up in the back alleys to more easily reach homes’ kitchen doors to deliver freshly baked bread, rolls, and pastry items.

Deliveries were made in iconic vans, sometimes painted with logos of famous local bakeries. It was common to have standing orders, ensuring the family had their daily bread.

Coal

Coal delivery was integral to homes that used coal fires in heaters and ovens. The coalman carried heavy sacks of coal down to coal bunkers or repositories.

Kids were often fascinated by the sooty process and the ruggedness of the coalmen. A coal truck coming onto the street was noisy, but it heralded warmth during winter.

Soda Pop

Local soda bottlers delivered their products in wooden cases of glass bottles. For many neighborhoods, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, the sound of a soda delivery was distinct and familiar.

Neighbors would often look on in envy as other neighbors got their cases of glass bottles cold, and the clink-clink sounds of the bottlers unloading and loading are the signature sounds of an era.

Laundry Services

Before general household washing machines, a laundry service would collect dirty clothes and return them clean and pressed. This often included ironing and folding to make life easier for busy households.

It usually came once a week and was either wrapped up or bagged. This service was synonymous with the scent of fresh, cleaned laundry.

Fruit and Vegetables

Local farmers or greengrocers delivered fresh seasonal produce to doorsteps in reusable baskets or crates. Families often place orders for staples such as potatoes, carrots, and apples, sometimes adding exotic treats.

Most of the produce was fresher than from stores because it came directly from farms. These deliveries stimulated healthier eating and supported local businesses.

Ice Delivery

Before widespread refrigeration, ice delivery was an essential service. Blocks of ice were used to cool iceboxes. The blocks were heavy and required some skill to move around.

Delivered by icemen with large tongs, ice chips were sometimes begged for by kids on hot days, making the delivery a mini-event. The decline of ice delivery coincided with the rise of affordable household refrigerators.

Books

Book clubs and catalogs, such as Scholastic Book Club, would deliver books ordered through the mail right to one’s doorstep. Children would look forward to receiving their favorite books or new additions.

The service truly supported reading and exploration of all types of genres, from comic books to encyclopedias. It was like a treasure package of books just for them.

Meat and Fish

Butchers and fishmongers would deliver fresh cuts of meats and seafood, often wrapped in brown papers. Orders were prepared according to family preference and ranged from sausages to filets.

Deliveries would be made fresh during the early part of the day. Some of these vendors even had a specific call to make their arrival in the neighborhood well-known.

Apparel or Sewing Patterns

Tailored clothing services and sewing patterns were delivered to households, especially for homemakers who enjoyed sewing. Magazines or companies allowed customers to select designs shipped to their doorsteps.

It was a personalized way to stay stylish and resourceful. Many kids wore handmade clothes crafted from these patterns.

Catalog Orders

Retail giants like Sears would deliver catalog-ordered goods, from clothing to toys, right to one’s doorstep. Families would circle items in huge catalogs and send orders in by mail or telephone.

Waiting for delivery was a thrill in itself, especially around holidays like Christmas. These were often modern online shopping in their predecessor’s guise.

Record Clubs

Music enthusiasts signed up to record clubs, which dispatched vinyl records right to your door on subscription. A member would select albums from the choice catalog every month and anxiously await their arrival.

These services introduced individuals to new artists and genres they had never heard of and helped expand their musical horizons. Opening a new record felt like unwrapping a gift of sound.

Avon Cosmetics

Avon ladies brought cosmetic products to the consumer’s doorstep with a personal touch when buying. They facilitated samples, advice, and a catalog to choose from for the family.

The services became a social event for the homemaker as one enjoyed the warm representatives. Avon deliveries often included perfumes, cosmetics, and toiletries.

Farm Fresh Dairy and Cheese

Others were specialists in delivering dairy products like butter, cheese, and cream. These locally made products were very well known because of their strong smell.

They were delivered according to the needs of the household so that they were always in stock. The children enjoyed tasting the fresh products, especially cheeses with a lot of cream.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.