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 West side, 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
Goat herd on street next to the Mediterranean, a
think it
was associated with the American University
couple blocks from from ACS. The herder
makes a
of
Beirut (AUB), which was a few blocks from ACS.
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 regularly rode the trolley. Small herds of
goats or
sheep were often seen in Beirut.
Fully veiled women were common. Ethnic dress styles Tripe. While
walking through residential areas a
varied greatly. Some men wore very baggy pants. I common smell was mutton cooking.
was told these were Druze.
This
extremely narrow building was called the
ACS students went on 3 or 4 field trips. One was to
Baalbek,
"Spite" building. I was
told that it was built a Roman archaeological site famous for the extremely
to block the Mediterranean view
from a home
large blocks of stone employed.
behind it. Here it is 70 years later.
Another field trip was to Damascus, above is the An
interior in Damascus.
An
archaeological site in Damascus. That is me, age 17.
border between Lebanon and 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