27 Incredible Photos Showing What Life Was Like in the 1930s

It’s hard to believe that in a few years, it will have been 100 years since the 1930s. It’s so long ago that it’s hard to think about the realities of what life was like during that long-ago decade. This was a time with relatively no technology or any of the other luxuries of our current day. The jobs were much different, the hobbies and leisurely pursuits were completely different from what we know today, and the things we take for granted today simply didn’t exist. This incredible photo gallery will give you a better idea of what life was like back then.

You’ll see images of people working in various industries, from those in ice houses to automotive factories. Men and women all pitched in and did their part and it was a good time to be alive. It’s also interesting because the 1930s was an mix of old school and new school. For instance, you’ll see images of cowboys performing tricks alongside construction workers building skyscrapers in New York City.

This gallery also has images of what people did for fun back then. There are pictures of people sliding around on massive blocks of ice, enjoying street markets, and having a blast reading books in the local library. It was a very exciting time back then, and we think that shows in these images.

To determine what life was like in the 1930s, 24/7 Tempo reviewed many different historical sources, and we verified those against others. Our sources include the Library of Congress, History.com, and several public broadcasting services websites. We think you’ll enjoy this stroll through the history of life in this exciting decade. If you want to learn even more about decades past? Then check out this list of the biggest misconceptions about the 1960s .

There Were Many Different Jobs Back Then

Our first depiction of what life was like in the 1930s shows us the work being completed in a canning factory in America. Before the tomatoes could be canned, the predominately female workforce worked for eight hours peeling and coring ripe tomatoes before they went onto the next stage. It was hard work and the employees were on their feet all day, but they were proud of a job well done.

People Worked Together and Dined Together

People took their work very seriously back in the 1930s, but at many companies, like the National Cash Register Company, employees were also treated very well. In this image, we see the vast dining room where employees could go to get a bite to eat with their coworkers.

People Found Creative Ways to Have Fun

This image shows us what life was like in the 1930s when it came to having fun and blowing off some steam during the weekends. The women in this photo are riding on blocks of ice in a parking lot as cars pull them along.

This took place in California where the temperatures were likely perfect for this type of fun activity. This is something you don’t see these days.

Kids Went to Formal Schools

Schools were a bit different than they are today, and were much more formal. In this photo, we see several youngsters at a boys’ school in Boden, Georgia. They read and write while wearing matching uniforms. Classes were also typically smaller back then than they are today so the kids received more individual attention.

People Enjoyed the Street Market

People spent a lot of time outside during the 1930s, and one of the things they did was enjoy the many street markets that were littered across the country. This particular street market was in Chicago, Illinois. Everyone parked their vehicles and went on foot to check out the many stores.

The image is similar to many parking lots you might see today, except with more horses.

They Played Mini Golf in the Parking Lot

Another image shows us what life was like in the 1930s, and it wasn’t always that different from today. What we have here is many miniature golf courses in a parking lot in New York City.

No doubt the drivers weren’t thrilled that they had fewer parking spots, but going mini golfing was just as fun back then as it is now.

They Learned New Things at the Library

This image was taken at one of the wings of the New York Public Library, which houses the largest private collection of periodicals. During these days, when the internet wasn’t even a figment of their imaginations, people had to go to the library to learn about work, the world, and other things that interested them. There are many people enjoying their books in this photo, it’s clear they dressed up a little more than we typically do for a library trip.

Supermarkets Were a New Thing

While today, there’s seemingly a different supermarket on every street, back in the 1930s, this was a relatively new concept. People during that time mostly shopped at corner stores and local markets.

This image shows the very first supermarket, where the shoppers seemed to enjoy the opportunity to buy everything they needed under one roof.

They Left Work With Smiles on their Faces

This image shows 100s of employees leaving after a hard day of work at the Ford Motor factory in Detroit. The men appear to be of all ages and in good spirits as they head home to enjoy their families and put food on the table.

They Did Amazing Cowboy Tricks

This is another image of what life was like in the 1930s, especially during the weekends. The cowboy on the ground was balancing on his head as he waited for the horse to pass. When it did, the cowboy successfully lassoed it. This was a roping expedition, and it’s safe to say that the cowboy really impressed the crowd. This image was taken in 1931 in Washington.

The Workers Were Not Afraid to Take on The Tough Jobs

The buildings you see in cities like New York didn’t just appear overnight . Instead, it took hard-working folks to climb up and work on structures that were hundreds of feet up in the air. But they weren’t afraid. In fact, they had fun during their breaks, like in this picture where a group of men sit at dangerous heights and enjoy themselves while playing harmonicas.

Many People Drove Mini-Cars

In this image, we see two women getting gas in their mini-cars, before presumably heading out for more fun. These look like toys, but they were fully licensed to be driven on the roads. They cost $70 each. They may seem small, but they had room for a driver and a dog and they went almost as fast as the regular cars on the road.

There Were Different Rules for Swimsuits Back Then

While these days, swimsuits stretch the imagination and pretty much anything goes, this image shows what life was like in the 1930s when it came to swimwear. Around 1935, there were new regulations that censored swimsuits and how short they could be. This police officer took out an official measuring tape to ensure that this beachgoer was following the rules.

There Were Huge Telescopes

While this was the 1930s, there was no shortage of technological wonders that people could enjoy at the time. In this picture, several folks look through a giant telescope that was installed on the beach at Palm Beach, Florida. While a telescope is cool during the day, there’s no telling how many amazing stars they could see at night.

They Had Dust Storms

Just like today, there were many different types of weather that threatened the landscape. Back then, dust storms were a frequent reality. Known as the Dust Bowl, these storms were caused by heavy-handed and inexperienced farmers, weather pattern changes, and a severe drought. Either way, while potentially dangerous, dust storms were also very curious and they made for wild pictures.

They Made Their Own Fun During the Winter Time

Before the internet or cell phones, people of the 1930s had to make their own fun, regardless of the time of year.

In this image, we see several women in their swimming suits at a lake in Hampstead Heath, London. They seem to be having a blast breaking the ice. It’s unclear what they plan to do once the ice was broken.

The Signs Were More Poetic

This image shows a subway rider checking out a posted sign that looks like a false newspaper headline to warn pedestrians. The wording looks like poetry, but it’s actually a warning about the dangers of walking in the street without looking for oncoming traffic. It was an informational posting, but it also gave commuters something to read during long rides.

Many People Were Assisted by the Government

For many people, this was what life was like in the 1930s. The Great Depression was hard. Folks were out of work, and they needed help. Thanks to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, many people received temporary housing, as you can see here. The people in these tents would be trained in forestry work so they could make money for themselves and their families.

People Struggled During the Great Depression

When the Great Depression hit the country, things became very tough for many people. In this image, we see a long line of hundreds of people who are waiting simply to get some bread. This line is in New York on 6th Avenue and 42nd Street. Many people didn’t have work back then so they spend time all day in the hot sun simply trying to get food for their families.

The U.S. Mail Was a Big Deal

People were really excited about the U.S. mail back in the day. It was such as big deal that model Carol Carter was photographed putting a letter in a mailbox. In addition to showing the importance of the mail, Carter’s outfit shows how elegant people dressed even while completing menial tasks.

They Designed the 1939 World Fair

In this unique behind-the-scenes photo, we see some of the best architects in the city designing the many buildings that would be a part of the 1939 New York World’s Fair. The World’s Fair introduced people to new ideas, foods, and inventions for many years back in the day. Just to give you an idea, the amazing Eiffel Tower was built just for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. At the time, people hated it!

They Constructed the Empire State Building

In another image that defies the odds, we have two construction workers seemly unaffected as they work on the scaffolding at the top of the Empire State Building. These workers are at the top of the 102-story building, engaged in conversation as they work. The whole world is below them and it’s just another day on the job in the 1930s.

They Competed in Track Meets

This image shows four young men lining up at the start line before a race. Athletics is a great pursuit that allows men from various backgrounds to show their stuff. They’re surrounded by a crowd that includes spectators and other competitors that will challenge the racers later on.

Cotton was a Big Industry

This image shows us a couple of boys sitting on and around huge cotton bales. This picture was taken in a region known as the Cotton Belt in Texas. The Cotton Belt was also in Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, and parts of Florida. These days, machines take care of a lot of this work, but this image is another product of the time.

Ice Was a Hot Commodity

During the 1930s, people took their ice very seriously. The technology we have today with refrigerators and freezers was still pretty crude, so many people had to purchase their ice elsewhere. In this image, we see a ice house worker using a pair of calipers to move a large block of ice into a storage room. Many jobs back then were much different than what we have today.

They Lived in Huts at Seabrook Farm

Workers were often provided with room and board while they worked their jobs. In this image, we have huts that were constructed for the seasonal workers who worked at Seabrook Farm. Every year, 2,000-3,000 employees were employed at the farm. When the huts were full, the other employees stayed in a nearby trailer park.

There Was No Such Thing as Cell Phones

In this final image of what life was like in the 1930s, we see a row of female telephone switch operators waiting for calls to come in. Back then, instead of calling people like we do today, folks often had to call an operator who would then connect the caller to the recipient. The employees here seem to be very happy with their work. Things were much different back before phones. However, people found a way to make do. Want to know how? Check out this gallery of the 20 photos that show what kids did 100 years ago before they had screens .

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