11950s: The Precursor to the Modern Mall
JHU Sheridan Libraries/Gado//Getty ImagesIn the early 1950s, shopping centers with plenty of parking for cars became the precursor for the modern enclosed mall. Here, Northwood in Baltimore includes a grocery store.
21950s: Malls Are Born
Guy GilletteThe first enclosed mall, called Southdale Regional Shopping Center, opened in Minneapolis in 1956 so people could stay warm and dry while shopping.
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31950s: The First "Real" Mall
Grey VilletSouthdale even boasted a fountain and seating in its "interior garden court."
41950s: Automobile Shopping
Guy GilletteAlso inside Southdale, you could check out the latest features in new automobiles!
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51950s: Convenience for Customers
Guy GilletteThe lockers at Southdale enabled customers, who weren't used to shopping in such a large space, to not have to keep going back to their cars with packages.
61950s: Modern Architecture
Guy GilletteSouthdale was admired for its modern architectural sense. These lighting fixtures in the mall were quite chic!
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71950s: Precursor to the Food Court
Guy GilletteThis cafe in Southdale was the precursor to today's food court — though you'll notice they're using real dishes here, not paper!
81950s: Something for the Whole Family
Three Lions//Getty ImagesMalls began to find other ways of enticing and amusing the entire family to come by offering amusement rides like this ten-cent horse for the kiddies.
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91950s: Anchor Stores Arrive
H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock//Getty ImagesBy the late 1950s and early '60s, it wasn't unusual to find large department stores such as Sears "anchoring" one end of a mall.
101950s: The Heydey of Department Stores
Kirn Vintage Stock//Getty ImagesDepartment stores like this one in Chicago were packed with shoppers, especially during special sales promotions or grand opening celebrations.
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111950s: Mall Santas
University of Southern California//Getty ImagesSanta has appeared in department stores regularly since the late '40s, and then later, in malls. Even today, kids still line up to see him.
121960s: Marketing to Mall Shoppers
Mondadori Portfolio//Getty ImagesBy the early 1960s, malls became a place where retailers could aggressively market products, such as this organ demonstration to convince shoppers that they, too, could learn to play like a pro.
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131960s: Speciality Stores Arrive
H. Armstrong Roberts//Getty ImagesMany different speciality stores, such as those for hosiery or shoes, moved into malls as more and more people flocked to these centrally-located retail destinations.
141960s: The Mall as a Social Center
H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock//Getty ImagesWith everything located in one place, shopping became more of a social event.
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151960s: Something for Everyone
H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock//Getty ImagesMen also were drawn to malls by the scope of products offered, such as this golf equipment shop.
161960s: New Technology
H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock//Getty ImagesYou also could shop for one of those new-fangled devices, the color TV, at malls.
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171960s: Elaborate Holiday Displays
Dave Buresh//Getty ImagesMassive Christmas decorations and displays, like this one in Northglenn Mall in the Denver area, became a given during the holiday season.
181970s: Interior Gardens
H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock//Getty ImagesShowcasing plants was an innovation that became an essential element in malls of the '70s.
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191970s: Indoor Trees
Bill Peters//Getty ImagesHere, large trees brighten up the interior of Northglenn Mall. It was one of the few area malls to have live vegetation at the time.
201970s: Live Entertainment
Smith Collection/Gado//Getty ImagesLive entertainment to attract shoppers, like this band in a shopping center in Chicago, became a part of mall culture in the '70s.

Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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