Saturday, October 24, 2009

Vintage African American / Black photos from the 1920s-1940s

Don't forget to visit b.vikki vintage on Etsy!

The photos in this post come from SquareAmerica.com . It's a great site and an excellent resource for found, antique photographs.

Although this blog focuses on the 1950s and 1960s, these photographs from the 1920s - 1940s were too amazing to omit.

1947.
Caption reads:
Christmas 1947. L to R: Hortense G. White, Mr. Kenneth Allen, M.D. White’s residence- 1105-18th Ave No. Nashville, TN. Draperies & Decoration by Dr. Kathryn White. 2 cock fight chairs.


1940s mother and child in photo studio.

A couple in the 1940s having their photo taken by the man whose shadow is projected on the stairs below them.

1940s portrait.

Friends chatting in the 1940s.

1940s. A young woman named Elnora Mills.

A couple posing for a portrait in the 1940s.

A group of friends posing for a portrait in the 1940s.

1940s

1940s

1936 in Chicago at 31st street beach.

This set of three is among my favorite sets so far. I'm from the Southside of Chicago (I still reside here) and 31st and 35th street beaches were among my favorites in highschool. And this was in 2001-2005... To think now of the history, of teenagers and young people enjoying the same sands 70 years prior, is a powerful way to put things into perspective.

1936 in Chicago at 31st street beach.


1936 in Chicago at 31st street beach.

1920s


All the pictures from Chicago I found really whet my interest in the black history of my city. I've got 4 library books I'll be posting about in the coming days that illuminate several Chicago neighborhoods and the urban experience in 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s Chicago.

Interspersed between my posts about old Chicago will be pictures from old L.A., and more from SquareAmerica.com - this time from the 50s and 60s.

Don't forget to visit b.vikki vintage on Etsy!

11 comments:

  1. YOU are my FAVORITE BLOG!!!!! I love my heritage and vintage pics of my heritage!! I just died and went to heaven !!!!

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  2. Found your blog because I'm writing a book that takes place in Charlotte, NC in 1950 and I'm looking for clothing pictures. Have any of teenagers? Wondering if they wore shorts, pedal pushers, etc. thanks. Carol Baldwin

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  3. Specifically looking for African american teens- can find pix of Caucasians, but not blacks.

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  4. blackie301@comcast.netAugust 5, 2010 at 5:05 PM

    would any body have any photo's of cabrini green in the 60's in the old town area in the late 60's mid 70's

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  5. I love this site! Way to go!

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  6. of course, can't miss the famous picture of a black marine with her wife, this is almost a traditional photo of those times, thanks for showing a part of our culture in the American history.

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  7. I really enjoy this site. Thank you for having it. Iwas born in 1939. I've always been fascinated by the time before me. I'm so proud of being who I am and more proud of those who came before me. Please keep up your good mission.I'm collecting photo's of African American fashion from 1900's to cover a decade each until the present day.

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  8. I'm a big history fan,I really enjoy your blog. This is a site I will enjoy with my kids.amazing keep doing your thing:).Mrs.Smith

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  9. Oh my goodness! Thank you so much, I love this vintage site for people that look like me. I was doing some research for a part I'm playing in which takes place during the late 40's early 1950's and I didn't know how the ladies wore their hair or dressed during that time but I am glad to see that there was a lot of style going on in that period which in my personal opinion definitely displays class. So again I thank you and I will be visiting this site again and I am going to tell some others as well. Ms. A. D. Gordon

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  10. Love what you are doing here. This is so affirming on so many levels; bravo.

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  11. Beautiful are the eyes of my people

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