When central air conditioning was not yet a thing, summers were a challenge for many families. Staying cool in the summer was an art form that required creativity and a tolerance for discomfort. Here are some experiences we all remember if we grew up in a house without air conditioning.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Sleeping on the Screened Porch
- 2 2. Box Fans in Every Window
- 3 3. Basement Retreats
- 4 4. Public Pool Migration
- 5 5. Sprinkler Games
- 6 6. Movie Theater Refuge
- 7 7. Window Manipulation Masters
- 8 8. Frozen Treats as Currency
- 9 9. Wet Washcloth Cooling
- 10 10. Evening Block Parties
- 11 11. Library Afternoons
- 12 12. Paper Fan Artistry
1. Sleeping on the Screened Porch
Family members would pull sleeping mats out to the screened porch so that they could catch the slight breeze and listen to the crickets. Lots of families in the neighborhood would spend the night sleeping outdoors to form a community on hot summer nights.
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2. Box Fans in Every Window
Mom and Dad would open the windows on opposite sides of the house, and we would set up box fans to blow air in and out to create a wind tunnel for sleeping.
3. Basement Retreats
The coolest place in the house was the basement, and we spent summer afternoons playing games on the cement floor. During heat waves, many families moved sleeping arrangements down there for the duration of the hot nights.
4. Public Pool Migration
If you were under 20 in the summer of 1995, you spent every day at the neighborhood pool. If you were even a little bit too old to be there, you probably got yelled at a lot by a lifeguard for cannonballing, but it was a rite of passage.
5. Sprinkler Games
An informal water park was set up in everyone’s back yards. We would spend an entire day walking through water and making up games and challenges. The made became muddy and as long as they kept us entertained and cool parents didn’t mind the muddy mess.
6. Movie Theater Refuge
One of the only air-conditioned places was the movie theater that was located in our town. We would save our allowance to buy tickets for double features because it meant we could sit in the air conditioning for a longer time. Many of us escaped the heat by seeing the same movie over and over again.
7. Window Manipulation Masters
Everyone became good at window management – figuring out which ones to open during the night when the breeze was cool and which to keep shut during the heat of the day. Each family developed a system which was passed down as though it was secret knowledge.
8. Frozen Treats as Currency
Kool-Aid that was frozen in trays was a daily delight in the hot weather. The sound of the ice cream truck was like a call to turn out and chase it even if we only had a small amount of money, ice cream sandwiches and popsicles were also considered to be extremely valuable.
9. Wet Washcloth Cooling
We would use cold wash cloths to help cool us down. In order to help keep cool some people would sleep with damp sheets even though the humidity could make that backfire.
10. Evening Block Parties
When the sun went down and the temperature went down, entire neighborhoods would come out of their homes. The cool relative temperature would be enjoyed by everyone, kids playing and adults gathering on porches. These gatherings formed a community.
11. Library Afternoons
The library became a refuge from the heat for us. As one of the only public places with air conditioning, we would spend endless hours looking through books, enjoying the coolness of the library and the stillness it provided. It was the only real and enjoyable option, so many of us became avid readers.
12. Paper Fan Artistry
We mastered making fans from just about anything, including newspapers, church bulletins, and even assignments. The skill of making fans and the proper techniques for fanning were passed down from generation to generation. Some people were able to sleep while fanning themselves!
