Vintage advertisements show what things cost through decades of Dayton history

Vintage advertisements show what things cost through decades of Dayton history

Vintage advertisements show what things cost through decades of Dayton history

We thought it would be interesting to look at how the price of certain items changed throughout the decades.

We went back in the Dayton Daily News archives to find advertised prices on cars, groceries, clothing, electronics, homes and more from the 1930s through the 1980s.

1930s

In 1939, you could buy a Dodge Luxury Liner, which was considered a large six-passenger sedan, for $815.

In 1939, you could buy a Dodge Luxury Liner, which was considered a large six-passenger sedan, for $815. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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You could get a 6-piece bedroom set for $69 in 1937.

An advertisement from Sept. 10, 1937, found in the Dayton Daily News archives.

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1940s

A full loaf of Marvel Bread cost 13 cents at the A&P grocery store in 1948.

An advertisement from 1948 found in the Dayton Daily News archives.

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Midriff pajamas were all the rage in 1945. They could be found at Elder’s for $4.

Midriff pajamas were all the rage in 1945. They could be found at Elder's for $4.

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You could still get a single bottle of Coke for 5 cents back in 1949, which was the same price you could get it for in the 1920s.

You could still get a single bottle of Coke for 5 cents back in 1949, which was the same price you could get it for in the 1920s. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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A pound of Red Circle Coffee from A&P could be found for as low as 40 cents back in 1948.

A pound of Red Circle Coffee from A&P could be found for as low as 40 cents back in 1948. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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1950s

A six-pack of Pepsi costs 29 cents at Kroger in 1957.

An advertisement from Aug. 29, 1957, found in the Dayton Daily News archives.

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Bicycles were never so cool as when Huffy came out with the Radio Bike in 1956. It could have been yours for $69.95 from Rike’s.

Bicycles were never so cool as when Huffy came out with the Radio Bike in 1956. It could have been yours for $69.95 at Rike's department store.

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A Kodak Brownie “Holiday Flash” camera cost $9.85 in 1956. That included the camera, flash holder, flash guard, film, batteries and bulbs.

A Kodak Brownie "Holiday Flash" camera cost $9.85 in 1956. That included the camera, flash holder, flash guard, film, batteries and bulbs. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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A Philco HiFi console, with its famous electrostatic sound system could be found on sale at Elder’s for $158 in 1959. If you wanted it to come with A.M. and F.M. radio, that would cost you a little more at $198.

A Philco HiFi console, with its famous electrostatic sound system could be found on sale at Elder's for $158 in 1959. If you wanted it to come with A.M. and F.M. radio, that would cost you a little more at $198. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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Whether you were “a young man going places” or had already “arrived” in 1954, you could find Dacron-wool spring suits at the Metropolitan for $49.75 or $54.75, depending on the if you wanted “flannels in silvertone” or “sharkskins in fleck weaves.”

Whether you were “a young man going places” or had already “arrived” in 1954, you could find Dacron-wool spring suits at the Metropolitan for $49.75 or $54.75, depending on the if you wanted “flannels in silvertone” or “sharkskins in fleck weaves.” DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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1960s

An RCA, portable 18-inch color television would cost you $419.95 at Rike’s in 1968.

An advertisement from 1968 found in the Dayton Daily News archives.

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In 1965 you could get two half gallons of milk in glass bottles for 55 cents or in plastic cartons for 62 cents at UDF.

In 1965 you could get 2 half gallons of milk in glass bottles for 55 cents or in plastic cartons for 62 cents at UDF. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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In 1966 you could find a new 4 bedroom, 2 both home made by Arrowhead Homes in Xenia for $15,390.

In 1966 you could find a new 4 bedroom, 2 both home made by Arrowhead Homes in Xenia for $15,390. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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If you were hungry back in 1963, you might want to head over to Parkmoor’s, where the Dixie Golden Fried Chicken Dinner, with five big pieces of chicken plus french fries, cole slaw and a roll would only cost you 97 cents.

If you were hungry back in 1963, you might want to head over to Parkmoor's, where the Dixie Golden Fried Chicken Dinner, with five big pieces of chicken plus french fries, cole slaw and a roll would only cost you 97 cents. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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Lawson’s grocery store was selling bologna for 39 cents a pound in 1968.

Lawson's grocery store was selling bologna for 39 cents a pound in 1968. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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1970s

A six-pack of 16oz. bottles of Diet Rite or RC Cola cost 69 cents in 1976.

A six-pack of 16oz. bottles of Diet Rite or RC Cola cost 69 cents in 1976. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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It would be pretty pricey to see Elton John in concert these days, but if you were a fan back in 1973, you could see him at UD Arena where the most expensive ticket was $6.

The price to see Elton John in concert would be pretty pricy these days, but if you were a fan back in 1973, you could see him at UD Arena where the most expensive ticket was $6. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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Looking to move to Springboro in 1972? You could find a home in Tamarack Hills from $25,350.

Looking to move to Springboro in 1972? You could find a home in Tamarack Hills from $25,350. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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If you wanted Cincinnati Bengals gear for kids, you could find official jackets for $16.95 and sweaters for $9 at Elder-Beerman.

An advertisement from Sept. 7, 1973, found in the Dayton Daily News archives.

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“Get your hands on a Toyota. You’ll never let go” was the slogan for the 1972 Toyota Corolla, which was a great deal at $1,956.

A DDN advertisement from 1972. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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1980s

An Atari 400 cost $99.99 and the Atari 2600 cost $69.99 at Gold Circle in 1983.

An advertisement from May 15, 1983, found in the Dayton Daily News archives.

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If you liked country music in 1985, you could see Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys and special guests Sawyer Brown at the University of Dayton arena for $15.50.

If you liked country music in 1985, you could see Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys and special guests Sawyer Brown at the University of Dayton arena for $15.50. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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The classic white Reeboks could be found on sale at Lazarus in 1987. All styles under $50.

An advertisement from Aug. 27, 1987, found in the Dayton Daily News archives.

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A prime rib and lobster tail combination dinner at the Brown Derby restaurant would cost just $9.95 in 1989.

Advertisement for the Brown Derby restaurant from 1989. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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At Toys ‘R’ Us you could get a Nintendo action set with amazing, lifelike graphics, controllers, light guns and a double game pack for $99.99 in 1989.

At Toys 'R' Us you could get a Nintendo action set with amazing, lifelike graphics, controllers, light guns and a double game pack for $99.99 in 1989. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVES

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