Hobo culture came about after the end of the Civil War in the 1860s. Many men were without work and started hopping trains in order to head west and look for a better life, and the number of hobos increased rapidly in the 1930s during the Great Depression.
Most hobos were just regular people trying to get by during difficult times. In fact, some people may be surprised to learn that there is a distinct difference between hobos, tramps, and bums. Often times we use the names interchangeably, but that would be incorrect! A hobo, after all, is constantly traveling in order to find work. A tramp tends to avoid work, but is usually on the go and constantly traveling. And a bum, well, a bum doesn’t want to either work or travel. Now you know!
So, check out this list of 15 vintage photos that show what hobo life was really like (know that you know what it means) and be sure to share it with a friend!
1. Jack London rides the rods, 1907
Jack London, the well-known author of The Call of the Wild, did more than just write timeless novels. Sometimes, he hopped trains to get around.
As you’ll see in a later photo, some of his rides turned out better than others.
2. A hobo’s helping hand, Bakersfield, 1939
In most cases, it’s best to have a buddy around in order to help. That is certainly the case when hopping trains as a hobo.
I’d be willing to bet that this isn’t their first rodeo.
3. Making turtle soup, Minneapolis, 1939
When you’re a hobo, you don’t always know where your next meal is coming from. So, when the opportunity presents itself, you’ve got to take advantage of it.
This guy caught himself a turtle for dinner.
4. Couple of hobos riding the rods, 1894
Once again we see an example of power in numbers. I’ve never ridden beneath a train, but I imagine that it’s a bit intimidating especially at high speeds.
Again, best to have a buddy with you.
5. Jack London getting the boot (0r the lantern), 1907
Here is one of Jack London’s less enjoyable rides.
If you’re a hobo hopping trains then you’ll have to get used to getting caught every now and again. He’s what happens when you do.
6. Hobo with his bedroll, Depression era
As a hobo, you’re never sure where you’ll sleep each night. So, best to have all you need with you in order to lay down and catch some Z’s wherever you end up.
This guy carries his bedroll around on his back.
7. A Sign to discourage hobo’s, circa 1935
Due to the ramifications of The Great Depression, many men took to the hobo life.
The railroads got so overwhelmed with people hopping trains that they started making signs in order to discourage hobos from hiding out in their trains.
8. A railroad “Bull”
When the signs didn’t work, the railroads took to hiring Bulls, or railroad police. Actually, it was at the instruction of Abraham Lincoln.
A Railroad Bull’s job was to find hobos that had snuck onto the trains and pull them off. Often, the Bulls wouldn’t hesitate to rough the hobos up in an attempt to keep them from doing it again.
9. Hobo Jungle in Chicago, 1929
Hobos weren’t always on trains. When they made it to where they were going, they would set up “Hobo Jungles.”
These communities could number in the thousands.
10. Another hobo jungle, St. Louis, 1929
Here’s another example of a Hobo Jungle. This one is in St. Louis. They found the most untraveled areas in the city to stay at.
11. Hobo on a fence, Napa, 1920
When you don’t have anywhere to live, you find yourself in lots of different places. And oftentimes, you find yourself sitting on a variety of things.
This hobo stopped for a bit to have a sit on a fence in Napa, California.
12. Hobos kicked off the train
If you do happen to get caught by a Railroad Bull, you’re only choice is to walk.
These two decided to start beating their feet and try to still make it to their destination, albeit a bit slower. Hopefully, they can hop a train somewhere down the line.
13. The original hobo, Leatherman, in New England, 1885
It just takes one person to start doing something for others to follow. This guy went by the name “Leatherman,” and he was credited with being the original hobo.
I’m sure he could teach the young bucks a thing or two about hopping trains.
14. Waiting for a train
Sometimes, you’ve got nothing better to do than just sit and wait.
This hobo seems satisfied with sitting here until a train comes by. At that point, the real work begins.
15. Walking the tracks
Not everyone felt like just sitting and waiting. Some chose to walk the tracks and gain some ground before the train arrived.
At least you can’t get lost when you’re following tracks.
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