You know, it’s probably true that most of us have wondered what it would have been like to live once upon a time. Many of us have claimed at some point to have been “born in the wrong century,” and sometimes, it totally feels like it’s true. Unfortunately, we can’t exactly build a time machine and go back to those days of yore, but what we can do is take a trip back in time via some fascinating old photos. These historic photos from Indiana give us a tiny glimpse of what life was once like in the Hoosier State.
- Old Central School, 1905
A.H. Reading/Steven R. Shook Collection/Flickr This spooky-but-gorgeous old-school (see what we did there?) school was actually the site of four different schools over time. The original building, built in 1871, was rebuilt in 1904. This photo was shot in 1905, and in 1938, this incarnation of the school burned to the ground. Today, it’s known as Central Elementary School, and this old photo is one of the only relics left of a time long past.
- Deep River, 1910
P.L. Huckins/Steven R. Shook Collection/Flickr
This photo was shot in 1910 of a small segment of an unincorporated community nearby the city of Gary. It was once called Woodvale, and it was neglected almost as quickly as it sprang up once upon a time.
- Chesterton-Porter Ice Company, 1900
Photographer Unknown/Steven R. Shook Collection/Flickr We’re going way back for this one! This was shot in Chesterton, Indiana, in 1900. It was taken at what is now the intersection of Calumet Road and Broadway Avenue, and if you go there today, the buildings in the background of this photo are still there.
- Girls Going Home, 1908
Lewis Wickes Hine/Library of Congress/Picryl This intriguing photo was shot in Indianapolis in 1908, depicting young women leaving work at the Indianapolis Tile Works factory. We don’t know about you, but we really love those old-timey work outfits.
- Speaking of work… 1908
Lewis Wickes Hine/Library of Congress/Picryl This image was shot of men and boys at work at the Indianapolis Furniture Factory in 1908. It was shot at noon - lunch time - and we’re blown away by just how young some of those young men are. The early 1900s was a very different time, for sure.
- The 1913 Presidential Inauguration, 1913
Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress/Picryl President Woodrow Wilson chose none other than a Hoosier to serve as his Vice President, and in 1913, Thomas R. Marshall, a lawyer and former governor from Indianapolis, was sworn in as VP. He was known for his remarkably witty sense of humor, though not everyone was a fan. It’s said that Wilson was so annoyed with Marshall’s sense of humor that he moved his entire office out of the White House. We don’t know about you, but we’re pretty proud of that kind of wit!
- Indy Market, 1908
Lewis Wickes Hine/Library of Congress/Picryl If there’s anything Hoosiers love that we’ve ALWAYS loved, it’s our farmers and open-air markets! This tradition goes back - way back - and this photo, shot in 1908, depicts some vendors and customers at an outdoor market in Indianapolis. Is it just us or does that produce look great?
So, what do you think of these historic photos from Indiana? Do you have any favorites? Show us (or tell us about them) in the comments!
A.H. Reading/Steven R. Shook Collection/Flickr
This spooky-but-gorgeous old-school (see what we did there?) school was actually the site of four different schools over time. The original building, built in 1871, was rebuilt in 1904. This photo was shot in 1905, and in 1938, this incarnation of the school burned to the ground. Today, it’s known as Central Elementary School, and this old photo is one of the only relics left of a time long past.
P.L. Huckins/Steven R. Shook Collection/Flickr
This photo was shot in 1910 of a small segment of an unincorporated community nearby the city of Gary. It was once called Woodvale, and it was neglected almost as quickly as it sprang up once upon a time.
Photographer Unknown/Steven R. Shook Collection/Flickr
We’re going way back for this one! This was shot in Chesterton, Indiana, in 1900. It was taken at what is now the intersection of Calumet Road and Broadway Avenue, and if you go there today, the buildings in the background of this photo are still there.
Lewis Wickes Hine/Library of Congress/Picryl
This intriguing photo was shot in Indianapolis in 1908, depicting young women leaving work at the Indianapolis Tile Works factory. We don’t know about you, but we really love those old-timey work outfits.
This image was shot of men and boys at work at the Indianapolis Furniture Factory in 1908. It was shot at noon - lunch time - and we’re blown away by just how young some of those young men are. The early 1900s was a very different time, for sure.
Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress/Picryl
President Woodrow Wilson chose none other than a Hoosier to serve as his Vice President, and in 1913, Thomas R. Marshall, a lawyer and former governor from Indianapolis, was sworn in as VP. He was known for his remarkably witty sense of humor, though not everyone was a fan. It’s said that Wilson was so annoyed with Marshall’s sense of humor that he moved his entire office out of the White House. We don’t know about you, but we’re pretty proud of that kind of wit!
If there’s anything Hoosiers love that we’ve ALWAYS loved, it’s our farmers and open-air markets! This tradition goes back - way back - and this photo, shot in 1908, depicts some vendors and customers at an outdoor market in Indianapolis. Is it just us or does that produce look great?
For more historic Hoosier State photographs, these are some of the oldest photos ever taken in Indiana.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Indiana, USA
