[T-Bird45]

Interesting about cafeterias in NW KS in the 50s & 60s. Is it possible that it had to do with the rural nature of the area, i.e. long distances? I grew up in Arkansas City KS, population around 13,000 in my youth. In the 50s and into the early 60s, there were still one-room rural schools in operation in that county with grades 1-8.

[tdscpa]

I was born and raised in Colby, about 4,000 pop. at that time. On further thought, I think I did carry a lunch box to school for a year or two (1st & 2nd grade) before they built a new “middle school” (Jr. High) that had the cafeteria.