Mayfair Mall, Wauwatosa Wisconsin 1963

This authentic 1960s color photograph, captured in 1963, depicts a tranquil afternoon on the pedestrian concourse of Mayfair Mall (then known as Mayfair Shopping Center) in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The archival image features a prominent graphic pylon sign titled “Mayfair Coming Events,” which includes a seasonal advertisement directed at “mothers!” alongside the mall’s stylized logo. The landscape design is quintessentially mid-century, showcasing circular stone-bordered planters filled with white petunias, mature honey locust trees, and manicured hedges. Shoppers are seen resting on wooden benches near a pedestal drinking fountain, while the background reveals the clean, flat-roofed architecture and pink support columns of the original open-air storefronts. Unique “spaceship” style modernist street lamps are situated throughout the court, further defining the era’s aesthetic. Opened in 1958, Mayfair was a premier example of the post-war suburban shopping center designed to provide a park-like atmosphere for the Milwaukee community. While the mall was fully enclosed in the 1970s and has since become a high-end indoor destination, this factual record preserves the airy, outdoor charm of its original configuration. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.