And Lancaster city centre looked quite different from how it does now, especially on the roads which were virtually traffic free as car production was limited during wartime and the average cost of a vehicle in the Forties was around £300.
At the beginning of the decade, World War Two had barely begun but preparations were already being made for a Home Guard – or ‘Dad’s Army’ – in the city with another unit being formed for Morecambe and Heysham.
It wasn’t until 1943 that Lancashire established the Women’s Home Guard Auxiliaries.
Volunteers in Lancaster went to sign up at the Town Hall which is included in some of the photographs we feature today, thanks to Andrew Reilly of Lancaster Past & Present.
In case you missed them: Back to the 70s: 16 great old pictures show just how different Lancaster looked 50 years ago