It’s hard to imagine what life was like 80 years ago in the Old Line State. Development, inventions, and population continues to rise and Maryland looks insanely different than it did in decades past. Take a look at the following images to get a glimpse of what every small town in Maryland had in the 1930s.
- A Barber Shop
John Vachon / Library of Congress LC-USF34-015616 The shops were small, and the barber was likely known by everyone in town. (Berwyn, 1937)
- A Post Office
John Vachon / Library of Congress LC-USF34-015615 When was the last time you visited a post office? In the 1930s, it was a must for keeping in touch. (Berwyn, 1937)
- Swimming Holes
Marion Post Wolcott / Library of Congress LC-USF33-030041 Not many people had access to a pool decades ago, so local lakes (and the Chesapeake Bay!) were go-to spots on a summer day. (Greenbelt, 1938)
- Farmland
Theodor Jung / Library of Congress LC-USF33-004008 Maryland’s prime industry was farming and thankfully, we still hold onto those roots. (Garrett County, 1935)
- A General Store
Theodor Jung / Library of Congress LC-USF33-004019 Forget the big chain grocery stores. In the 1930s, folks purchased all necessities at one general store. (Garrett County, 1935)
- A Blacksmith
Carl Mydans / Library of Congress LC-USF33-T01-000231 There weren’t many mass-production factories so blacksmiths were in high demand, handcrafting intricate household items and fixtures. (Prince Georges County, 1935)
- Dirt Roads
Arthur Rothstein / Library of Congress LC-USF34-005553 Rustic dirt roads were the norm and they were just as dusty as they look. (Garrett County, 1936)
- A Pharmacy
Arthur Rothstein / Library of Congress LC-USF33-T01-002648 Pharmacies were much more simple, offering basic remedies and first aid supplies. (Hagerstown, 1937)
- A Train Station
Arthur Rothstein / Library of Congress LC-USF33-T01-002656 While cars were around, trains were still the main source of transportation. Some of these historic train stations still remain around the state. (Hagerstown, 1937)
- Clotheslines
John Vachon / Library of Congress LC-USF33-T01-001031 Before dryers, there was the awkwardness of hanging underwear for all the neighbors to see. (Greenbelt, 1937)
For more vintage photos captured in Maryland, take a look at these fascinating images from The Great Depression.
John Vachon / Library of Congress LC-USF34-015616
The shops were small, and the barber was likely known by everyone in town. (Berwyn, 1937)
John Vachon / Library of Congress LC-USF34-015615
When was the last time you visited a post office? In the 1930s, it was a must for keeping in touch. (Berwyn, 1937)
Marion Post Wolcott / Library of Congress LC-USF33-030041
Not many people had access to a pool decades ago, so local lakes (and the Chesapeake Bay!) were go-to spots on a summer day. (Greenbelt, 1938)
Theodor Jung / Library of Congress LC-USF33-004008
Maryland’s prime industry was farming and thankfully, we still hold onto those roots. (Garrett County, 1935)
Theodor Jung / Library of Congress LC-USF33-004019
Forget the big chain grocery stores. In the 1930s, folks purchased all necessities at one general store. (Garrett County, 1935)
Carl Mydans / Library of Congress LC-USF33-T01-000231
There weren’t many mass-production factories so blacksmiths were in high demand, handcrafting intricate household items and fixtures. (Prince Georges County, 1935)
Arthur Rothstein / Library of Congress LC-USF34-005553
Rustic dirt roads were the norm and they were just as dusty as they look. (Garrett County, 1936)
Arthur Rothstein / Library of Congress LC-USF33-T01-002648
Pharmacies were much more simple, offering basic remedies and first aid supplies. (Hagerstown, 1937)
Arthur Rothstein / Library of Congress LC-USF33-T01-002656
While cars were around, trains were still the main source of transportation. Some of these historic train stations still remain around the state. (Hagerstown, 1937)
John Vachon / Library of Congress LC-USF33-T01-001031
Before dryers, there was the awkwardness of hanging underwear for all the neighbors to see. (Greenbelt, 1937)
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