These 17 Vintage Photos Perfectly Capture the ’70s in the American Midwest

Written by Rachel Schneider on June 2, 2025

A diverse group of young children and a teacher stand with hands over their hearts, facing an American flag, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in a classroom.

The American Midwest in the 1970s was a patchwork of rusty pickup trucks, front porch hangs, and walking the sidewalks of Chicago and Detroit. It was a decade when factory whistles marked time, grain silos towered over two-lane roads, and neighborhood kids pedaled banana-seat bikes until the streetlights flickered on. These vintage photos capture the unfiltered charm of those fly-over states during the 1970s.

1. Family of 12 in Rural Iowa

A vintage black-and-white photo of eight people—adults and children—posing on the steps of a house. Some adults have curlers in their hair. The group smiles in front of a door and window. — meysharonambabyyyy

2. South Side Chicago in 1973

Two men stand on a littered city sidewalk, smiling at the camera with raised fists. One wears a rust-colored shirt, the other a yellow striped sweater. Tall buildings and parked cars line the street under a blue sky. — UserDeleted

3. Polish Immigrants Living in Chicago

A man and a woman stand close together on a city street, smiling at the camera. Cars and blurred buildings are visible in the background. The photo is in black and white. — krol_artur

4. Hitchhiking from Michigan to California in 1973

A shirtless man with long hair and a beard walks on a sunny day, carrying a bag and some clothes. Behind him is a stationary train and a rocky, desert hillside. — tuckstar

5. Hennepin Ave in Minneapolis, 1972

A busy city street filled with colorful vintage signs for businesses including Moby Dick’s, McDonald’s, Brady’s, and a bowling alley; classic cars are parked along the curb. — UserDeleted

6. Wisconsin Dells in 1974

Two people stand smiling by a lakeshore, both wearing plaid pants and colorful shirts. Behind them are trees with autumn leaves and a rocky shoreline. The photo has a vintage look, dated December 1974 on the border. — helenaoftroyy

7. Indiana in the ’70s

A group of eight people, including children, adults, and an elderly woman, stand close together indoors, smiling for the camera. One person holds a small white dog. Most are wearing patterned shirts. — Krissy_loo

8. Now That’s a Sweater

A school portrait of a smiling child with light brown hair in a bowl cut, wearing a colorful knit sweater with blue, brown, and white patterns, set against a neutral studio background and framed with a wood-patterned border. — TuppenceForDays

9. Strolling Through a Field, As One Does in the Midwest

A person with light hair wearing a light jacket walks through tall grass in front of an open, expansive field under a cloudy sky. — karm1t

10. Yup, This Is Definitely ’70s Prom Attire

A young couple poses together indoors; the boy wears a black tuxedo with a yellow ruffled shirt, and the girl wears a long yellow dress, holding a bouquet. They stand on a patterned carpet with potted plants nearby and a curtain backdrop. — lapersia

11. A Family Get-Together at Christmastime

Three children play with blocks at a small table in front of a decorated Christmas tree, while two older women sit in the background. The room has wood-paneled walls and a cow poster on the wall. — dekehairy

12. Nice Decorations

A group of children and a few adults gather around a table with birthday cakes and snacks. Several rifles are mounted on the wall in the background. Boxes and bags are also visible in the room. — larvlarv1

13. That Detroit Swagger

Three people stand on grass outdoors: two men in patterned shirts, sunglasses, and flared pants stand on either side of a child wearing a red tank top, black shorts, and sneakers. It is a sunny day with trees in the background. — Blazethc

14. Birthday Toy Haul

A young girl wearing glasses and a yellow dress sits on a brown carpet, smiling, surrounded by various books, board games, and toys displayed in front of her in a warmly lit living room. — olivemor

15. Patrolling in Iowa

A vintage black-and-white photo showing a state trooper car parked on the shoulder of a highway, with several cars driving on the road that stretches into the distance over rolling hills. — UserDeleted

16. Flocking to the Local Walmart

A busy 1970s department store with shoppers browsing clothing and home goods. Blue balloons, sale signs, and a large Santa head decoration are visible, with many people waiting in line at checkout counters. — MCofPort

17. The Goodyear Blimp in Missouri

leslieanneperry

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