Life in California during the early 1900s wasn’t easy for many. However, communities persisted to form the fully-fledged cities and vibrant communities that we’re familiar with today. It’s one thing to read about the Golden State’s history in a textbook, but it’s something else entirely to see it with your own eyes. These photos will take you back to a different era and give you an incredible glimpse at what life in Northern California was like back then.

Taken in 1935 near Redding, the matriarch of a family that's camped near a creek bed and panning for gold. "Slept in a bed all my life long till now - sleeping on the ground."
Lange, Dorothea/Library of Congress
Supervised play for the children is provided at this Marysville camp for migrants - one of many Resettlement Administration camps in California.
Lange, Dorothea/Library of Congress
Moviegoers arrive at the motion picture show in Redding, California in 1942. Tickets were much cheaper back then!
Lee, Russell/Library of Congress
Youngsters making the most of summer at a beach in Redding. Some things never change.
Lee, Russell/Library of Congress
Workmen enjoying their lunch break before heading back to work on the Shasta Dam construction.
Lee, Russell/Library of Congress

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A newsie makes a sale on December 7, 1941. Photo taken in Redding.
Lee, Russell/Library of Congress
This tent is the home of a family of seven from Tennessee. Living in a camp outside of Sacramento, the family came to California after work in the mines began to slow. "Thought we could make it better out here."
Lange, Dorothea/Library of Congress
On the San Francisco waterfront, longshoremen take their lunch hour in February 1937.
Lange, Dorothea/Library of Congress
Hitching a ride on the main street in Yreka in July 1942.
Lee, Russell/Library of Congress
A group of Mexican agricultural laborers arrives in good spirits by train to help harvest beets near Stockton, California.
Collins, Marjory/Library of Congress

These photos are just amazing! Which of these photos stood out to you the most? Let us know in the comments below!

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