New Jersey is one of the oldest states in the country — after all, it’s one of the original 13 colonies. However, it can be hard to visualize the Jersey of years past. That’s why we’ve collected some photos and pictures from the early 1900s to show what life in New Jersey was like back then.

1. This is the charming town of Oldwick in 1900.
Rutgers/Wikimedia
You still see houses like that today in New Jersey.
2. Yep, that's the Delaware Water Gap!
Detroit Publishing Co./Wikimedia
This river bend has long been a source of beauty and fascination for those in the area.
3. Check out Hoboken in 1900.
Rutgers/Wikimedia
This is Upper Bloomfield Street between 9th and 10th Streets. It looks so quiet!
4. Check out the freight office of the Allentown Terminal Railroad.
Ann Bartholomew/Wikimedia
This photo is from 1905.
5. The James Library Madison is pictured here in 1900.
Cornell University Library/Wikimedia
It's a beautiful building!
6. Even in 1911, Paterson was a bustling city.
Internet Archive Book Images/WIkimedia
Bikes are still a popular option for getting around!

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7. In this image, farm children head off to go to school.
Internet Archive Book Images/WIkimedia
It's kind of like today's school buses.
8. Here's Depot Park circa 1915.
Unknown author/Wikimedia
Just like today, people love visiting New Jersey's parks.
9. These people are manufacturing explosives at a factory in Haskell, New Jersey.
Unknown author/Wikimedia
It was in the midst of World War I.
10. World War I affected many families in New Jersey.
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration/Wikimedia
Here, a mother escorts her son off to military camp.
11. These New Jersey school kids are hard at work practicing calisthenics.
Center for Jewish History, NYC/Wikimedia
Gym class sure has evolved since then.
12. People emerge from a synagogue in Brotmanville circa 1900.
Center for Jewish History, NYC/Wikimedia
13. Women walk along the boardwalk in Seaside Park, New Jersey.
Unknown author/Wikimedia
Boardwalks have always been a big part of New Jersey beach life -- they just used to be a lot smaller, apparently.

Does it feel very different than New Jersey today?

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