These Rare Photos Show What Small Iowa Towns Looked Like in the 1930s
Rare photos from the 1930s showcase the simple and community-focused life in Iowa.
Life in the 1930s in Iowa looked much different than it does today. The combined crises of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression meant that Iowans, and really Midwesterners in general, were forced to become more resilient and stretch whatever resources they had. Communities came together, neighbors leaned on one another, and they worked hard to usher in a better life for their children. These 14 rare photos will show you how surprisingly different life was nearly 100 years ago, and how everyday life in Iowa used to be.
1. A proud courthouse, which was often the site of picnics and play.
2. A yearly carnival or county fair, like this one in Marshalltown.
3. Friendly neighbors, who would stop and greet each other in the street.
4. A secondhand store full of treasures, like this one in Council Bluffs.
5. A local newspaper, like the Daily Reporter in Spencer.
6. A hometown hardware store, where you could find anything and everything you ever needed.
7. A schoolhouse where you can bet the teacher knew your name, along with everyone else's in the class.
8. A church, of course, as no town could be complete without one.
9. A pool and beer hall where the men would gather after a long day at work.
10. A Main Street that was the center of the town, like this one in Dickens.
11. A bank, or a cafe, or a bank and a cafe combined, like this one in Milford.
12. A harness shop, where you could get your high-quality harness hand-made right there in the shop.
13. A general store, which also served as a post office, coffee shop, clothing store, shopping mall, and grocery store.
Judging from these historic photos of Iowa, do you believe life in the 1930s in Iowa was simpler than it is today? Share your thoughts with us in the comments! Also, if you have any interesting stories about what it was like in the 1930s in Iowa, we would love for you to share those with us, as well! If you're as proud of your Iowa roots as we are of ours, why not show your pride?
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