20 Photos Of What Life Looked Like In 1920

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 01/17/2025 in wow

With World War I recently over, the United States was in a perfect position to translate its wartime economy into a booming peacetime one. And boy did it ever.

1920 was the start of a roaring decade, combining a new enthusiasm for life, with crazy old-timey ambition.

Here are 20 photos of what life looked like in the year 1920.

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1. A Young Boy
Playing the banjo with his dog, circa 1920.
2. A Daredevil
Balancing on the back legs of a chair atop other furniture, 20 stories up in New York, circa 1920.
3. Will and Addie Payne
On their Texas property in 1920.
4. “My Great-Grandfather”
On the farm in 1920.
5. A Cool Girl
Posing with her car, around 1920.
6. Samuel Reshevsky, Age Eight
Defeating several Chess Masters at once in France, 1920.
7. American Women
Voting for the first time, 1920.
8. A Speed Limit Sign
In 1920.
9. “My Great-Grandpa”
Wearing his grandfather's armor, circa 1920.
10. Christmas
Two children around a Christmas tree, Washington D.C., 1920.
11. Companionship
A dog and his boy, 1920.
12. World War I Amputee
Fitted with a welding arm, 1920.
13. Woman Changing Tire
Getting your hands dirty in 1920.
14. Boy Smoking a Cigarette
With his chicken, 1920.
15. Three Women in an Office
Colorado, 1920.
16. A Member of the New York Police Force
Hanging from a girder, 1920.
17. “My Grandfather”
In a marijuana field, 1920.
18. Elderly Group
Taking a selfie photo, 1920.
19. Cleaning Day
At a church in Leipzig, Germany, 1920.
20. Gentleman’s Club
Group photo, 1920.

1. A Young Boy
Playing the banjo with his dog, circa 1920.
2. A Daredevil
Balancing on the back legs of a chair atop other furniture, 20 stories up in New York, circa 1920.
3. Will and Addie Payne
On their Texas property in 1920.
4. “My Great-Grandfather”
On the farm in 1920.
5. A Cool Girl
Posing with her car, around 1920.
6. Samuel Reshevsky, Age Eight
Defeating several Chess Masters at once in France, 1920.
7. American Women
Voting for the first time, 1920.
8. A Speed Limit Sign
In 1920.
9. “My Great-Grandpa”
Wearing his grandfather's armor, circa 1920.
10. Christmas
Two children around a Christmas tree, Washington D.C., 1920.
11. Companionship
A dog and his boy, 1920.
12. World War I Amputee
Fitted with a welding arm, 1920.
13. Woman Changing Tire
Getting your hands dirty in 1920.
14. Boy Smoking a Cigarette
With his chicken, 1920.
15. Three Women in an Office
Colorado, 1920.
16. A Member of the New York Police Force
Hanging from a girder, 1920.
17. “My Grandfather”
In a marijuana field, 1920.
18. Elderly Group
Taking a selfie photo, 1920.
19. Cleaning Day
At a church in Leipzig, Germany, 1920.
20. Gentleman’s Club
Group photo, 1920.