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Illinois History

This Is What Illinois Looked Like 100 Years Ago... It May Surprise You

By Laura | Published November 13, 2015

I guess it’s possible that Only in Your State has some centenarians as readers, but for most of us, we have no idea what Illinois looked like 100 years ago. But thanks to people who kept these photos in moderately good condition and shared them, we have a better idea. Here are some great pictures of Illinois as it once was.

1. These kids INVENTED mean mugging!

2. This was the Fort Sheridan water tower circa 1900.

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3. This Ferris wheel was nothing like the one you see at Navy Pier.

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4. There was no TLC show to capture the lives of this Illinois family in 1900.

5. You weren't buying a car on credit, you were buying a wagon with cash.

6. In 1908, this car was SWEEEEEET!

7. None of these football players was making $100 million a year.

8. This is what a hardware store looked like in Illinois in 1905.

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9. I'm still not sure what the point of this picture is.

10. Check out this 1910 traffic jam!

11. Much different feel at this barbershop than Supercuts or something.

12. Fewer offerings than CVS at this early 1900s drugstore.

13. Well-behaved Illinois schoolchildren in the early 1900s.

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14. Man and wife enjoying life in Arthur, IL circa 1905.

15. Real Housewives of Moultrie County, circa 1905?

Hey, do you have some old pictures of Illinois as it once was? Be sure to share them on the Only in Illinois Facebook page!

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