Old photographs hold a unique allure, capturing moments from a bygone era. The art of modern photography emerged in 1839, thanks to Louis Daguerre, and a handful of early images have survived in the United States. If you’re curious, you can explore some of the oldest photos taken across the country. In Florida, while there are a few early photographs dating back to the inception of photography, the majority that we encountered were family portraits or cityscapes devoid of people. It wasn’t until the 1860s and 1870s that more insightful images depicting everyday life began to surface, at least according to the resources we’ve accessed from state archives. Here, we present a selection of intriguing photographs from that era in Florida, offering a fascinating window into the past.
Saint Francis Street – Saint Augustine, 1860s
Spring at Green Cove Springs, 1870s
Johnson’s Drugstore: Key West, the 1870s
“Going to the cane grind,” 1872 (Nassau County)
What are your thoughts on these images depicting life in Old Florida? Did any particular photos stand out to you? If you’ve ever wondered what Florida was like a century ago, we trust this article has captured your interest!