Creative Date Ideas: Blast from the Past Theme

For some people, celebrating the mystique and wonder of the past is a surefire way to their heart. There are many businesses across the state of Utah which have a bygone era theme or events. This listing is representative of just a few of them. Using the resources below as well as some careful planning and imagination can create a very pleasurable and memorable date.

1930's & 1940's
Often referred to as the 'Big Band Era', this time period was an amazing one musically. Greats such as Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, and Guy Lombardo were only a few who came into their own and peaked at this time. The Great Depression and the recovery from it add to the rich history and noteworthiness of this period in time.

Big Band and Swing
Especially popular in the 30's and 40's, Big Band music and Swing dancing can still be found alive and well in Utah.

Big Band & Swing Dancing - Hyrum (Cache County)
Elite Hall
98 West Main
*Best dress required

Swing Dancing - Provo (Utah County)
BYU Campus: Location changes. Use info at link for current information.

Dining
There is at least one establishment in Utah from the 1930's which actually still has food created from recipes of the time period on its menu.

Ruth's Diner - Salt Lake City(Salt Lake County)
2100 Emigration Canyon
*Past Hogle Zoo and This is the Place Monument
(801) 582-5807

Established in 1930, this historical diner serves food from recipes of that time period through now. In the summer, musical entertainment is provided on the patio. Also in the summer, one night a week, barbecue is prepared and served on the patio.

The Fabulous 1950's
Poodle skirts and Rock'n'Roll are not the only things which mark this time period as an especially exciting one in history. Drive in Restaurants and Drive in Movies were staples amongst the youth and some of their parents.

Drive In Restaurants
The history of the drive in restaurant begins in the 1920's, but the drive in restaurant wasn't really a popular and common place establishment until the 1950's when America developed a love affair with the automobile and fast food.

A & W Drive In - Across the State
This website's locator feature does not list the A & W in Logan, and you must use the 'Next' button below each short result list in order to view all of the Utah locations listed.

A & W Drive In -Logan (Cache County)
701 N Main St
Logan, UT 84321
(435) 752-2155

Iceberg Drive In - Across the State
This drive in restaurant chain offers a website with a location finder.

Sonic Drive In - Across the State
This drive in restaurant chain offers a website with a location finder.

Peach City - Brigham City (Box Elder County)
306 N Main St
(435) 723-3923

Call's Drive in -Perry (Box Elder County)
*limited seasonal hours of operation
1630 S Highway 89
(435) 723-2345

Maddox Drive In - Perry (Box Elder County)
1900 S Highway 89
(800) 544-5474
(435) 723-8545

Woody's Drive In - Salt Lake City (Salt Lake County)
6172 S 1300 E
Phone: (801) 266-6934

Drive In Movies
Like drive in restaurants, the drive in Movie Theater was started much earlier than the 1950's. A brief video presentation of drive in movie history may be viewed HERE. At the time of the writing of this article, the following were all operational drive in movie theaters in Utah.

Basin Drive In -Mount Pleasant (Uintah County)
680 North State Street
801-462-2712

Coleman's Motor-Vu Theatre - Ogden (Weber County)
located at 5368 S. 1050 West - Route 168
(just off Riverdale road; near Interstate-84)
801-394-1768

Redwood Drive In - Salt Lake City (Salt Lake County)
3688 S. Redwood Road, ½ mi east of I-215
(between West 3500 Street and West 3800 Street)
801-973-7088

Motor Vu Theater - Tooele (Tooele County)
located at 4055 N. State Hwy 36 (east side of 36)
435-882-2273

Additional Resources
The following links are to additional resources which can help you add to the 'authenticity' of your Blast from the Past date theme. Gifts, hair styles, fashion, recipes, and music are included.

1930's Theme Gifts
Multiple retro gift baskets and items for any occasion.

1930's Hat and Hair Styles
Many examples of hats and hair styles from 1930 - 1940

1930's Fashion
Pictures and detailed descriptions of fashion for men, women, and children in the 1930's.

1930's Music
History of music from that era, with a 'jukebox' on the site which may be played with music from that time.

1930's Vintage Cookbooks
Vintage cookbooks for sale. Cookbooks have wide assortment of recipes and stories.

"America Eats" Project Recipes
This National Public Radio (NPR) project uncovered hidden archives from the 1930's including recipes which are posted at this link.

1940's Theme Gifts
Multiple retro gift baskets and items for any occasion.

1940's Hat and Hair Styles: 1940 - 1945
Pictures of hat and hair styles from the years 1940 - 1945.

1940's Hat and Hair Styles: 1946 - 1949
Pictures of hat and hair styles from the years 1946 - 1949.

1940's Women's Fashion
Pictures of women's fashion from the 1940's. Links to more information and patterns.

1940's Costuming Guideline
Tips and information about how to dress as authentically as possible in the style of this era.

1940's Music
Music charts listing all the hits of the time. Some musical history information is included.

1940's Big Band Music Live
Listing by state of bands which may be hired to play authentic Big Band music.

Utah Swing Dance Association
Message Boards and Forums with the latest Swing Dancing news and events.

Antiquated Recipes of the 1940's
Unique collection of recipes from the 1940's.

1950's Theme Gifts
Multiple retro gift baskets and items for any occasion.

1950s Hair Styles and Fashion
Examples and resources.

1950s Music
Top Hits lists and Links to Music Sources

Reminiscent Recipes of the 1950's
Popular recipes from this time period.