The earliest photos from each U.S. state reveal a vivid tapestry of America’s past, from 19th-century industrial growth to cultural shifts. From New York’s lively streets to Alaska’s wild landscapes, these images are timeless windows into each state’s essence. Join us on a visual journey through America’s historic corners.
Alabama
A group portrait of the children of a successful local businessman. (1850)
Alaska
A group of Native Americans at Fort Tongass. C. 1868
Arizona
Much of the country first saw Arizona through Geological expeditions. C. 1871
Arkansas
The Sultana was photographed shortly before it exploded, killing more people than the Titanic. C. 1865
California
A mysterious landscape shot of Los Angeles Plaza. C. 1860s
Colorado
Timothy O’Sullivan again, is responsible for a lot of the old photos we have of the west. C. 1871
Connecticut
The first American summer camp. C. 1861
Delaware
A lot of old pictures are of fancy politicians. Here’s Benjamin Briggs. C. 1860
District of Columbia
The oldest military monument. C. 1850
Florida
The fort in St. Augustine during the Civil War. C. 1862
Georgia
A portrait of the future Secretary of Treasury. C. 1844
Hawaii
The kingdom’s last princess. C. 1893
Idaho
A tributary of one of the country’s mightiest rivers. C. 1860
Illinois
Abraham Lincoln’s political rival. C. 1844
Indiana
A group of confederate prisoners.
Iowa
A senator suspected of having Confederate sympathies. C. 1844
Kansas
A long-service Kansas senator. C. 1860s
Kentucky
A messed up portrait of Henry Clay. C. 1852
Louisiana
The first president of the University of Louisiana. C. 1847
Maine
A bunch of firefighters. C. 1850
Maryland
A monument to a battle from the war of 1812.
Massachusetts
The biggest advocate for public education. C. 1844
Michigan
A forgotten minor politician. C. 1844
Minnesota
A Sioux woman in 1862.
Mississippi
A politician who delayed the Civil War. C. 1844
Missouri
A women’s rights activist.
Montana
The state’s landscape fascinated early photographers. C. 1860
Nebraska
A Union soldier and his family. C. 1861
Nevada
William Morris Stewart was obsessed with silver. C. 1860
New Hampshire
One of the state’s most consequential politicians. C. 1844
New Jersey
A two-term senator. C. 1840s
New Mexico
Fort Marcy was built because of a border dispute with Texas. C. 1868
New York
A peaceful glen on the Hudson river.
North Carolina
A Civil War soldier and his sword. C. 1861
North Dakota
A Native American chieftain. C. 1868
Ohio
The ninth president of the United States. C. 1840
Oklahoma
An important Cherokee chief. C. 1850
Oregon
Benjamin Harding was a politician in Oregon before it was a state. C. 1855
Pennsylvania
The corner of 2nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia. C. 1850
Rhode Island
A reality corrupt senator. C. 1859
South Carolina
Some guy holding a newspaper. C. 1853
South Dakota
The Chapel of the Merciful Saviour, destroyed in a fire 14 years later. C. 1870
Tennessee
Children at Point Lookout. C. 1860s
Texas
A Texas Ranger, of course. C. 1846
Utah
None other than Salt Lake. C. 1865
Vermont
A photo of the Arms of the State of Vermont. C. 1852
Virginia
A group of college students with silly hats. C. 1850-1851
Washington
A bird’s-eye view of a fort. C. 1858
West Virginia
The site of a major armed slave revolt. C. 1859
Wisconsin
A Methodist missionary to Liberia. C. 1840
Wyoming
A trench carved into Bitter Creek. C. 1870
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