25 Photos of What Life Looked Like in 1890

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 02/02/2025 in wow

In 1890, the world's second industrial revolution was under way, and society changed from a leisurely horse-drawn affair, to a hectic and machinated rocket ship. People had to figure out what to do for work, what to wear, and how to live, without the strict societal norms of the past.

Check out these 25 photos from the year 1890, and see what life really looked like back then.

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1. Diamond Head, Hawaii
Earliest known photo of a surfer, 1890.
2. Busting Market
Mulberry Street, Little Italy, New York, 1890.
3. Sharpshooter Annie Oakley
Riding sidesaddle on rearing horse in 1890.
4. Ocean Beach
San Diego CA, 1890.
5. Candid Street Photography
Pioneered by Carl Størmer, Oslo, 1890.
6. A Lakota Camp
Midwest, 1890.
7. Ringling Brothers
Circus entrance, 1890.
8. A Peanut Vendor
Wearing a suit made of peanuts circa 1890.
9. The Farmers Home
A bar in Hanover Kansas, 1890.
10. A Police Station
Western Australia, 1890.
11. Pennywise?
A young girl holding a helium balloon, circa 1890.
12. Irish Explorer Tom Crean
And some Saint Bernard puppies, 1890.
13. Hunter on Skis
Rexburg, Idaho, 1890.
14. Fika Time
Sweden, 1890.
15. Halloween Costume
A tried and true classic, circa 1890.
16. A London Alley
Tight corners, 1890.
17. Wisconsin Saloon
Manitowoc, 1890. With a child-sized beer.
18. The Eidsvold Building
Where the Norwegian constitution was written in 1814. Photo from 1890.
19. Boy With Artificial Legs
And a doll, 1890.
20. French Writer Colette
Aged 17 in 1890.
21. Three Sámi Women
Wearing their traditional caps, circa 1890.
22. A Wedding Party
Hardanger, Norway. Photo taken in 1890, colorized.
23. Human Cantilever Bridge
A Demonstration, circa 1890.
24. High Stacking
Logging in Michigan.
25. Family on a Bridge
"25 dollars fine for riding or driving on this bridge faster than a walk."

1. Diamond Head, Hawaii
Earliest known photo of a surfer, 1890.
2. Busting Market
Mulberry Street, Little Italy, New York, 1890.
3. Sharpshooter Annie Oakley
Riding sidesaddle on rearing horse in 1890.
4. Ocean Beach
San Diego CA, 1890.
5. Candid Street Photography
Pioneered by Carl Størmer, Oslo, 1890.
6. A Lakota Camp
Midwest, 1890.
7. Ringling Brothers
Circus entrance, 1890.
8. A Peanut Vendor
Wearing a suit made of peanuts circa 1890.
9. The Farmers Home
A bar in Hanover Kansas, 1890.
10. A Police Station
Western Australia, 1890.
11. Pennywise?
A young girl holding a helium balloon, circa 1890.
12. Irish Explorer Tom Crean
And some Saint Bernard puppies, 1890.
13. Hunter on Skis
Rexburg, Idaho, 1890.
14. Fika Time
Sweden, 1890.
15. Halloween Costume
A tried and true classic, circa 1890.
16. A London Alley
Tight corners, 1890.
17. Wisconsin Saloon
Manitowoc, 1890. With a child-sized beer.
18. The Eidsvold Building
Where the Norwegian constitution was written in 1814. Photo from 1890.
19. Boy With Artificial Legs
And a doll, 1890.
20. French Writer Colette
Aged 17 in 1890.
21. Three Sámi Women
Wearing their traditional caps, circa 1890.
22. A Wedding Party
Hardanger, Norway. Photo taken in 1890, colorized.
23. Human Cantilever Bridge
A Demonstration, circa 1890.
24. High Stacking
Logging in Michigan.
25. Family on a Bridge
"25 dollars fine for riding or driving on this bridge faster than a walk."