There’s Something Special About These 12 Illinois Farms From The Past

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.

2. A windmill operates on a farm in Harvard, Illinois in 1937.

3. A man handpicks corn in Mercer County in 1936.

4. Women pick summer asparagus crop during the war in 1942.

5. A man and woman stand at the back of their farmhouse in Marseilles in 1937.

6. In Williamson County in 1939, two farmers take a small break.

7. This is a charming winter farm scene from 1939 in Williamson County.

8. This is a shot of a barnyard in La Salle County in 1937.

9. Boys play with a pet goat in Crawford in 1940.

10. A man plants tomatoes with the help of his two daughters.

11. This shot of a corn farm near Danville doesn't look too different than they do today.

12. A farm family stops to take a photo in Crawford in 1940.

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