Posted in North Dakota December 05, 2016 by Leah

Here’s What Life In North Dakota Looked Like In The 1930s

There are things in life that are constantly changing, and others that have remained for decades. When thinking about the past, what do you think of that isn’t around anymore? What is different today? At the same time, what parts of the everyday life in North Dakota specifically are still around? Looking back at these photographs from the 1930s taken here in our state may help answer some of these questions, and give us a glimpse into exactly what it was like back then.

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. Shoveling snow in downtown Hettinger, ND.

2. A man named Herman Gerling, posing with his dog and cat on the truck he used to haul water in barrels up from the spring to his farm.

3. A hardware store window and advertisements in Crosby, ND.

4. Children reading from a catalogue at their farm home's kitchen table.

5. Farmers unloading hay into their truck near Dickinson. At the time it cost about $20 for a ton.

6. Children building a snow fort during their recess at a school in Morton County.

7. The grain elevator and flour mill in Fargo, ND.

8. A fancier farmhouse than most at this time, taken in 1937.

9. Saturday afternoon crowd catching up with each other on a street corner in Williston.

10. Rural classroom photo taken in October of 1937. You can see Halloween decorations on the window.

11. Cars parked along the street next to a cafe.

It’s always fascinating to reflect on the past once and a while. What similarities and differences can you see from these photographs while comparing them to today? There are tons of obvious ones, of course, but there are subtle things in there, too.

See more rare, vintage photographs of North Dakota here!