The 1930s were a time of change. They saw the peak of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the beginning of World War II, but the decade wasn’t all bad. Pluto was discovered, the first analog computer was developed, frozen food and the quick freeze process were patented, the Hoover Dam was built, the Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first class (which included Babe Ruth), William Henry Hastie became the first African American federal judge, and the Golden Gate Bridge opened, among other achievements. But what was life like in New Jersey? Continue on to find out.
Newark looked like this…
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
And Camden looked like this. (Check out the Gulf gas station!)
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
And this! (Buick’s the beauty.)
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
Some houses looked like this. This repurposed fishing boat in Millville was used as temporary housing for mill workers.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
There was a U.S. customs office in Cumberland County. Pictured is the facility in Bivalve.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
Sales were essential. This furniture shop in Bound Brook has deals on living room sets.
Carl Mydans/Photogrammar
Atlantic City’s Steel Pier was quite popular, though this sculpture advertising it could use a little love.
Russell Lee
There was a real estate development in Glassboro, exclusively for African Americans. Called Eighty Acres, the development was home to hundreds of farm workers and their family members.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
Eighty Acres had a church (pictured) and offered primitive heating and cooking facilities.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
While Eighty Acres offered tar paper homes, others slept in tenement housing. The resident of this room seems to have had an interest in cars. (See the cutouts on the wall.)
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
Cranberries were gathered at Burlington bogs. They were a popular crop at the time.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
Ocean County had a Pleasure Club. Though it doesn’t seem to be doing too well in 1938 (note the broken windows), its function was both social and service-oriented.
Russell Lee/Photogrammarl
New Brunswick was bustling, despite the snow seen here.
Carl Mydans/Photogrammar
Take a peek at Jersey City in 1939.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
Here’s a view of Phillipsburg, New Jersey from Easton, Pennsylvania.
Walker Evans/Photogrammar
This billboard in Newton (Sussex County) reads…The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all others, charity.
Russell Lee/Wikipedia
Which photo is your favorite? Do you have vintage photos of New Jersey? Share them with us in the comments. For more photos of the Garden State, check out these 15 from the 1970s.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
Carl Mydans/Photogrammar
Russell Lee
Russell Lee/Photogrammarl
Walker Evans/Photogrammar
Russell Lee/Wikipedia
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