Yard Sales; Why didn't they have them when I was a kid?

[Adam Helmer]

I like yard sales and was trying to determine when they began. I do not ever recall seeing any in the 1950s, 60s, 70s or even the 1980s. Has anyone an idea when this craze hit the USA? I am glad yard sales evolved into American culture, but when was the first one you ever heard about or saw?

Adam