The 1960s and 70s were a magical time when your front porch wasn’t just a place to relax—it was the stage for a steady stream of home deliveries. Long before two-day shipping or food delivery apps, families relied on a mix of tradition and convenience to get essentials (and treats!) dropped off at their doorsteps. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit the amazing things that came to us back then, and why they eventually disappeared.
1. Milk Bottles
The clinking of glass bottles early in the morning was a familiar sound. Milkmen not only delivered fresh milk in reusable glass bottles but often brought cream, butter, and even eggs. It was all about freshness, and milkmen became part of the family routine. Today’s grocery trips and plastic cartons make milk delivery a rarity, as changing lifestyles and the rise of supermarkets phased out these friendly visits.
2. Seltzer Water
Before sparkling water brands like LaCroix were trendy, seltzer delivery was the height of fizz sophistication. Delivered in sturdy, pressurized glass siphon bottles, it was perfect for everything from cocktails to spritzers. This old-world charm faded as soda gained popularity and home carbonation kits like SodaStream became available, but seltzer delivery had a cult following for decades.
3. Newspapers and Magazines
Few things were as satisfying as waking up to find the day’s news waiting on your doorstep. The morning paper or the latest issue of Life or Reader’s Digest was an essential part of life. Newspaper boys—often teenagers earning pocket money—brought the stories of the world straight to us. While digital news has mostly replaced print, this tradition holds a warm spot in our hearts.
4. Fresh Bread
In some areas, bakeries delivered warm, fresh bread in the early hours of the day. There’s nothing quite like the smell of bread right out of the oven. With industrialization and the rise of pre-packaged bread brands, these small-bakery delivery routes gradually disappeared.
5. Laundry and Dry Cleaning
If you remember hanging up your laundry, you also might recall the convenience of laundry and dry-cleaning services. Bags of dirty clothes were whisked away and returned pressed and spotless. It saved a ton of hassle, especially for families with work uniforms or school dress codes. The growth of home washers and dryers largely replaced this service.
6. Ice Cream Trucks
The jingling bells of an ice cream truck were pure joy in the 60s and 70s. While trucks didn’t deliver straight to your door, they brought frozen treats close enough to count! From Bomb Pops to Creamsicles, they offered a variety of desserts perfect for summer afternoons. This tradition still exists in some neighborhoods but is much less common than back then.
7. TV Repair Services
When your TV broke down, you didn’t toss it or head to the store for a new one. Instead, a repairman came right to your house to fix it. Often lugging their tools and replacement parts in a hefty case, they could get you back to watching I Love Lucy or Happy Days in no time. Modern disposable tech has made this personal service almost obsolete.
8. Groceries
Grocery delivery wasn’t invented by modern apps! In the 60s and 70s, small markets often offered delivery for regular customers. You could call in your order, and a friendly grocer would bring staples like flour, sugar, and produce. This convenience faded with the rise of big supermarkets, where driving and self-service became the norm.
9. Catalog Purchases
If you remember poring over the Sears or Montgomery Ward catalog, you know the joy of ordering everything from clothes to home appliances and having it delivered. This was the Amazon of its time, but orders took weeks instead of days. Catalog shopping was an exciting, slower-paced way to get what you needed—and what you wanted!
10. Dairy Treats
In addition to milk, some dairies delivered extras like chocolate milk, ice cream, and yogurt. Imagine a weekly drop-off of these indulgent treats! The convenience and quality made them popular until large grocery chains began dominating the market.
11. Coal and Heating Oil
For homes with furnaces or stoves, fuel delivery was essential. Coal trucks dropped off loads for homeowners to shovel into their bins, while heating oil deliveries ensured homes stayed warm in the winter. As central heating systems improved, these services gradually became less common.
12. Books
Whether it was a subscription to a book club like Book-of-the-Month or door-to-door salesmen pitching encyclopedias, books arrived at your home in style. These deliveries felt personal and luxurious, connecting readers to the printed word long before e-readers took over.
13. Pharmacy Items
Many local drugstores offered delivery for prescriptions and basic pharmacy items. This service was a lifesaver for families with sick kids or elderly relatives. While some pharmacies still provide delivery, it’s nothing like the personal, small-town feel of yesteryear.
14. Home-Cooked Meals
Though not as widespread, some areas had small businesses delivering homemade meals to families, especially those with busy schedules or elderly residents. These were precursors to modern meal services like HelloFresh, but they had a distinctly local charm.
15. Beer and Soda
In certain neighborhoods, you could have cases of beer or soda delivered straight to your door. Perfect for parties or stocking up, it saved trips to the store. As liquor laws and retail trends evolved, this service dwindled, though some modern delivery apps have brought it back in a new form.
The 60s and 70s were defined by this personal touch—neighbors knew their milkman or delivery driver by name, and these services brought communities together in ways we’ve mostly lost. While today’s delivery culture is convenient, it can’t replicate the warmth of those daily interactions. What do you miss most about the deliveries of yesteryear?
