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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