The “Old Postcards” digital archive presents a 1978 Soviet postcard depicting the newly developed residential districts of Kherson.
What is shown on the postcard
The postcard captures a multi-section nine-story residential building of 1970s Soviet modernist design. The ground floor features an extended commercial gallery with large glass display windows and signs in Ukrainian: “Електротовари” (Electrical goods), “Подарунки” (Gifts), “Парфумерія” (Perfumery), and others. Street lighting and tree branches in the right foreground are visible.
Historical note
During the 1970s, Kherson experienced intensive urban development driven by the expansion of local industries, such as the cotton mill and the shipyard. This era saw mass construction of new residential neighborhoods featuring standard multi-story panel and brick apartment designs with ground-floor commercial spaces for retail and services.
Present day
Most of the residential buildings constructed in the 1970s continue to serve as Kherson’s housing stock. The ground-floor commercial spaces have since replaced their Soviet-era signage with modern retail brands, undergoing various facade renovations and interior redevelopments to accommodate local private businesses.
Questions and answers
- What building is depicted on the postcard? The postcard shows a multi-section nine-story residential building constructed in the 1970s with built-in shops on the ground floor.
- What shops were located on the ground floor of the building in 1978? According to the signs on the facade, the ground floor housed shops such as ‘Електротовари’ (Electrical goods), ‘Подарунки’ (Gifts), and ‘Парфумерія’ (Perfumery).
- What caused the construction boom in Kherson during the 1970s? Mass residential construction was driven by the rapid expansion of the city’s major industrial enterprises, including the cotton mill and the shipyard.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Kherson from 1978.
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