10 Photos That Show How Different New Jersey Looked 100 Years Ago
By Kristen|Published August 05, 2020
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Kristen
Author
Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
Let’s take a trip back to the Roaring Twenties in the Garden State. New Jersey looked and operated much differently back then. It’s interesting to see what has changed and what remains the same. First, a little background before the photos. The 1920s were a prosperous time and cars were becoming more common. The Benjamin Franklin Bridge and Holland Tunnel were built, making major cities easily accessible to all New Jerseyans. Prior to 1927, ferries were required to cross the Hudson River.
Less accessible was alcohol – New Jersey was the first state to ratify prohibition. Despite the lack of (legal) alcohol, people had much more time to relax. The mass availability of electricity made conveniences like washing machines, refrigerators, electric irons, and sewing machines more common and innovations in food preparation (like Campbell’s Condensed Soup) meant meals could be made quickly and easily. In their spare time, people enjoyed going to the movies or listening to the radio.
Do you have a favorite photo? Would you like to learn more about New Jersey’s history? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check out these 15 classic photos of New Jersey in the 1970s!
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