50 Photos That Bring the 1850s to Life

All Lifestyle Nostalgia 3 days ago

The 1850s were a time of dramatic change, innovation, and expansion. From the early days of photography to the height of the Industrial Revolution, this decade saw the world transform in ways that would shape the future. These 50 remarkable photos offer a glimpse into life as it was. Capturing everything from growing cities and frontier settlements to the faces of the people who lived through this pivotal era.

Step back in time and see the 1850s as they were, preserved through the lens of history.

1. Daguerrotype of a bride wearing a wedding dress in the mid-1850s

A vintage photograph of a woman in an ornate dress with floral embellishments. She wears a veil and floral headpiece, sitting posed with hands resting on her lap. The image has a decorative gold frame typical of daguerreotypes.
KatyaRomici00

2. At a rural well in the 1850s

A vintage photo shows a man and woman in old-fashioned clothing gathering water from a stone fountain in a cobblestone courtyard. A bucket sits on the ground nearby, and stone buildings surround the scene.
froggysaysno

3. Daguerreotype of a woman holding a cat in the early 1850s

A woman in 19th-century attire sits in an ornate chair, holding a tabby cat. The image has a vintage, sepia tone with an oval frame, suggesting an old photograph or daguerreotype. The background features a patterned fabric.
KatyaRominici00

4. Photograph taken by Thomas Martin Easterly of a young woman in the early 1850s

A woman in a black Victorian-era dress and intricate jewelry poses for a portrait. She has long, dark, braided hair and holds a small book in her left hand. The photo is framed in an ornate, gold-colored border with floral patterns.

5. A man and child play chess in the 1850s

A young boy and an adult male are playing chess at a small round table. The boy appears to be making a move, while the man is observing intently, resting his chin on his hand. Both are dressed in formal attire. The image is in sepia tones.
userdeleted

6. “This is a photo of my great great great grandmother taken sometime after she came here from Ireland in 1850.”

A vintage, sepia-toned photograph of a woman in an ornate, oval gold frame with intricate detailing. The frame is set in a velvet-lined, open case, with a deep red color on the right side. The woman is wearing a dark dress and a necklace.
dmccrostie

7. Daguerreotype of a young man circa 1850s

A sepia-toned portrait of a man in 19th-century attire. He has dark hair, a bow tie, and a formal jacket. His right hand is partially tucked into his waistcoat. The image is framed in an ornate, gold-edged border.
smyf91

8. Hermann Krone, a photographer from Sanoxy, Germany. This is a self-portrait with camera equipment circa 1858.

A man from the 19th century sits beside an early large-format camera with a tripod. He is surrounded by various camera lenses on a table and the floor. The setting has ornate curtains and a patterned rug.
SmokeTheFire

9. Earliest known photo of a dog: a daguerreotype of a white poodle taken in the 1850s. It’s titled “Poodle with Bow, on Table.”

A vintage photograph of a small, fluffy white dog with a ribbon on its head, lying on a cushion. The image is set within an ornate oval frame with a golden border.
Louise_canine

10. Gentleman using XIX century sunglasses

A vintage photograph of a man with sunglasses, wearing a formal suit and bow tie. The image is framed in an ornate gold border, typical of 19th-century portrait styles.
Electrical-aspect-13

11. Laura Bridgman, a student at the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Watertown, MA.

A vintage daguerreotype photograph of a woman in 19th-century attire is displayed on the right side of an open, ornately decorated case. The left side features an embossed, reddish-brown velvet fabric.
Electrical-Aspect-13

12. “My 5th great grandma in the 1850s”

An elderly woman wearing glasses and a bonnet sits in a chair. She is draped in a dark shawl and holds needlework in her hands. A partially visible curtain is behind her. The photo is sepia-toned.
Ok-Author-1366

13. Ambrotype of a young woman with a slight smile, wearing a fur hat and leather gloves, holding a riding crop.

A vintage photograph of a woman in a dark dress and a large feathered hat, sitting with one arm on a surface. The image is enclosed in an ornate, gold frame. The woman gazes directly at the camera with a composed expression.
KatyaRomici00

14. Isambard Kingdom Brunel in front of the launching chains of his steamship SS Great Eastern, the biggest ship ever built at its launch in 1858.

A bearded man in a top hat and suit stands confidently with hands in pockets in front of large, heavy chains. The background features a close-up view of interlocking chain links. The sepia tone gives the image a vintage appearance.
userdeleted

If they ever made a biopic for him, they must cast Alec Baldwin to play him.

15. 48-year-old Abraham Lincoln with messy hair in 1857

Black and white portrait of a man in profile, with unruly hair and wearing a suit with a bow tie. The image has an oval frame, giving it a classic, vintage appearance.
No-one-o1

16. An ambrotype of a young woman holding a parrot

A young woman in a dark, off-the-shoulder dress holds a blurry spinning object in her right hand. She sits against a plain backdrop, gazing toward the camera. The image has an ornate gold frame around it.

17. A highland solider during the Crimean War in the 1850s

A historical image of a soldier in 19th-century British military attire. He wears a red coat with gold buttons, a black fur hat, and a kilt. The soldier holds a rifle and has a long beard, set against a plain background.
froggysaysno

18. A little boy poses for his photo and looks a little terrified doing it.

A sepia-toned vintage photograph of a child sitting on a chair. The child is wearing a dark, long-sleeved outfit with buttons and high-top boots. The setting includes a patterned rug and a plain backdrop.
Electrical-Aspect-13

19. Going fishing in rural England circa 1850s

Two men wearing hats are in a small rowboat on a narrow, tree-lined waterway. A third man stands on the grassy bank nearby, observing. The scene is set in a rustic, serene outdoor environment.
froggysaysno

20. Two girls play with a dollhouse in the 1850s

Two young girls in Victorian-era dresses sit on chairs, playing with a dollhouse on a table. Each holds a doll. The room features ornate decor and a patterned carpet.
froggysaysno

21. Women gather around a street vendor selling crinolines for hoop skirts circa 1850s

Victorian-era street scene with people in formal attire boarding a horse-drawn carriage. Women in large dresses and men in top hats interact, with a backdrop of brick buildings. Passersby observe the scene.
froggysaysno

22. A couple in the 1850s stand in front of an exotic painted backdrop

A vintage photograph of a man and woman in formal 19th-century attire. The woman wears a long dress and holds a small hat. The man is dressed in a dark suit. They stand against a painted backdrop depicting a landscape with palm trees.
userdeleted

23. Kids watching their cat eat in the 1850s

Two girls in vintage dresses, one standing with a hand on a chair and the other kneeling, are feeding a fluffy cat from a bowl on the grass. The scene is outdoors, in front of a building with a window.
nice_mushroom1

24. Group photo of some California gold miners in the 1980s

A vintage black and white photo of nine men in 19th-century attire, with diverse hats and clothing. Some sit holding rifles, while others stand behind them. The background is plain, with scratches and marks on the image, typical of old photographs.

If you’re interested in more photos of gold miners, be sure to check out our collection of striking photos from the American Gold Rush (1850s-1890s).

25. Reverend Heber Neale, First Baptist Church, Boston, MA

A sepia-toned daguerreotype of a man with curly hair, wearing a dark coat and waistcoat over a white shirt. He has a serious expression and is posed against a plain background, typical of 19th-century portraits.
InfamousLeopard383

26. Daguerreotype of a man wearing tinted glasses and holding a cat

A vintage photograph features a person wearing dark sunglasses and a patterned vest over a shirt, holding a cat in their arms. The image has an old, sepia-toned appearance with a decorative frame around it.
BufordTeeJustice

27. A veteran of Waterloo and his wife in the 1850s

Vintage sepia-toned photograph of an elderly couple. The man wears a tall hat and coat, looking serious, with a medal around his neck. The woman is draped in a patterned shawl and bonnet, sitting beside him, appearing calm.
userdeleted

28. Woman in a black taffeta gown and lace shawl in 1850

Black and white portrait of a woman in a Victorian-era gown, standing with one arm resting on a pedestal. She wears a long, dark, layered dress with lace details and a high collar, her hair styled in curls.
eaglemaxie

29. Native American cowboy in 1850

Black and white photo of a cowboy wearing a hat and fringed jacket, holding a lasso. A pistol is visible at his waist. The background is a vintage-style painted backdrop. The text at the bottom reads "Indian Cowboy - Moet.
eaglemaxie

30. Photo of Mark Twain at 15 years old in 1850

Vintage portrait of a young person in a light shirt with a dark cravat and cap, sitting on a chair. The person has a neutral expression and is wearing a belt with the name "Sam" on the buckle. The image is sepia-toned.

Samuel even had his name on his belt buckle.

31. A wealthy Michigander

Two black and white photos of a man in a dark suit, overcoat, and wide-brimmed hat standing on a porch. He has a mustache and holds a cane. The porch has decorative cut-out patterns in the railing.
unturnedtrumpet

32. Rangers serving under Rip Ford. Rio Grande-Nueces River, 1850-1851

Five men in 19th-century attire stand with rifles, wearing hats and boots. They have stern expressions, and one man holds a pistol. A dog lies on the ground in front of them. The photo has a vintage, sepia-toned appearance.
BattleBrother1

33. San Francisco in 1851

A sepia-toned photograph shows a 19th-century street with a row of wooden storefronts and buildings. In the background, a hill dotted with houses rises, creating a rustic, historical town atmosphere.
GrzegorzRead

34. Nathaniel P. Banks at 36 years old in 1852. He went on to be a congressman, governor of Massachusetts, and a Union Army General.

A vintage daguerreotype portrait of a young man with short hair, posing with one hand on his hip. He's wearing a double-breasted suit and a large bow tie. The image has a vertical crease down the center and exhibits signs of age.
Scaulbylausis

35. Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th US President, in 1852

A vintage black and white photograph of a man in 19th-century attire. He wears a dark coat, white shirt, and a bow tie, with neatly combed hair. The image has a slightly faded and scratched appearance, typical of older photographs.
userdeleted

36. The Vampie, a salt print of a man with a gargoyle on Notre Dame cathedral in 1853

A man in a top hat stands on a balcony next to stone gargoyles overlooking a cityscape with historic buildings. The image is sepia-toned, giving it a vintage feel, and the scene suggests a high vantage point.
mahoganyjones

37. Biologist Charles Darwin in 1854

Black and white photo of a seated man with sideburns, wearing 19th-century clothing. He is looking to the right with a serious expression, dressed in a patterned waistcoat, bow tie, and dark jacket.
amorfati21

38. Alexandre Dumas, the author of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, in 1855

A sepia-toned portrait of a man with curly hair, dressed in a dark suit with a high-collared shirt. He is seated, hands resting on a cane. His expression is neutral, and the background is a plain, blurred shade. A signature is visible in the lower right corner.
blue_strat

39. Pifferaro, an Italian Street Musician, 1855

A sepia-toned vintage photograph of an older man with a long, bushy white beard and hair. He wears a tattered wide-brimmed hat adorned with feathers and holds a long stick, dressed in layered, rough garments. The photo has an oval border.
twixonurface

40. Rural life in England, photographed by William Morris Grundy in 1855.

Two individuals in rustic attire converse outside a window. One leans against the windowsill, while the other stands with a hand on their face, both wearing hats and old-fashioned clothing. The window is partially open, revealing a simple interior.
dannydutch1

41. The earliest known photo of doner, taken in the Ottoman Empire in 1855

A vintage photo shows two men and a child at an outdoor food stand. Meat hangs on one side, and a vertical rotisserie is at the center. The background features a rural setting with hills and a small tent.
forsbergisgd

42. Man standing on the lap of a colossal figure of Ramses, 1856

A person stands on the colossal stone foot of the Great Temple at Abu Simbel, Egypt. The massive seated statue of Pharaoh Ramses II dominates the scene, with intricate carvings and hieroglyphics visible in the background.
eaglemaxie

43. A young, joyful couple in the 1850s

A vintage portrait of a man and woman seated side by side, dressed in 19th-century formal attire. The man wears a dark suit with a bow tie, and the woman wears a long dress with a lace collar. The image is set in an ornate oval frame.

44. An American frontier woman who was captured by Apache Indians at 14 and returned at age 21, in 1857.

A vintage photograph of a woman with dark hair, center-parted and tied back, wearing a dark dress with white patterns. She has distinct chin tattoos and is seated with her hands crossed. The photo is in an ornate gold frame.
Miskatonica

45. Alexander Jacques, a volunteer firegither in Toronto, 1858

A vintage photograph of a man sitting on a chair wearing a large hat decorated with an emblem. He has a beard and is dressed in a long-sleeved shirt with "Foreman" written on it. A rolled banner with "Relief" is on his left arm.
dashcam_drivein

46. James Butler Hickok, who had not yet earned the nickname “Wild Bill” when this was taken in 1858. He was just 21 years old.

Sepia-toned vintage portrait of a man with long hair wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a patterned vest, and a collared shirt. He has a mustache and goatee, gazing directly at the camera.
userdeleted

If you’re interested in seeing more photos like this, check out our list, 25 Real Photos of Wild West Icons from 1860-1910.

47. A dentist getting photographed pretending to yank out a tooth

A historical photograph shows a man with a beard and curly hair standing, dressed in a suit. He holds a dental tool to a seated woman's open mouth. She wears a Victorian dress, appearing distressed. The image is framed with an ornate, gilded border.
niplqfs

48. Alice Lidell, the girl who inspired Alice in Wonderland, posing for Lewis Carrol as the ‘Beggar-Maid.’

Black and white photo of a young girl standing barefoot against a rough stone wall. She is wearing a tattered, loose-fitting dress and has a thoughtful expression, with one foot crossed over the other amidst scattered foliage.
Userdeleted/Lewis Carrol

49. Portrait of a couple in the 1850s

A vintage black-and-white portrait of a young couple dressed in 19th-century clothing. The man wears a suit with a patterned cravat, and the woman wears a dress with a large bow. They are seated close together, looking directly at the camera.

50. The only known photographs of iconic poet, Emily Dickinson. Taken in Massachusetts, 1847 (left) and 1859 (right).

Two vintage portraits of a woman with dark hair in a center part, wearing a 19th-century dress. She is seated in both images, holding flowers in one hand in the left image and looking directly at the camera in both.
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