Antique bust silhouettes: Before photography, artists created portraits like these
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Antique bust silhouettes: Before photography, artists created portraits like these
As an alternative to paintings, drawings and sculptures, antique bust silhouettes like these - hand-cut from paper - were a relatively affordable way to remember loved ones.
Spreckels Mansion - aka The Sugar Palace - was a completely over-the-top late Victorian home, was the luxurious residence of one of San Francisco's wealthiest men at the time. Take a look back at the original version of this house!
See amazing pictures of elegant old Pasadena, California, from the days before cars
When you scroll through these wonderful pictures of old Pasadena from around the turn of the century, you can practically imagine strolling these elegant tree-lined streets, and seeing Victorian mansions, schools and libraries up close.
See how vintage drugstores 100 years ago sold lots of things you can’t (legally) buy anymore
Here are some things you could buy at vintage drugstores - including many dangerous and strange things that you won't find anywhere today, but were popular in markets during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
These idyllic scenes from old Atlantic City show the fancy hotels, beautiful boardwalk, busy beaches, and fashionable crowds - all part of why the city and the Jersey shore used to be one of the east coast's top vacation destinations.
Here’s how to have a festive 4th of July with a vintage vibe!
Here are some fun ideas and recipes to give your July 4th holiday a truly retro vibe, plus a look back at the history of Independence Day!
The fascinating history of the American flag, and its evolution since 1777
There’s so much *story* packed into the history of the American flag & how its design adapted over nearly 200 years -- in step with the evolution of our union.
The insights and inventions of Dr George Washington Carver - which he gave freely to the world - revolutionized the South, and helped millions out of poverty.
What is a Charlotte russe? 8 delicious classic Charlotte dessert recipes
Today, many of the great desserts of old are being rediscovered and enjoyed - luxurious offerings like the Victorian classic Charlotte Russe. Here are some recipes!
John Wilkes Booth was a famous actor before he killed Lincoln – here’s what critics said about him
Below are a few photos of actor/assassin John Wilkes Booth, along with some theater advertisements that appeared in newspapers during the years leading up to President's Lincoln's murder.
A mother’s wisdom: First Lady Abigail Adams’ letter to young John Quincy Adams, age 11
It is said that superior men have superior mothers, and no matter the views of John Quincy Adams as a politician, he was considered a man of high morals. This insightful letter was written by his mother, First Lady Abigail Adams, from a volume published in the mid-1800s.
See 25 amazing antique elevators, many with the elegant cage style
Why take the stairs while you can ride up in comfort inside one of these metalwork 'cage' style antique elevators, made with beautiful ornamental iron? Just tell the bellhop what floor you want.
The dazzling lobbies of these 22 historical hotels will take your breath away with their glamour
We discovered these 22 amazing old pictures of some of the most gorgeous historical hotel lobbies from across the US. Have a scroll and step back in time with us to a more elegant era!
The Christmas decorations in Victorian churches could be extremely lush Victorian Christians were faithful practitioners of their religion, and took special care decorating their churches
Um, our ancestors were weird, y'all. Maybe we're just missing some context that would make these bizarre Victorian Christmas cards make sense?
30+ stunning vintage crystal chandeliers: Sparkle this perfect never goes out of style!
Crystal chandeliers have been a symbol of luxury and opulence since the 18th century. If you’re wondering what crystal chandeliers used to look like, take a peek below at these vintage photos!
Old-fashioned cafe frappe & chocolate frappe recipes
You can think of these Victorian chocolate and coffee frappe recipes as precursors to Starbucks' Frappuccino. You can even combine a couple and make an icy mocha frap of your own, courtesy of these recipes from the 19th century!
Telephone history, plus see 50 old phones, like early rotary-dial models
It was on that memorable day in telephone history - June 2, 1875 - when Bell and Watson were testing a number of transmitters, connected by a single wire to a corresponding set of vibrating reed receivers, that the first sounds were transmitted electrically.
‘Here Come the Brides’ theme song, lyrics & what the actors thought of the show (1968-1970)
Here Come The Brides was an hour-long comedy/Western TV series set in Seattle in the 1870s about a family of loggers who brought in 100 women as potential brides. The show launched Bobby Sherman and David Soul as teen idols.
Cocaine-laced Coca-Cola was really a thing – here’s the story
Did Coca-Cola once have cocaine in it? Amazingly, yes. Originally marketed as a health drink when it debuted in the 1880s, Coca-Cola was said to cure everything from a migraine (aka "sick headache") to physical exhaustion to depression.
32 vintage selfies you probably have never seen
These vintage selfies, several of which date back to the 1800s, prove that the desire to capture our own images has been around for a long time. Here's how people took self-portraits with old cameras long ago!
Vintage Fostoria glass: 100+ old patterns, colors & styles of the classic American glassware
Here's a look back at 100 years of vintage Fostoria glass - from candelabra to stemware, in clear crystal or a rainbow of colorful hues - that people have been using and collecting for generations.
The amazing Annie Oakley: Meet the legendary American sharpshooter from the old West
Annie Oakley wasn't just the best female sharpshooter - she was THE best. She once sent a shot right through the bullseye, then someone bet she couldn't shoot through the hole she had just made. Guess what happened next?
See Samuel Colt’s famously over-the-top Victorian mansion, Armsmear
Samuel Colt's Connecticut mansion also known as Armsmear, was built on a huge plot of land owned by the inventor of the famous gun. See what this grand and spacious Victorian home was like in its heyday!
See 55 of the earliest automobiles ever manufactured
Here, take a look back at some of the earliest automobiles that were on the market at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.
What the old Macy’s department store in New York City looked like 100+ years ago
Take a glimpse into what the famous old Macy's department store looked like just over a hundred years ago - and how it offered its customers a shopping experience like no other.
See vintage mail carriers & post office service carts from 100+ years ago
For generations, mail carriers and other postal workers have worked hard to bring us letters, magazines, packages and more. Here's a look at how they transported the mail long ago!
See how different antique baby carriages & old-fashioned strollers used to be
More than 100 years ago, see how antique baby carriages like these were styled with beautiful designs, made from wicker, metal and wood - sometimes embellished with wooden spindles and woven reeds.
How the Civil War ended, and find out the details of Lee’s surrender to Grant (1865)
The important events described here were the beginning of the end of the Civil War, though the official declaration was signed on May 10, 1865.
Antique toys: See what kids played with a long time ago – and that people collect now
A look back: Some of the best buys in antique toys (from 1974) Article from American Home, December 1974 Antique toys are double-barreled delights. They
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Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety. Material on this site is provided for education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. Now that you know, have fun looking around!
