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Posted in Nebraska History March 03, 2016 by Delana Lefevers

These 27 Photos of Nebraska In The 1970s Are Mesmerizing

Strolling down memory lane always takes you to some interesting places, as we’ve seen in pictures from WWII, the 1950s, and the 1960s, all taken in Nebraska. Now, these pictures from the U.S. National Archives give a very small look into Nebraska life in the 1970s. The pictures in this set were all taken in the mid-1970s (most in 1973) in the eastern part of the state by photographer Charles O’Rear for the EPA’s Documerica Project.

1. Members of the National Audubon Society make their way through the brush at the Rowe Bird Sanctuary, March 1975.

2. A farm somewhere near Lincoln, May 1973

3. This is Interstate 80 near Lincoln back in May of 1973.

4. This farm near Schuyler looks so cozy and inviting. May 1973.

5. From the original caption: "Charlie Gross outside Grafton post office. A former farmer truck driver, boxer, dog raiser and salesman, he has lived in Nebraska more than half his life, May 1973."

6. Here, the same Charlie Gross walks along Main Street in Grafton, May 1973.

7. John Dolezal, a farmer near Bee, looks tough and determined while standing in the rain.

8. A bucolic farmlands landscape just west of Lincoln, May 1973.

9. From the original caption: "Lincoln, the capital city, including subdivision on western edge. Lincoln has been described as a "rural city," with few of the pressures found in other metropolitan areas of the U.S., May 1973."

10. From the original caption: "The annual spring football game at the University of Nebraska is a stadium-packing event. It is an intra-squad game, and many fans wear red in tribute to the team, nicknamed the "Big Red," May 1973."

11. Football fans enjoy the game, May 1973.

12. It looks like a fun family outing at the game, with what appears to be three generations of a family, May 1973.

13. Memorial Stadium looked a bit less crowded back in May, 1973 than it does today.

14. From the original caption: "The Immanuel Lutheran Church marks the state line between Kansas and Nebraska, May 1973."

15. A row of houses in Fairbury, May 1973.

16. Farmer Frank Otte sits on the lawn with his grandson, Troy, while the rest of the family watches on. Mr. Otte was actually born on this farm. May 1973.

17. A pair of older ladies pause at an auction in Fairbury to chat for a few moments, May 1973.

18. A farm just Northeast of Friend in Seward County, May 1973.

19. Ladies from the Golden Circle Senior Citizens Club in Fairmont show off a quilt they made for their town's centennial celebration raffle, May 1973.

20. A rather dejected-looking your man walks down a street in downtown Omaha, suitcase in hand, May 1973.

21. Farmer John Dolezal stands in a very muddy sheep pen on his farm near Bee, May 1973.

22. A fundraiser sign sits in front of the Jefferson County courthouse in Fairbury, May 1973.

23. A traffic pileup on Omaha's Dodge Street in May 1973. Just look at all of those awesome (now-vintage) cars!

24. Shoppers look over items at a Saturday auction near Hickman, May 1973.

25. Campaign signs line Dodge Street in Omaha, May 1973.

26. From the original caption: "Surprise for Dick Christian (at table), at Beaver Crossing High School alumni party, May 1973." We sure would love to know the story behind this image!

27. Rolling green farmland in Lancaster county, May 1973.

That was a fun glimpse into the past, even though the set only showed a very small part of the state. Did you recognize any of the people or places in these photos?

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Delana Lefevers

As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.