Here Are Some Of The Oldest Photos Ever Taken In Minnesota And They’re Incredible

Minnesota became a state in 1858, not long after photography began to spread across the globe. Many of the earliest photos of our state are long gone, but others remain to give us a glimpse into what life was like in the early days of our state. These old photos of Minnesota from the 1860s to 1900 may be some of the oldest Minnesota pictures. They offer a fascinating look at the history of the North Star State, from the state's early logging operations to some of its most famous natural wonders. Take a look!

1. This image shows an instructor holding a skull and standing next to a human skeleton in front of a class of at least 13 women and three men in 1889.

2. Enormous logs float in a Minnesota river, showing just how big the logging industry was in the 19th century. This photo dates back to 1867.

3. Even 100 years ago, Lake Superior was a busy shipping hub. This photo depicts a boat on the lake in Duluth around the year 1890.

4. The original Union Depot was built in St. Paul in 1881. This photo shows the historic building in 1887, just six years after construction was completed.

5. This 1895 photo shows a group of men loading huge logs onto a horse-drawn sled in Park Rapids, Minnesota.

6. This photo shows the elaborate bar of the Fred Schiek Co. Bar in Minneapolis around 1895.

7. This stereograph, dating back to 1860, shows Minnehaha Falls, complete with a contemplative man gazing upon the rushing water from a rustic wooden bench.

8. By 1890, St. Paul's population surpassed 100,000 people. You can see just how much the city had grown since its founding in this 1896 shot from Daytons Bluff.

9. Another 1890s photo of New Ulm, this one shows a serene view of the Minnesota River in 1898.

10. A woman looks over confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. In the background, you can just make out a low building nestled among the trees.

11. Two women, one with a bicycle, meet in the doorway of a Minnesota School of Fine Arts building in 1889.

12. This shot shows a clear view of the Winona Sugar Loaf. The photo dates back to 1898, before the area was as populated and developed as it is today.

What did you think of these old photos of Minnesota? I love looking at Minnesota's landscape when it was still mostly undeveloped. It really makes me appreciate my Bold North roots. Did any of the pictures stick out to you? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

If you love going back in time, check out these 23 historic pictures of Minnesota during the Great Depression.