Gentlemen, Start Your Beards – May 1955

It's funny how beards have become so popular in the last few years.

And I don't mean the usual goatees or well-trimmed beards that never seem to go out of style. I mean long beards. Lumberjack-quality beards. Beards that would be right at home on one of the Smith Brothers (shown above).

I'm not a big fan of them. Not because I can't grow one (I think I could); it's just that I think the really long ones are almost cartoonish. 

From the Warner Bros. Bugs Bunny cartoon, "Hillbilly Hare"

But they're in style, so that's that.

Anyway, back in the 1950s, many villages, communities, etc. were celebrating centennials. And to commemorate the occasion, they sponsored beard-growing contests, so that the applicants would end up resembling their pioneer ancestors.

Back in May 1955, the Lorain County Centennial Fair was only a few months away. Of course, part of of the festivities involved – what else? – a beard growing contest. Below is the small article that appeared on the front page of the May 5, 1955 Lorain Journal.

As you can see, there were three categories: the Mutton Chops (suddenly I'm a little hungry); the Abe Lincoln; and the combination spade and Van Dyke. And each entrant had to submit proof that they were clean-shaven at the time of application (by way of a note from a barber).

The cash prizes were nothing to shake a beard at, either.

Ironically, at that exact time, a beard-related plot was playing out in the Gasoline Alley comic strip beginning the week of May 2, 1955. Walt Wallet was growing one for some kind of centennial, and taking a lot of abuse from friends and family for doing it.