25 Rare, Vintage Photos of What Winter Used to Look Like
Frigid temps dragging you down? Let these classic winter weather photos from throughout the 20th century make you feel glad to be living in the 21st.
Winter through the years
Winter is always cold and long, but you have to make the most of the season. Take a look at how people used to celebrate the snow and ice. If you’re not ready to bundle up, read up on these winter survival tips from the coldest parts of the country.
Shoveling inside your car
In 1917, the year that this photo was taken in New York City, automobiles were equipped with windshields, but they did not yet have windows—you know, those pieces of glass above the doors of the car that keep stuff out. So snow removal was a back-breaking exterior and interior job. Find out why car windows have those little black dots—and no, they’re not for decoration.
Layers on layers
“During the winter of 1966 in Stoutsville, Ohio, my three brothers, Jerry, Joe, and Jeff, and I couldn’t wait to get outside to play. Getting dressed was a production. We didn’t have fancy down-filled snowsuits or ski pants. Instead, we started with white flannel long underwear and layered on hand-me-down jeans and shirts. We topped it all off with hooded winter jackets. After hours outside, we were hungry, tired, wet and cold,” says John Scanlan, now of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. These 12 cozy winter quotes will help you embrace the season.
Thanksgiving snowstorm
“A Thanksgiving snowstorm—probably the big one in 1956—left snow piled so high it dwarfed our Chevrolet,” says Louella Kightlinger of Erie, Pennsylvania.
No zamboni!
These boys, in an image snapped between 1909 and 1932, had to shovel the snow off the ice before skating on it, draining their energy and time. To sweep larger expanses, rink owners resorted to tractors dragging a scraper. After testing numerous prototypes, Frank J. Zamboni, a proprietor of Iceland Skating Rink in southern California who dropped out of high school, received a patent for his eponymous ice-cleaning machine in 1953. Check out these gorgeous pictures of natural ice skating rinks around the world.
Style on skates
The chilly weather can’t stop this happy couple from showing off their moves as they glide across the ice on this 1919 winter day in Chicago, Illinois.
Clear the roof
“I was afraid that my roof would collapse in the blizzard of 1979, so I shoveled the garage roof snow to the ground. The snow pile was as high as the gutter, so made a slide that took the kids down and all the way to the back of the lot,” says Greg Lopatka of Downers Grove, Illinois. Test your knowledge with these facts about snow you never knew until now.
The snow will catch you
“This picture is from winter 1975. I thought it would be fun to jump off the roof,” says Craig Stroker, now of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Looking for a winter wonderland? Travel to these destinations that are even better in winter.
Giant snowball
“This is my sister Jill and my not-too-happy cousin Michael sitting on top of a giant snowball,” says Craig Stroker.
No snow days
Two of the most beautiful words in the world: “snow day.” Most school districts in frosty climates have adapted through the years to have a certain number of snow days budgeted into their schedules so that learning stays on track. These Valdez, Alaska, students, shown here in 1910, did not have the luxury of staying home. But they did have the pretty cool perk of being able to stand on their schoolhouse roof. Here are more pictures showing what school was like 100 years ago.