American photographer Ralph Morse took these lovely photos that show the life of children at the school bus stop in New Jersey in 1971.
Young children seem curious and energetic as they playfully pass the time before the bus arrives.
Snapshots immortalize the bus stop as a place for childhood friendships to blossom through shared routine.
Older students chat in groups, reading newspapers or catching up with friends at the start of the day.
The candid photos reveal period fashion and hairstyles popular among youth in the 70s.
These photographs preserve the liberating experience of kids exploring independence and responsibility.
The images reflect America's growth, as busing enabled consolidation of neighborhood schools.
Scenes of suburbia provide context, showing tract homes and families spreading across America.
The black and white film lends a timeless, nostalgic character to these ordinary, overlooked moments.
As an enduring site of memory, the bus stop represents childhood milestones and transition.
Though decades ago, the joys and anxieties of kids heading off to school remain relatable today.
Both orderly lines and lively gatherings unfold as students pour out of cars and onto bus benches.
Students of various ages are seen waiting eagerly at the bus stop, backpacks and lunch boxes in hand.
Both solitary moments and social interactions are captured at the bus stop each morning.