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25 Vintage Photos Of The Mid-1850s

Vintage Photos History Nostalgia June 4, 2025

Last Updated on June 4, 2025 by Matt Staff

This collection of 25 vintage mid-1850s photos captures a nation on the brink of undergoing more change than we could’ve imagined. So, step into a time that seemed to whiz right past everyone. Rediscover those moments from a bygone era that’s passed us by—and so quickly.

1. Clearly, this building’s best days are far behind it, circa mid-1850s

A damaged two-story building with columns stands in the background. In front, several people and a horse are visible, along with scattered shoes, clothing, and debris on the ground.
nickelplatedarmor

2. A truly stunning aesthetic we have here

A sepia-toned portrait of a woman in traditional Indian attire with elaborate jewelry, a nose ring, and a turban, sitting with one arm resting on a decorated armrest, gazing directly at the camera.
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3. Major Dighton Probyn, VC, 1857

A man in 19th-century attire with a turban, dark jacket, and patterned sash poses for a portrait with one hand on his hip and a serious expression. The photo is sepia-toned and vintage.
ryguy

4. Cemetery boys, England, 1857

Three boys in old-fashioned clothes relax in a graveyard; two sit on the grass by a large gravestone, while one sits on top, all looking thoughtful or playful. There is a large tree and path in the background.
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5. A mother with her two daughters and son, circa 1857

A sepia-toned, antique portrait shows a woman seated with three young girls standing beside her, all dressed in 19th-century clothing. The photo is framed in an ornate, oval gold frame.
katyromic00

6. Some lads playing in rural England, circa 1857

A group of boys, some sitting on the ground and others climbing a large, leafless tree, spend time outdoors in a grassy area surrounded by bushes, dressed in old-fashioned clothing.
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7. A Brazilian woman and her baby, circa 1855

A sepia-toned vintage portrait of a woman in 19th-century attire with flowers in her hair, sitting and holding a smiling baby who appears slightly blurred. The image is framed in an oval with an ornate border.
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8. U.S. Capitol Dome under construction, 1855

Black and white photo of the U.S. Capitol building under construction, with scaffolding and a crane visible atop the dome. Trees frame the scene, and a statue stands in front of the steps.
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9. A mother with her daughter looking quite, quite serious, circa 1855

A sepia-toned vintage photograph of a woman in a bonnet and patterned dress sitting beside a young girl in a dress, both facing the camera in an ornate oval frame.
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10. The colors are just stunning in this rearview shot

A scenic view of a European riverside city with colorful buildings, a domed church, a winged statue on a pedestal, and people walking along the cobblestone embankment under a partly cloudy sky.
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11. This captivating photo was taken in Illinois in 1855

A young child wearing traditional clothing, a striped turban, and jewelry holds several arrows and a bow. The image is black and white, with a historical and vintage appearance.
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12. Playing backgammon in a coffeehouse in Istanbul, circa 1857

Black-and-white photo of men wearing traditional hats, sitting around a table playing a board game in a Turkish café, with others talking, drinking, and a man working in the background.
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13. A young lad with two dogs in England, 1857

A young boy in a cap sits on the ground by a wooden door, leaning against it, with two dogs lying beside him. The scene appears old-fashioned, and all three look calm, resting in the sunlight.
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14. Circassian warriors from North Caucasus, 1865

Three men in traditional Caucasian attire, including papakha hats and chokhas with cartridge holders, pose for a vintage photograph. Two are seated, holding sabers, while one stands behind them against a studio backdrop.
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15. Crimean War veteran, Private Michael McNamara, 1856

A stern-faced man in a red military uniform with white straps, a large beard, and a shiny helmet with a black plume, sits for a portrait against a blue background, displaying medals on his chest.
kitchender

16. This street musician is not amused in the slightest, 1856

Sepia-toned portrait of an older man with a long white beard and wavy hair, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and rustic clothing, holding a flask or canteen, and looking intently at the camera.
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17. A young mother with her twin sons in Utah, mid-1850s

A woman with dark hair and a lace collar sits holding two babies in her lap. The babies are dressed in similar light-colored outfits. The image is black and white and appears old-fashioned.
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18. Greenwich Pensioners, 1854

Seven elderly men, dressed in formal uniforms and hats, sit on a bench in front of a large window; another man stands at the far left, wearing a light-colored robe and cap. All are posed for a group portrait.
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19. It seems like something had fouled the day right up for these two

Two elderly women sit side by side, wearing patterned shawls and bonnets. They look slightly off-camera, with neutral expressions. The photo is sepia-toned and appears to be from the 19th century.
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20. A girl in a dark jacket, 1857

A young girl with dark hair parted in the center wears a dark, formal dress and stands beside a small table covered with a patterned cloth. The image is in black and white and has an old-fashioned, vintage appearance.
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21. A portrait of a young woman in the mid-1850s

A young woman with flowers in her hair and freckles on her face looks at the camera, wearing a high-neck dress with a bow and layered necklaces. The image is sepia-toned and vintage in style.
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22. A mother with her baby in the mid-1850s

A vintage photograph of a woman in 19th-century clothing holding a baby in a white dress. The woman looks lovingly at the child. The image is framed in an ornate, gold oval frame.
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23. Those eyes have stories to tell, circa mid-1850s

Black and white vintage portrait of a woman wearing a dark shawl, a cross necklace, and a dress. She is seated, looking directly at the camera, holding an object in her lap, with her hair pulled back.

24. The Taj Mahal as seen from the east, circa mid-1850s

Sepia-toned photograph of the Taj Mahal, with its large central dome, four minarets, and surrounding smaller domes, viewed from an angle showing people sitting along the foreground ledge.
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25. A woman wearing a crinoline being aided with the help of poles back in the mid-1850s

Four women assist another woman in a large hoop skirt with adjusting or arranging fabric overhead, possibly preparing her dress, in a vintage black-and-white setting. Two other women sit in the background, observing.
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Explore more vintage content:

The 1850s laid the tracks—sometimes literally—for the modern age, so keep the momentum rolling with 35 Vintage Photos Of The Mid-1870s. Then, check out 35 Vintage Photos Of The Mid-1880s.









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