A strong part of Illinois’ history is its farming past. While farming is a current part of our present and definitely a part of our future, Illinois looks less and less like how it did 70 years ago. Luckily, there are some great photos documenting Illinois’ farming past.

1. A man tends his pigs in Gallatin County in 1939.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
2. A windmill operates on a farm in Harvard, Illinois in 1937.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
3. A man handpicks corn in Mercer County in 1936.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
4. Women pick summer asparagus crop during the war in 1942.
Ann Rosener/Photogrammar
5. A man and woman stand at the back of their farmhouse in Marseilles in 1937.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
6. In Williamson County in 1939, two farmers take a small break.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar

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7. This is a charming winter farm scene from 1939 in Williamson County.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
8. This is a shot of a barnyard in La Salle County in 1937.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
9. Boys play with a pet goat in Crawford in 1940.
John Vachon/Photogrammar
10. A man plants tomatoes with the help of his two daughters.
John Vachon/Photogrammar
11. This shot of a corn farm near Danville doesn't look too different than they do today.
John Vachon/Photogrammar
12. A farm family stops to take a photo in Crawford in 1940.
John Vachon/Photogrammar

If you have any old photos of Illinois farm life, be sure to share them on the Only in Illinois Facebook page.

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