PHOTOGRAPHS FROM BEIRUT, LEBANON, 1954-56.
Daniel W. VanArsdale, 7/2024
My last two years of high school, 1954-56, were at the American
Community School (ACS) in Beirut, Lebanon, an English language
boarding school. At the time, my father was an employee of the
Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO) in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia. At
this time relations between Arab countries and the US had remained
fairly friendly for decades. I used to wander around alone in Beirut,
including on the Westside, which was predominantly Arab. That
would not be safe now. I took 35mm black and white
photographs there and on ACS field trips. Some are presented here.
Beirut International Airport
"Prep", above ACS. A day school for locals; I think
associated
Goat herd on street next to the Mediterranean, a
couple blocks from
with AUB (American University of Beirut).
ACS. The herder makes a contemptuous gesture ("Up
Yours", also
Italian) seen fairly often from young men in Beirut. However
I was
never approached and did not feel threatened.
This man came by ACS a few times displaying a highly
trained monkey. I was told he did so all about the city, and
asked for a small amount of money for the entertainment.
.
American movies played in downtown Beirut theaters.
Downtown street scene.
ACS students often rode the trolley. Small herds of goats or
sheep
were often seen in Beirut.
Fully veiled women were common. Ethnic dress styles varied
Tripe. While
walking through residential areas a near universal
greatly. Some men wore very baggy pants. I was told these were
smell was that of mutton
cooking.
Kurds.
This
extremely narrow building was called the "Spite" building.
ACS students went on 3 or 4 field trips. One was to Baalbek,
I was
told that it was built to block the Mediterranean view from
a Roman site famous for extremely
large blocks of stone. One, part
a home
behind it. Here it is 70 years later.
of theTemple of Jupiter, weighs over 750 tons.
Another field trip was to Damascus, above is the border with
An
interior in Damascus.
An
archeological site in Damascus. The person is me, age 17.
Syria. These were
peaceful times and Americans were welcomed
guests.
This border is likely better secured now.
Daniel W. VanArsdale barnowl@silcom.com Index page