When I went through school in the 1950s, algebra was a HS freshman subject that most took. After graduating from college, I taught HS math (algebra and pre-calculus) and computer programming (via GE/Dartmouth Timesharing) for 5 years ending in 1970. For that period of time, algebra was still a HS freshman subject.
Having said all this, I actually learned algebra in 8th grade; however, it wasn’t taught. I got a hold of some of my dads’s books and taught myself.
In regard to taking algebra in freshmen year. It was the same with me. Geometry was a sophomore subject. Not sure of logic for changing it.
Algebra was a 9th grade high school subject for college bound kids until the 2000s as far as I know
When I was young there was algebra for the whizzes, the regulars, and the dumbs. All worked on it and made their goals.