Here Are The Oldest Photos Ever Taken In Wisconsin And They're Incredible
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Nicole
Author
The Library of Congress is a treasure trove of digital files that preserve the history of our country. I spent most of a day combing their files for the very oldest pictures of Wisconsin still in existence and they’re kind of amazing. Most of the pictures day from 1880-1910 and it’s amazing to see how much some places have changed and how some have stayed remarkably the same.
Here are some of the most amazing photos taken in early Wisconsin:
The oldest photo I could find that wasn't just a sitting portrait.
Wisconsin's first city has changed a bit in the ensuing century.
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With all that's different in the rest of the pictures, that this view is basically unchanged over 100 years is kind of heartening.
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Not quite the same baseball cards you see today.
This could be any town in America at the time and it's a totally unrecognizable view today.
One of Milwaukee's most affluent suburbs, Whitefish Bay is spelled different and definitely doesn't have a pier.
Mills and the paper industry shaped so much of our state.
This makes me want to try to get a "now" picture of the same area. Other than some erosion, I'd assume the view hasn't changed much.
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I can't imagine doing any type of labor in that much clothing.
Hard to believe this is now the Waterpark Capitol of the World.
Most of the buildings around it have changed, and the road is now paved, but you could overlay this with a picture of City Hall today and you wouldn't see too much difference. It's too easy to overlook the awesome history in our everyday lives.
One of the four streets that create Capitol Square in Madison.
It's impossible to imagine a President or any other high ranking official taking on a tour like this one and riding through small towns on a carriage.
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Were it not well labeled, I wouldn't believe it. Is there anything here to recognize today?
The beer that made Milwaukee famous.
Beloit was a much busier and cosmopolitan town 100 years ago.
This building has gone through quite a bit, but renovations turned it into condos and you can still see it near MSOE.
Looking for more Wisconsin history? Check out These 13 Hidden Gems In Wisconsin Hold Historic Keys To The Past.
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