Given our access to modern medicine and technology, most of us would rather stay put in the 21st century. But every once in a while, it’s nice to remember what it was like way back when the world was just a little slower. Luckily, there is plenty of photographic evidence to jog our memories. These photos of Minnesota from the early 1900s will take you back to a century ago.
- Once called Lake Mendoza, then Lake Calhoun, and now Bde Maka Ska, one of the most popular lakes in Minneaolis was equally beautiful way back in 1908 when this photo was first published.
Detroit Publishing/Wikimedia Commons
- This photo shows construction along North Wabasha Street in St. Paul. It was taken in the mid-1950s.
Michael Donovan/Wikimedia Commons
- This beautiful building is the Columbia Hotel in Ortonville, Minnesota. It was captured here all the way back in 1915. The building remained standing for over 100 years. Sadly, it was destroyed in a fire in 2012.
Wikimedia Commons
- If it weren’t for the old cars, you might not realize that this house and shop on State Street in St. Paul were photographed sometime in the 1920s.
Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest/Wikimedia Commons
- This shot of the inside of a Duluth clothing store dates back to 1905.
Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest/Wikimedia Commons
- The Iron Range was a busy place in the early 1900s. This photo dates back to the 1940s and was captured at Mahoning mine.
Wikimedia Commons
- This photo of the Minneapolis City Hall dates back to 1900.
Wikimedia Commons
- Hennepin Avenue was just as busy way back in the 1930s as it is today.
Michael Donovan/Wikimedia Commons
- This shot of the Minneapolis post office dates back to 1908.
Wikimedia Commons
- Rush City may be a small town, but it sure was busy in 1922.
Wikimedia Commons
- Itasca State Park has always been beautiful, even back in its early days. This photo was taken in 1930!
National Archives and Records Administration/Wikimedia Commons
What do you think? Where in Minnesota would you most like to see from the early 1900s? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Detroit Publishing/Wikimedia Commons
Michael Donovan/Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons
Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest/Wikimedia Commons
National Archives and Records Administration/Wikimedia Commons
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