Posted in Missouri November 01, 2015 by

This Is What Missouri Looked Like 100 Years Ago…It May Surprise You

Missouri has a rich history, and works to preserve it. There are more than 2,000 places in Missouri that are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. In addition, one of the greatest ways to preserve Missouri history is through photographs. From the buildings and streets to the people and events, here’s the way it looked a century ago. All pictures are from between 1896 and 1915.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
1. Board of Trade Building, Kansas City, circa 1906.
"Board of Trade Building, Kansas City, Mo. by Unnamed photographer for Detroit Publishing Co. - Detroit Publishing Co. photo, c. 1906.
2. Liberty Bell - Transferring the Liberty Bell from truck to train at St. Louis after the Exposition, 1905.
"LibertyBell1905" by Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
3. Public library, Kansas City, between 1900-1906.
"Public library, Kansas City, Mo. - by Uncredited photographer for Detroit Publishing
4. Union Station, St. Louis, Missouri, about 1909.
"Stl-union-station" by Not credited.
5. Walnut St., Kansas City, 1906.
"Walnut-street-kcmo-1906" by Detroit Publishing Company
6. Kellogg Wooden wall phone, early 1900's.
Flickr/ Master of Telxons
7. Capital Construction, 1913-1916.
Courtesy of the Missouri State Archives.
8. Carthage Public Library, 1906.
Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N.Y.; Carolyn Trout, Joplin Public Library.
9. Eight workers at Cook Bros. Carriage Co., 1902-03.
St. Louis Jewish Community Archives.
10. Southeast Missouri State University Old Normal, 1898.
"Southeast Missouri State University Old Normal". Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikipedia -
11. Main Street, looking south, Joplin, 1910.
"Main Street, Looking South, Joplin, MO" by Unknown
12. The Government Building at the 1904 World's Fair held in St. Louis in Forest Park.
"Louisiana Purchase Exposition St. Louis 1904" by David R. Francis - The Universal Exposition of 1904 (St. Louis: Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, 1905), p. 91.
13. Child workers in Kirksville, 1910.
"Child workers in Kirksville, MO"
14. City Hall, St. Louis, 1907.
"City Hall, St. Louis, Missouri" from a 1907 postcard.
15. Irish immigrants, 1909.
"Irish immigrants 1909" by Deceased family member
16. Eight year old newsie in St. Louis, 1910.
"Eight year old newsie in St Louis" by Lewis Hine - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress

What do you think of these historical photos?   Do you have any family pictures from this time period you would like to share?  Any stories about the images that were shared? Let me know in the comments below.