Christmas Shopping, 1937

Ernest A. Kjorlie captured these Christmas shoppers in front of Dayton’s Department Store in 1937. At 1:35 pm, the weather looks gray instead of snowy. Perhaps as a result, the shoppers look determined rather than festive. But it could have been the economic context. Minneapolis was still mired in the Great Depression and few residents would have had the cash to enjoy many discretionary purchases.

Image is from the Hennepin History Museum.