In the 1930s, Minnesota was starting to have the same balance of urban and rural we are used to today. While the rural towns dwindled, the city and what would becoming the suburbs started to grow. Looking at houses from that time, from the log cabins of the North, to the farmhouses of the South, and the residential neighborhoods of the cities really opens your eyes to the time period. Pay special attention to the detail and decor of these 13 houses for a unique look at the families of the 30s.
- This modern house in Hibbing is absolutely stunning. It’s definitely atypical of the time.
Photogrammar/John Vachon
- This is the residential section of Hibbing looks brand new by the end of the 1930s. Notice some of the traditional architecture versus this modern house on the end.
Photogrammar/John Vachon Residential section. Hibbing, Minnesota
- The kitchen of Charles Swanson near Northome is one of the most interesting things to look at. See if you recognize some of the foods on the top shelf.
Photogrammar/Russell Lee Kitchen in home of Charles Swanson near Northome, Minnesota.
- In North Hibbing, this house is sitting precariously on the edge of the world’s largest open pit mine. It will likely be demolished soon to allow for expansion of mining operations.
Photogrammar/John Vachon
- This beautiful home near Faribault is a classic representation of the American Dream surrounded by a white picket fence.
Photogrammar/John Vachon
Here is a look at the inside of a typical farmhouse with photos on the walls and some laundry laid out. Do you remember when photos used to be framed like this? Do you have any like this?
This house won the beautification prize from the Chamber of Commerce in Grand Rapids!
Photogrammar/John Vachon
From the moment you walk into this farmhouse it feels like home as you pass the personal photos and the family’s belongings hanging organized on wall hooks.
The parlor of Steve Planders’ farmhouse has a great sitting area and some family portraits hung on the walls.
Photogrammar/Russell Lee
- J.W. Panchot’s farmhouse in Northome was the product of several phases of add-ons.
Photogrammar/Russell Lee J. W. Panchot’s farmhouse near Northome, Minnesota.
- This farmhouse near Northome is fairly typical of 1930s rural Minnesota.
Photogrammar/Russell Lee Farmhouse on cut-over land near Northome, Minnesota
This is the interior of a cut-over farmhouse near Northome.
William Besson’s log cabin near Winton has some amazing detail.
Photogrammar/Russell Lee Detail of log cabin occupied by William Besson, mining prospector, near Winton, Minnesota.
Did you find any similarities between these photos and homes when you grew up in Minnesota? What made you the most nostalgic?
Photogrammar/John Vachon
Residential section. Hibbing, Minnesota
Photogrammar/Russell Lee
Kitchen in home of Charles Swanson near Northome, Minnesota.
J. W. Panchot’s farmhouse near Northome, Minnesota.
Farmhouse on cut-over land near Northome, Minnesota
Detail of log cabin occupied by William Besson, mining prospector, near Winton, Minnesota.
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