Life in small town Ohio during the 1930s was very different from small town life in Ohio now. There were certain establishments, sights and places of business that almost every small town had back then. The following 16 vintage photos of Ohio showcase typical small town (and city) life throughout the state in the 1930s.
- The center of town in Urbana, Ohio
Ben Shahn/yale.edu Taken in August 1938.
- Lodging house in Marysville, Ohio
Ben Shahn/yale.edu “Home converted to lodging house Marysville, Ohio.” Taken in 1938.
- Ticket agent at a small town station in the Cincinnati area
Esther Bubley/yale.edu Taken in September 1943.
- Wagon pulling into town in Plain City, Ohio
Ben Shahn/yale.edu Taken in August 1938.
5.“ Street scene, Sunday afternoon”
Theodor Jung/yale.edu Taken in Jackson, Ohio in April 1936.
- Main Street in Lancaster, Ohio
Ben Shahn/yale.edu Taken in August 1938.
- Town Hall in Urbana, Ohio
Ben Shahn/yale.edu Taken in August 1938.
- Bus station in Marion, Ohio
Ben Shahn/yale.edu Taken in 1938.
- Home Cafe in London, Ohio
Ben Shahn/yale.edu Taken In 1938.
- “Small-town home example of ‘American baroque,’ in Jackson, Ohio”
Theodor Jung/yale.edu Taken in April 1936.
- General store and railroad crossing in Atlanta, Ohio
Arthur Rothstein/yale.edu Taken in January 1939.
12, Main and Court Streets in Circleville, Ohio
Ben Shahn/yale.edu Taken in 1938.
- “Two boys standing in front of candy store window. Street scene in Circleville, Ohio.”
Ben Shahn/yale.edu Taken in 1938.
- Post office in Sommerset, Ohio
Ben Shahn/yale.edu Taken in 1938.
- Workmen going home from work in Greenhills, Ohio
Russell Lee/yale.edu Taken in February 1937.
- “Gas station and gospel mission in Cleveland, Ohio”
John Vachon/yale.edu Taken in August 1937.
What do you think about these photos? Do they make you feel nostalgic and/or long for a simpler time? Share your thoughts and stories with us in the comments below!
Ben Shahn/yale.edu
Taken in August 1938.
“Home converted to lodging house Marysville, Ohio.” Taken in 1938.
Esther Bubley/yale.edu
Taken in September 1943.
Theodor Jung/yale.edu
Taken in Jackson, Ohio in April 1936.
Ben Shahn/yale.edu
Taken in 1938.
Taken In 1938.
Taken in April 1936.
Arthur Rothstein/yale.edu
Taken in January 1939.
Russell Lee/yale.edu
Taken in February 1937.
John Vachon/yale.edu
Taken in August 1937.
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