It’s been a while since 10 cents could pay for a movie. Just ask Herbert Thomas. He has seen the change of the times.
"Back in the day, you could buy a loaf of bread for 5 cents, a pound of bologna for 5 cents and a gallon of milk for a quarter," says Thomas. "What can you buy for a quarter nowadays? A pack of gum?"
Born Nov. 11, 1927, Thomas grew up in McAlpin, W. Va. As a child, he delivered newspapers for about $3 a week.
"It was the late 30s, and that was a lot of money back then."
Although Thomas’ family wasn’t rich and didn’t have modern conveniences, such as a refrigerator, Thomas says he enjoyed his simple childhood.
"It was fun growing up for us," he says.
Thomas and his family grew corn, cabbage, beans, tomatoes and other vegetables in their garden, which he and his brothers and sisters would harvest in the fall. They also used to fish in the creek and hunt for rabbits in the woods.
Often, the family raised pigs and chickens on their property.
"Around Thanksgiving, which was hog-killing time, we would kill the pig and cut it up. "
Thomas was a high school student during part of World War II. He worked for the railroad during the summer, making $7 a day.
"That was BIG money," he says. "I could do a lot with $7."
Thomas finished high school in May 1946, then joined the army. Although he was trained to shoot aircraft guns, Thomas spent 13 months in Japan walking guard duty. He earned $62 a month.
Following the war, Thomas returned to West Virginia. However, jobs were scarce.
"I worked in the coal mine for four years when I came back, making 69 cents a ton. Do you know how much a ton is? Two thousand pounds. All that for 69 cents."
So, in 1952, Thomas left West Virginia to find work in Detroit. According to Thomas, the North was full of promise.
"Black people in the South were packing up left and right."
Thomas found a job with the Kelsey Hayes Wheel Co., where he worked for 25 years. But life in the North was not without its hardships.
Thomas goes on to say that he never regretted coming up here.
"Sure, it was hard in the beginning. We stayed in a cramped apartment, but soon after we were able to rent a house."
Eventually, Thomas was able to build a family in Detroit.
"I go to back home to visit about twice a year, but I never regretted starting a family in Detroit."