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35 Vintage Photos of the Mid-1930s

History May 23, 2025

Last Updated on May 23, 2025 by Matt Staff

The mid-1930s was a time that was marked by rapid change, resilience, and an overriding sense of quiet strength throughout America, and beyond. Still yet gripped by the Great Depression, people were able to find numerous ways to power through intense bouts of hardship, while communities leaned on one another, and culture continued to evolve at a steady pace. This collection of 35 vintage photos provides a vivid window into that everyday life, capturing the various scenes that help paint a picture of the mid-1930s.

1. Cavalry training in England in 1935

Soldiers in uniform practice mounting wooden horse dummies in an outdoor training area, with buildings in the background. One soldier observes while others perform the exercise.
onepersononeidea

2. Louisiana 1935

Four children stand barefoot in the doorway of a wooden house. One girl leans against the doorframe, while two boys and another girl stand inside, all looking toward the camera. An empty wooden chair sits on the porch.
thrifterbynature

3. Midtown Manhattan. New York City in 1935

Black and white photo of a city skyline with historic buildings in the foreground and tall skyscrapers in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.
hjuggertnaut

4. A sweet street kiss in 1935

A couple stands close together on a city sidewalk near a building corner, both wearing coats and hats. Other people walk in the background, and a sign is visible across the street. The scene appears to be from the early 20th century.
anonymous

5. A woman plays a special piano designed for those dealing with bedrest

A woman lies in bed under a blanket, playing a piano specially designed to be positioned over her, allowing her to play while reclining. Sheet music is open above the keyboard.
dualexplanation8155

6. A police officer directing traffic in London’s fog with the help of an apparatus connected with the gas main, 1935

A police officer in a long white coat and helmet stands on a cobblestone street, raising one hand to direct traffic beside a pole with a burning flame. Blurred pedestrians and an old car are visible in the foggy background.
deniscard

7. A little girl uses the telephone in a 1935 Sweden

A young girl in a floral dress uses a vintage telephone switchboard, holding a receiver to her ear and connecting cords, while standing beside a table with a lamp and a cat. The scene appears to be from the early 20th century.
vagueyeti

8. A post office out in Nethers, Virginia in 1935

Black-and-white photo of people sitting and standing on the porch of an old wooden building labeled "Nethers, P.O." A girl leans on a post, while others sit casually. A house is visible in the background.
infamousleopard383

9. Sharecroppers in front of their cabin out in Arkansas in 1935

A man in overalls and a woman in a patterned dress stand solemnly in front of a log cabin, with a lantern hanging beside the door.
ocdtimesontimes

10. Grandma and grandpa way back in the day in 1935

A vintage black-and-white photo of a smiling woman in a light coat standing closely next to a serious-looking man in a dark overcoat, posing together in front of a wooden building.
deleted

11. Pike and Henry street out in Manhattan in 1935

A vintage city street scene with people walking, old cars parked, and fire escapes on buildings. In the background, the Manhattan Bridge towers over the street, partially shrouded in mist.
jocke75

12. Two students in a dorm room in the University of Kentucky in 1935

Two young men in a college dorm room study at their desks. The room has pennants, a window with a patterned curtain, beds, books, and framed photos on a desk. The overall scene appears to be from the mid-20th century.
mydoggoldi

13. A destitute family out in the Ozark Mountains area in 1935

A family of four, including a man, woman, young boy, and baby, sits in an old car outdoors. The man drives, wearing a cap and gloves; the woman cradles the baby. All appear serious and are dressed in worn clothing.
deleted

14. Schoolboys cheering at a swimming carnival in 1935

A group of excited young boys wear suits, ties, and hats, smiling and cheering together in a crowd, likely at a public event or celebration.
glenngoldenyears

15. A milkman on his route in an interesting little truck

A vintage milk delivery truck labeled "Producers Vitamin D Milk" is parked on a suburban street. A man carrying bottles of milk walks on the sidewalk toward a house with a steeply pitched roof.
jaykirsch

16. An old 1935 saloon out in Virginia City, Nevada

A black-and-white photo of a vintage bar interior with high stools along a long counter, framed paintings on the walls, antique lamps hanging from the ceiling, and a person standing behind the bar.
axlcobainvedder

17. A college dorm room back in 1935

A vintage desk with a typewriter, books, and a lamp sits against a floral wallpapered wall. Above the desk is a map of the United States, surrounded by black-and-white celebrity photos. A trash bin is on the floor nearby.
anonymous

18. Someone’s great grandfather back in 1935

Two men in suits stand on a ship, one smoking a pipe, the other holding a cigarette. They pose with a life preserver labeled "CHAMPLAIN HAVRE." The image appears vintage, likely from the early to mid-20th century.
glumfeed1170

19. Delivering Ford vehicles in Detroit, Michigan, in the U.S. of 1935

A vintage Ford dealership with a large billboard reading "Ford Sales–Service Open All Night." Multiple 1930s Ford cars are loaded on a transporter and parked nearby. Snow covers parts of the ground.
myipodstillworks

20. A Ukranian girl in a folk costume back in 1935

Black and white photo of a young girl wearing traditional Ukrainian folk clothing, including an embroidered shirt, layered necklaces, and a floral wreath with long ribbons in her hair. She sits facing the camera with a calm expression.
gagator43

21. Some students cook during a high school home economics class in Maryland in 1935

Black and white photo of young women in patterned dresses and aprons cooking and mixing ingredients in a kitchen classroom with bowls and utensils on the table.
deleted

22. Mr. Mark Hill on his 45-year-old penny farthing bicycle in London in 1935

An elderly man in a suit and cap rides a tall penny-farthing bicycle on a wet city street, with brick buildings, a traffic light, and horse-drawn carts in the background.
infmaousleopard383

23. Franklin Elementary School class in Provo, Utah, 1935

Black and white photo of a large group of schoolchildren and one adult, posed in rows outside in front of a brick school building with arched windows and trees, likely taken in the early 20th century.
michaelconfoy

24. Some Japanese farms use a water wheel for irrigation in 1935

Two men operate a traditional wooden water wheel by a canal, surrounded by grass and trees, with a dirt road and more trees in the background under a clear sky.
catinshoes

25. New Year’s Eve at the El Morroco Nightclub in New York City

A group of people in formal attire raise their glasses and smile at a lively party, surrounded by decorated tables and palm tree decorations in the background.
axlcobainvedder

26. Peak hour traffic in Cleveland in 1935

Black-and-white photo of a busy city street filled with 1930s-era cars. Several pedestrians stand near a gas station in the background, and buildings line both sides of the street.
deleted

27. A tenant farming family back in November of 1935

A woman and a young child stand indoors beside a table with framed pictures and a lamp. The woman looks downward while the child gazes directly at the camera. The scene appears old-fashioned and somber.
morganmorgan19

28. A one week old foal back in 1935

A young girl in a dress and cardigan feeds a tiny foal in an outdoor area with a blurred brick building in the background.
deleted

29. The throwback baby car seats were just a tad bit nightmarish

A baby in a diaper stands on the front seat of a vintage car, holding onto the backrest and looking toward the camera through the open door. Sunlight streams in, illuminating the scene.
deleted

30. Unemployed and living out of urban huts back in the Manhattan of 1935

Two men stand outside makeshift wooden shacks against a brick wall. One man is lighting the other’s cigarette, and various items hang on the shacks, with barred windows visible above. The scene is in black and white.
hjooverpaul

31. A soba noodles deliveryman out in the Tokyo, Japan of 1935

A man riding a bicycle on a wet street balances a tall stack of boxes on his head with one hand, while steering the bike with the other. Trees and a building with posters are in the background.
dannydutch1

32. A farm security administration school in Alabama in 1935

A teacher stands by a chalkboard in a rustic classroom, reading to six young children seated on benches near a metal stove. The chalkboard displays the words: "Cat, little cat, See little cat.
lepke2011

33. The Norva Theater out in Norfolk, Virginia in 1934

A busy city street from the early 20th century with streetcars, horse-drawn carriages, vintage cars, and crowds of people near shops and a theater showing "The Count of Monte Cristo.
Screenshot

34. The Main Street of Jasper, Indiana, in 1934

Black and white photo of a small town street in the early 20th century, with vintage cars parked, American flags hanging, people walking, and a large courthouse building with a clock tower at the end of the street.
Screenshot

35. A dust storm hits Chicago in 1934

Black and white photo of 1930s downtown Chicago, showing tall skyscrapers, busy streets with cars, a raised bridge, and ships docked along the Chicago River under a hazy sky.
anonymous

Explore more vintage content:

The 1930s were a defining decade, and these photos offer just a glimpse into the resilience and spirit of the era. For more visual journeys through the past, check out 40 Vintage Photos from the 1930s and also 20 Colorized Photos from The Great Depression.

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