Life 100+ years ago in Iowa was certainly different than it is today. These fun old photographs give us a chance to look back in time at the lives of people who called Iowa “home” long before we were born. They also offer a glimpse into the history of our great state.
This is an old photograph of Jack’s Lunch in Grand Junction, Iowa on U.S. 30.
photolibrarian/Flickr
This 1911 print is just a little bit on the creepy side. It’s from a collection of Red Oak, Iowa family photos.
pml2008/Flickr
This old postcard features the Shell Rock, Iowa, Mill Bridge stretching over the Shell Rock River.
photolibrarian/Flickr
This 1914 photo taken in Ft. Madison, Iowa shows a family who is clearly thrilled to be featured.
PROJanice Waltzer Follow/Flickr
Ya know, Iowa corn in the early 1900s was a lot bigger than it is today. This post card exaggeration was 1908’s idea of a joke. It comes from Waukon, Iowa in Allamakee County.
Don…The UpNorth Memo/Flickr
Have you ever wondered what the cops looked like in 1886? Here it is; the Des Moines, Iowa Police Department protecting and serving the city’s citizens over 120 years ago.
Carl Wycoff/Flickr
This is the original St. Luke’s Hospital building in Davenport, Iowa. Before it was a hospital, it was the home of Daniel Newcomb. It was a hospital between April 1885 and December 1919.
Wikipedia/Celtic Cousins
Real photo postcards offer incredible detail, even though they are quite old. This one shows a street view in Clermont, Iowa.
Roadsidepictures/Flickr
This early photo from the Des Moines Police Department archives shows the town’s fire department members in front of Station #2.
Carl Wycoff/Flickr
Iowa State University in Ames has some important historical buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. This photograph shows Morrill Hall.
Library of Congress/Wikimedia
Do you have old photos you’d like to share with Only In Iowa? Show us in the comments!
photolibrarian/Flickr
pml2008/Flickr
PROJanice Waltzer Follow/Flickr
Don…The UpNorth Memo/Flickr
Carl Wycoff/Flickr
Wikipedia/Celtic Cousins
Roadsidepictures/Flickr
Library of Congress/Wikimedia
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