Eerie Photos Still Discussed Decades Later
By Jack Ripley | June 1, 2023
A rare photo of Marilyn Monroe talking to a young girl on the set of the film "The Misfits".
Some historical photos can't be explained. The more we look at them, the more disturbing and unexplainable they become. There's something so eerie about these beautiful photos, and it only takes a closer look to unveil the truth.
You won't find these rare historical photos in books or museums. Our ancestors had done an excellent job at hiding the hard-to-swallow past from us.
We've collected a rare collection of the most chilling historical photos ever that will send shivers down your spine. Please beware that some of the images in this gallery are for mature audiences only.
Are you ready to take a deep dive into these bone-chilling photos from the past?
Norma Jean Baker had a difficult childhood. She lived in several foster homes and never knew who her father was. Living with her mother, Gladys Baker, wasn't an option, as she had schizophrenia. When she was 15 years old, Baker moved in with a family friend Grace Goddard, but she didn't stay there for long as the family had to move to West Virginia, and Baker couldn't come with them.
Baker knew she would have to return to an orphanage unless she got married to someone. So she married James Dougherty, who lived next door shortly after she turned 16. "I thought she was awfully young," Dougherty later said, but "we talked, and we got on pretty good."
Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve on the set of the romantic film "Somewhere in Time". (1980)
Some historical photos can't be explained. The more we look at them, the more disturbing and unexplainable they become. There's something so eerie about these beautiful photos, and it only takes a closer look to unveil the truth.
You won't find these rare historical photos in books or museums. Our ancestors had done an excellent job at hiding the hard-to-swallow past from us.
We've collected a rare collection of the most chilling historical photos ever that will send shivers down your spine. Please beware that some of the images in this gallery are for mature audiences only.
Are you ready to take a deep dive into these bone-chilling photos from the past?
While Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve were filming for Somewhere in Time, a local theater played Superman, and many cast members, including Reeve, went to see it. When the sound suddenly went out, Reeve stood up and said all the lines to the audience. While Somewhere in Time didn't meet the expectations in the United States, it was an instant success in Asia.
The film played in Hong Kong for one and a half years and is considered one of the highest-grossing films in China. Interestingly enough, when Reeve's agent saw the salary he would make for the role in Somewhere in Time, he laughed in the producer's face and refused Reeve to see it. However, the producer didn't give up and slipped the script into Reeve's hotel room.
Kathrine Switzer competing in the 1967 Boston Marathon even though she wasn’t allowed to
Kathrine Switzer's incredible story of determination and defiance has become legendary in the annals of sports history. In 1967, she made history by becoming the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as an official entrant, despite being told that women were not allowed to compete. With a steely resolve, Switzer refused to be dissuaded by the sexist attitudes of the time, and instead chose to take on the challenge of the 26.2-mile race. When her hooded sweatshirt slipped off, revealing her gender to the world, Switzer was met with hostility and aggression from one of the event's organizers, John "Jock" Semple. But Switzer was not deterred. With her boyfriend, Tom Miller, by her side, she persevered and completed the grueling race in just over four hours. Switzer's remarkable achievement sent shockwaves through the world of sports, inspiring generations of women to challenge the status quo and fight for their right to compete on equal terms with men.
A rare photo of Gladys and Elvis Presley in a portrait from the 1940s.
Let's take a closer look at this stunning photo of Elvis and his mother. Those who knew Gladys and Elvis all agreed the two were more intimate than your average mother and son. In his book, From Elvis In Memphis, Wolfson claimed their relationship was "sweet to the point of sickly.”
Elvis and his mother had a very tight bond and even had their own secret language with many pet names for each other and the things they both loved. It was challenging for anyone else to understand them, even Elvis's father often felt left out of their unbreakable bond. According to one of Elvis's love interests, he talked to Gladys in baby talk, even as an adult.
Elvis Presley and Mary Selph riding on his 1971 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra-Glide motorcycle in Memphis, 1972.
Trigger warning: a car accident. This stunning photo of Elvis Presley and his love interest Mary Selph riding his motorcycle was taken in the early summer of 1972. Mary Selph worked as a singer and dancer at the Whirlaway Club at the time.
She was only twenty years old when she was killed in a car accident on July 18, 1972, less than a month after this photo was taken. No one knew who the mystery girl in this photo was until Mary's mother, Peggy Selph Cannon, revealed her identity in January 2000.
"There was a real nice spray of flowers at her funeral from the Presley family. And there was a huge orchid at the funeral. I always felt it came from Elvis," Peggy Selph Cannon said.
A rare photo of Helen Mirren, 1967.
Helen Mirren was born to a former Russian aristocrat Vasily Petrovich Mironov and a Scottish mother, Kathleen Rogers. Mirren started her film career in the early twenties when she appeared in the late '60s film A Midsummer Night's Dream. Her performance in the Irish drama Cal earned her The Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
One of her most famous sayings is: “I don't believe that if you do good, good things will happen. Everything is completely accidental and random. Sometimes bad things happen to very good people and sometimes good things happen to bad people. But at least if you try to do good things, then you're spending your time doing something worthwhile.”
A couple finds a private spot at the beach in Santa Monica, 1940. (Photograph by Ralph Crane)
The history of Santa Monica goes back to 1875 when U.S. Senator from Nevada, John P. Jones, began its development. He also built the Los Angeles and Independence Railroad, which connected the town to Los Angeles. In 1885, the first hotel was constructed on Ocean Ave, but it was burned down just two years later.
On January 25, 1887, the town welcomed the 125-room "Arcada Hotel," which soon became one of the best hotels on the Pacific Coast. During the '70s, many health-related businesses and city centers opened their doors in Santa Monica. One of these shops was the famous Supergo bicycle shop founded by Susan and Alan Goldsmith.
A B-25 bomber plane, flown by a World War II pilot, got lost in the fog and crashed into the Empire State Building. 14 people died during the accident. (1945)
Warning: viewer discretion is advised. On July 28, 1945, the B-25 bomber plane crashed into the Empire State Building in New York due to dense fog and low visibility. Approximately 60 people were located on the 86th-floor observation deck when the aircraft crashed into the north side of the building. Fourteen people were killed in the accident, eleven of whom were in the building. The damage costs from the accident had been estimated to be 1 million dollars. However, despite the deaths and significant damage to the building, many floors were open for business less than two days later.
A stunning photo of TV personality/actress/model Jayne Kennedy, 1976.
Jayne Kennedy was the first African American woman to win Miss Ohio USA in 1970. She was born on October 27, 1951, in Washington, D.C, and was one of the six children in her family. In 1970, she got married to Leon Isaac Kennedy, a struggling actor, and writer at the time.
After the wedding, the couple moved to California to pursue their acting careers, and in the next few years, Kennedy made an appearance in seven movies. Before she learned about her Endometriosis diagnosis, Kennedy used to make exercise videos. Despite the health problem, Kennedy had three children with her second husband, Bill Overton.
Stunning Pacific Southwest Airline flight attendants in the early 1970s.
In the '70s, Pacific Southwest Airlines took the cake with its flight attendant uniform. The airline was known for its dazzling flight attendant attire, consisting of red and pink dresses and miniskirts. These jaw-dropping costumes were exploited by the airline to sell more tickets and keep customers coming back.
The flight attendants used their humor and beauty to create an exceptional experience for the Pacific Southwest Airline customers, and it had worked out well. Recurring customers would offer delicious treats to the crew, and in return, they would get free drinks from the flight attendants through the "Precious Stewardess Association" and "Precious Passenger Association." The PSA operated from 1949 to 1988.
Cliff House in San Francisco, 1907.
Let's take a closer look at this beautiful photograph of Cliff House in San Francisco. Built by C. C. Butler and Senator John Buckley, this gracious building was visited by five former U.S. presidents William Howard Taft, Rutherford B. Hayes, William McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt, and Benjamin Harrison. The local population loved the Cliff House for its breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
On January 13, 1887, the schooner Parallel crashed right below the Cliff House and caused severe damage to the structure of the building. The Cliff House was restored and continued to operate for two more years before a chimney fire destroyed it. It was a dark and confusing time for the locals.
A rare photograph of Marlene Dietrich being detained at a train station in Paris for violating the ban on women wearing trousers. (1933)
One of the world's most famous film stars, Marlene Dietrich, was born to Royal Prussian police officer Ludwig Dietrich and Wilhelmina Elisabeth Josefine. As a teen, Marlene found the life of a musician unappealing and pursued acting instead. In 1923, she made an appearance in her first film, Tragedy of Love.
She married a film professional Rudolf Sieber who helped her land a role in Tragedy of Love, and one year after the wedding, Marlene gave birth to their daughter, Maria. In the late 1920s, she rapidly advanced in her career after scoring a lead role in the German musical comedy-drama film Der Blaue Engel. She starred in many Hollywood films such as Morocco, Dishonored, Shanghai Express, Blonde Venus, The Scarlet Empress, and others.
Knife grinders laying face down at work to save their backs from being hunched over all day. They were encouraged to bring their dogs to keep them company and also to act as heaters to keep them warm. (France, 1900s)
The photographer who took this dazzling photo of men laying on their stomachs had captured more than expected. The four men in this raw photograph are occupied with sharpening the cutting materials while saving their backs from slouching by laying face down. Also known as knife grinders, these craftsmen moved from one town to another with their tools in their pockets.
A knifegrinder's uniform consisted of a leather apron made of durable material to protect his clothing from getting damaged. Knife grinders were known as storytellers, entertainers, and some of them were even quasi-magicians. They used their skills to attract new clients and get the people in the village to talk about them.
Olympian legend Jim Thorpe had his running shoes stolen the morning of the 1912 Olympics. He found two mismatched shoes in a garbage bin and wore them, winning one silver and two gold medals.
In this rare photograph, medalist Jim Thrope is wearing two mismatching shoes he found in a garbage bin. Thrope had a difficult childhood and became an orphan as a teen after losing both of his parents. If you take a closer look at the right photo, you will notice the shoes and the socks are entirely different.
That day, when Thrope realized someone had taken his shoes right before the Olympics competition, he searched the bin and found two other shoes. Since they were too big for him, he had to wear extra socks. Despite everything that happened, he won two gold medals and one silver that day.
A lineman working on telephone lines at an intersection in Pratt, Kansas in 1911.
Let's take a closer look at this jarring shot of a lineman working on telephone lines in 1911. A lineman was responsible for constructing and maintaining electric power transmission, distribution lines, and telecommunications lines. The occupation began in the 1840s when people started using the telegraph to transmit information.
Linework was considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the 1890s and 1930s, which led to the formation of labor organizations. The members of these organizations represented the workers and advocated for their safety in the workplace. In the 1930s, several apprenticeship programs for lineworkers were established.
Christian Slater, Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst, Antonio Banderas and Brad Pitt at the premiere of the film "Interview with the Vampire" in 1994.
Directed by Neil Jordan, the drama-horror film Interview with the Vampire shocked the fans with an insane all-star cast that included Brad Pitt, Christian Slater, Kirsten Dunst, Antonio Banderas, and Tom Cruise. The film proved to be a success. With a budget of $60 million, it topped the box office with a robust $223 million worldwide.
Tom Cruise and his co-star Brad Pitt had to hang upside down for half an hour without a break to achieve a pale vampire look during the filming. Since vampires can't handle the sunlight, Interview with the Vampire was filmed at night, which took a toll on some cast members. Brad Pitt shared with Entertainment Weekly,
"There are no windows in there. It hasn't been refabbed in decades. You leave for work in the dark – you go into this cauldron, this mausoleum – and then you come out, and it's dark. I'm telling you, one day, it broke me. It was like, 'Life's too short for this quality of life."
People walk across rows of chairs during the 1910 Great Flood of Paris.
This bone-chilling photo of people using chairs to migrate was captured during the 1910 Great Flood of Paris when the Seine River's water level rose to eight meters. To prevent their feet from getting wet, the Parisians created walkways built of chairs. The Great Flood lasted for two months and killed five residents.
During this catastrophe, the French city resembled Venice. Thousands of people were forced to depart from Paris in a matter of a week, leaving everything they worked so hard for behind. In March that same year, the river finally returned to its usual levels, and life slowly returned to normal.
Pro wrestler Ric Flair with a young Dwayne Johnson, 1985.
Ric Flair has maintained his presence in the pop culture and pro wrestling world for over 40 years. After his biological parents abandoned him, Flair was transferred to the Tennessee Children's Home Society, which was known for kidnapping kids for adoption. Fortunately, Dr. Richard Reid Fleihr and his wife adopted him shortly after and they moved to Minnesota.
In October 1975, Flair suffered a horrible accident after meeting an amateur pilot Mike Farkas in a bar. Farkas offered to fly him and five other people to North Carolina for $100 each, and he agreed. The plane crashed after running out of fuel, and Flair suffered a fractured spine.
The world's last commercial ocean-going sailing ship, the Pamir, sailing around Cape Horn, 1949.
We can't take our eyes off this beautiful photograph of Pamir taken in 1949. Built for the German shipping company F. Laeisz, the Pamir could reach a speed of 30 kilometers per hour. On the 3rd of August, 1941, During World War II, the New Zealand government seized it as a prize of war.
Unfortunately, one day, the storm struck the ship and ripped its sails to pieces. The Pamir fell into its side, and despite several attempts to get the situation under control, people began to die while trying to escape. Many who jumped into the water wearing life jackets were attacked by sharks.
Mick Jagger at the original Playboy Mansion in Chicago, 1972.
The Rolling Stones' frontman started his career in music after forming a band with Keith Richards called Little Boy Blue and The Blues Boys. Later, the band welcomed three new members: keyboardist Ian Stewart, guitarist Brian Jones, and drummer Charlie Watts. Jones was the leader and the manager of the band, which eventually evolved into The Rolling Stones.
You can thank the legendary rock band for sipping on a Tequila Sunrise. Jagger first tried the cocktail at a party before the tour and instantly loved it. "Mick came up to the bar and asked for a margarita," said Bobby Lozoff, the creator of Tequila Sunrise. "I asked him if he had ever tried a Tequila Sunrise, he said no, I built him one, and they started sucking them up. After that, they took them all across the country."
A rare photo of ladies riding the ski lift at Snow King in Jackson, Wyoming. (1960s)
This photo of two women riding a ski lift in Jackson, Wyoming, was taken in the '60s. We can't help but notice there are no safety features or even a belt that would secure them in their seats. This shocking photo raises so many questions. How can they ride the lift so calmly, knowing that if something went wrong, they wouldn't make it out alive? Brace yourself for the next photo on our list...
An eerie photo of the construction of the statue of liberty in France, 1884.
This rare photo of artisans standing next to the statue's arm shows a different side to history than you already know. Notice how tiny the workers are in comparison to the figure. In 1876, under Bartholdi's supervision, the French craftsmen and artisans began the construction of the Statue of Liberty in France.
In 1884, the statue was completed and shipped to the United States by the French Navy ship. It was then swiftly reassembled by a construction crew - the majority of whom were new immigrants. Finally, in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was officially displayed to one million residents of New York who all gathered together to celebrate this beautiful moment.
A stunning photo Cesar Romero doing his makeup as 'The Joker' on the set of the TV series "Batman." (1967)
Cesar Romero appeared in many movies and television shows, but it was the TV series Batman that made him unforgettable. Playing Joker changed Romero's life once and for all and kept him around for years. He refused to shave his mustache during the filming of the series and applied white face paint over it instead.
In one of his interviews, Romero explained why his character has green hair. "Oh well, that's part of the Joker's makeup, you know," he said. "I'm not a great student of the Batman comic strip, but I understand that the Joker got the green hair because, in one of the first strips that he appeared in, in making his escape from Batman, he dove into a river that was full of a certain chemical that turned his hair green. So from then on, he's had green hair."
Titanic in dry dock in 1912 and the same dock in 2015.
This eerie photo of the Titanic from 1912 evokes strong emotions. On April 15, 1912, the British steamship tragically struck an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean and sank, killing more than 1,500 people. This shocking event inspired many films, books, and articles, including the famous movie Titanic featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in lead roles.
One research claims the first-class passengers of Titanic were 44 percent more likely to make it out alive. According to a hypothesis, the ship was flawed due to an insufficient number of lifeboats that could only accommodate 1,178 passengers out of the total 2,240 that were on board. In addition, the walls in Titanic that separated the bulkheads extended only a few meters above the sea line so the water could flow easily from one section to another.
A withheld photograph of New York Tunnel Police, 1950s.
The electric catwalk car was launched in 1955 and came with a swivel seat, which allowed the driver to move in both directions. It was first tested in the Holland Tunnel and proved to be an instant success. The speed of the car was controlled by the pushbuttons, and the driver could choose between two options: 6 miles per hour and 12 miles per hour.
According to The New York Times, “the catwalk car was the fastest, surest way through the tunnel, gliding blithely past the most epic traffic jams — equipped with no horn because none was needed.” Prior to the invention of the catwalk cars, the authority police officers were dealing with traffic problems by strolling along a 2.5-foot wide catwalk. These cars remained in operation until 2011 and made the lives of hundreds of police officers easier.
Eight-year-old Róża Maria Goździewska, a.k.a. "The Little Nurse" was the youngest nurse to serve in the field hospital of the Koszta Company during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944.
Try not to gasp while looking at this stunning photo of the youngest nurse to ever work during the Warsaw Uprising. Also known as "The Little Nurse," Róża Maria Goździewska was only three years old when the war broke out. Her sincere smile that hides pain and grief so effortlessly made this photo one of the most famous photos of the Warsaw Uprising.
"Róża witnessed the death of her father, who was murdered by the Gestapo in 1943. She was eight years old when we left the burning house at 16 Kredytowa Street during the uprising. We reached 9/11 Moniuszki Stree, an insurgent hospital." Róża's sister Zofia Goździewska said.
A jarring photo of siblings dressed up in "Star Wars" costumes for Halloween in Kansas, 1977. (Photograph by Terry Evans)
This recovered photo of five siblings wearing "Star Wars" costumes was taken 44 years ago. Halloween in the '70s was an eerie time, as kids were put in serious danger due to Halloween costumes made of flammable material. The flammable clothing accounted for a whopping 3,000 deaths and 150,000 burns a year.
In 1971, the F.D.A issued a warning regarding the issue, "Many homemade costumes can be treated against bursting into flames by dipping or spraying them with a solution of seven ounces of borax and three ounces of boric acid in two quarts of hot water. The treatment must be repeated after each washing."
Jack Nicholson chatting with Dennis Hopper and wife Michelle Phillips at the 42nd Academy Awards, 1970.
John Joseph Nicholson played in a wide variety of films, in the majority of which he portrayed the "eternal outsider." Most known for his roles in Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Nicholson received three Academy Awards and multiple accolades. He met his wife, Sandra Knight, on the set of the horror flick The Terror, and the two got married soon after.
"I got married on a Friday because on Wednesday Sandra said she wanted to," he recalls. The couple welcomed their daughter, Jennifer Nicholson, before their divorce in 1985. Knight told Closer their marriage ended when she realized he was going to "become a big star and have lots of temptations."
“The Veiled Christ" created in 1753 by Giuseppe Sanmartino from a single block of marble.
There's something so chilling about this famous sculpture by Giuseppe Sanmartino. Today, "The Veiled Christ" is considered one of the most impressive and well-known works of art worldwide. The Prince originally wanted Antonio Corradini to make the statue, but the Italian sculptor passed away in 1972.
Raimondo di Sangro decided to assign Neapolitan artist, Giuseppe Sanmartino, to create "a life-sized marble statue representing Our Lord Jesus Christ dead, and covered in a transparent shroud carved from the same block as the statue." The artist paid little attention to the scale model Corradini created before his death and added his own touch to the sculpture. With his bone-chilling art, he turned the suffering of Jesus Christ into human redemption and destiny.
A Chilling 1962 AMC Rambler advertisement that features reclining seats.
We can't look away at this chilling Rabler advertisement featuring a child riding close to the car's windshield. Today, this practice would not only be considered inappropriate but also downright illegal. Yet, one year after this advertisement came out, Rambler won the 1963 Motor Award "Car Of The Year Award."
The first seat belt law in the United States took effect in 1968, which required all car manufacturers to include seat belts in every vehicle. Although, even after the law took effect, the use of seat belts was still optional until each state established its own seat belt law. New York was the first state to require the wearing of seatbelts by the driver and passengers to be mandatory.
A raw photograph of Howard Stern and his crew participating at a celebrity softball game at Shea Stadium, 1985.
Howard Stern was only five years old when he realized he wanted to become a radio personality. Watching radio hosts like Bob Grant and Brad Crandall is what inspired Stern to become one. When he was little, his father would give him a microphone, a turntable, and a tape recorder so that Stern could make his own commercials and radio shows.
Stern attended Boston University, where he worked at the radio station and earned a degree in communications. Most known for his radio show The Howard Stern Show, Stern won many industry awards, including the Nationally Syndicated Air Personality of the Year Award. He was also a judge on America's Got Talent.
The eerie foot of a marble sculpture of Marcus Aurelius that was unearthed in Southern Turkey.
This shocking photo was taken at an archaeological site Sagalassos in Turkey, where some parts of a large sculpture portraying the Roman emperor have been discovered. As of today, archeologists have found the statue's leg parts, head, and right arm. They hope to recover the remaining parts as soon as possible.
The stunning parts of emperor Marcus Aurelius were uncovered in the biggest room at Sagalassos's Roman baths. The room is covered in mosaics, and the archeologists suspect it was used as a frigidarium - a room with a cold pool. Sadly, the earthquake that happened between 540AD and 620AD partially destroyed the room, and it is now under excavation.
Workers standing next to the chain used for the Titanic's anchor, circa 1910.
This eerie photo of men standing next to a massive chain was captured in 1910 by an unknown photographer. The chain belonged to the world's largest movable man-made object - the Titanic, the construction of which took more than two years and thousands of workers to complete. The construction of the Titanic officially started on March 31st, 1909.
Eight workers lost their lives during the build, and many others received injuries ranging from mild to severe. They worked six days a week from Monday to Saturday starting at 6 AM and received £2 each week. The workers were on site for around 49 hours per week.
Aerial view of Las Vegas in 1947.
Many people associate Las Vegas with dazzling casinos, shops, countless restaurants, and other tourist attractions. This rare photo from 1947 proves that the city wasn't always as magnificent and famous as it is today. In 1940, Las Vegas was home to 8,400 residents, and within a few years, the population doubled in size.
During the post-war period between 1945, and 1947, the city's tourism industry began picking up again. Following the lifting of all war period restrictions, more and more tourists came to watch the stunning dancing shows and visit the casinos. As a result, In 1948, a few more casinos, including Thunderbird, El Rancho, Fabulous Flamingo, and Last Frontier, were established in the Strip.
A rare shot of girls passing notes in class, 1950s.
Schools in the '60s were much different from the schools we know today. Back then, cellphones, computers, and tablets didn't exist, and children had to find other ways to communicate with each other. However, they had to be careful, as the punishment for not obeying the classroom rules was much harsher than it is today.
Students had to pay attention at all times, otherwise, they were risking being caned or getting slapped on the knuckles with a ruler. Talking back to the teacher was considered to be extremely unpolite and also risked severe punishment. It's safe to say we have come a long way since then.
Beautiful metal peacock doors designed in 1925 by Tiffany's for the C.D. Peacock Jewelry Store, Chicago, Illinois.
These dazzling peacock doors designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1925 weigh more than half a ton each. The peacock door is valued at more than one million dollars and is considered one of the most beautiful doors in Chicago. It belonged to the jewelry and fine china store in Palmer House.
The description on the placard states the following: “This world-renowned door, actually a piece of unusual real estate art, is one of three in creation called the “Peacock Doors.” While the design reflects the majestic and mystical bird, the door pays homage to the famed “House of Peacock.”
A stunning photo of Bulgarian bride and groom, from the Sofia region, posing for their wedding photograph in the early 1900s.
The Bulgarian wedding traditions have existed for hundreds of years, focusing on the connection of two souls and the union of their families. Notice how young the bride in this photo is. Marrying as a teen in Eastern Europe was a common occurrence in the twentieth century.
Before the wedding, the families of the groom and bride created and hung the wedding flag in their homes. Also, their relatives and siblings participated in the long walk around the village to invite people to join the celebration. In the meantime, the groom would put on his best clothes and go from one house to another and offer a sip of rakija or Bulgarian wine.
Here's a rare view of the Statue of Liberty from the balcony on top of the torch, 1930s.
This unusual photograph of the Statue of Liberty's head with tourists was taken just before the massive explosion occurred on Black Tom Island. After this unpredictable event, the general public was banned from visiting the torch, and this rare photo is all we have left to admire the beautiful view from above. On July 30, 1916, residents woke up to a massive explosion that took the lives of seven people and shattered the glass windows of many buildings and houses.
The explosion was a part of the German sabotage campaign against North America, which entirely changed people's opinion of Germany. The Statue of Liberty's torch suffered damage from the attack and therefore was closed to the public. The shocking attack took the lives of three men and a baby.
The stairs at Montmartre, 1936. (Photograph by Brassai)
This unedited photograph of the stairs at Montmartre was taken by a Hungarian-born French photographer known as "Brassai." He loved to photograph Parisian bridges, streets, tourists, and so-called "night people": hoodlums, drinkers, dance girls, and lovers. This unnerving photo conveys a peculiar atmosphere present during the early foggy mornings when not a single soul is around.
Brassai took this photo in 1936 while exploring the stairway at Rue Foyatier on Montmartre. Named after the sculptor Denis Foyatier, Rue Foyatier street became famous due to Brassai's dazzling photographs, which have been seen on exhibits. Brace yourself for the next photo on our list!
Shoe shine boys on their lunch break in New York City, 1947. (Photograph by Stanley Kubrick)
It's impossible to take your eyes off this raw photograph of shoe shine boys hanging out next to a food booth during their lunch break. This job is usually done by a boy who is responsible for cleaning and buffing customers' shoes and then applying a waxy paste to add a shiny look to them. Shining shoes still remains popular in many countries worldwide and is considered one of the most important sources of income for families.
It's common for children in Afghanistan to earn extra money working as a shoe shiner after school. They can earn up to 100 Afghanis, or 1 pound a day. For many shoe shiners, cleaning shoes is their only source of income.
A recovered photo of workers installing a Greek Revival architectural column on the Civil Courts building in St. Louis, 1928. (Photograph by W.C. Runder)
Inspired by the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, The Civil Courts Building is one of the most well-known buildings in the world. This is not photoshop. This unedited photograph of three workers fixing the Greek revival architectural column is the only proof we have today of the installation process.
In 1930, the Civil Courts Building was completed and opened to the public. Designed by the firm of Klipstein & Rathmann, this alluring establishment holds the elements of several architectural styles, including Asian, Egyptian, and Greek. The next photograph on our list is another proof that history holds many secrets.
A rare photograph of The Elk Horn Saloon in Montana, 1915.
It's fascinating to see how much fashion trends have changed in the last hundred years. In the early 1900s, men typically wore trousers, jackets, and waistcoats with white shirts, neckties, and derby hats. Younger men preferred wearing sack suits that resembled modern business suits.
Men who were in a better financial situation bought more suits and accessories to complement their outfits. The iconic 1900s fashion look for men was the curled mustache, although the clean-shaven look was equally as popular. Perhaps, someday these stunning fashion trends will come back and stick around.
A rare photo of people watching a Chicago Cubs baseball game in a tree outside Wrigley Field in 1932.
This jarring photo of fans watching the baseball game was taken almost 90 years ago. Back in the day, Cubs fans didn't have an opportunity to watch the game from the nearby buildings and rooftops. Instead, they had to climb a tree if they wanted to sneak a peek at the game.
We can't help but wonder, was there someone who charged the fans money to climb up and watch the game from the tree? Did each tree branch have an assigned seat number and row? So many questions, so few answers.
A rare photo of logging drivers on the Hudson River near Glens Falls, New York in 1907.
We can't look away at this jaw-dropping photo of logging drivers from the early 1900s. These men were responsible for running logs down the river for transportation purposes. They worked six times a day for 14-16 long hours risking their lives.
They had to leave their families behind to live in isolated camps along the river. Many workers didn't know how to swim yet spent long hours working in icy cold rivers. The attractive paycheck was what kept these men going.
A rare photograph of The Great Sphinx of Egypt in 1850.
We can't look away at this stunning photo of one of Egypt's most famous spectacles and largest sculptures - The Great Sphinx. This 73-meter-long sculpture was carved from one piece of limestone and was most likely painted after. It's estimated the statue would have taken three years for 100 workers to finish.
According to archeologists, the sculpture was likely created in 2500 BC for the ancient Egyptian king of the fourth Dynasty - Khafre. Egyptian Egyptologist Selim Hassan mentioned in his notes: "Taking all things into consideration, it seems that we must give the credit of erecting this, the world's most wonderful statue, to Khafre, but always with this reservation: that there is not one single contemporary inscription which connects the Sphinx with Khafre, so sound as it may appear, we must treat the evidence as circumstantial, until such time as a lucky turn of the spade of the excavator will reveal to the world a definite reference to the erection of the Sphinx."
"The Chief's Daughter" Loti-Kee-Yah-Tede from Pueblo, New Mexico- 1905. (Photograph by Carl Moon)
This stunning photograph of Loti-Kee-Yah-Tede is a work of American photographer Carl Moon. After finishing high school in 1903, Carl relocated to the Southwest, where he started painting and photographing Native Americans. He became interested in American Indians after reading stories by James Fenimore Cooper as a child.
Moon's work proved to be so insanely popular that he was even invited to the White House by President Theodore Roosevelt to discuss his further projects and ideas. In 1914, Moon and his wife moved to Pasadena, California, where they began working on children's books. He was responsible for the book's illustrations, and his wife, Grace, wrote the text.
A young, hip dad and his daughter walking in Amsterdam, 1968.
Many remember the '60s as the hippie era, although it did extend into the early '70s. The members of this groovy countercultural movement were typically white middle-class teenagers and young adults who rejected the mores of mainstream life. Instead, they sought their own particular lifestyle by experimenting with living arrangements, fashion, holistic medicine, vegetarian diets, and other ways.
Male hippies had long hair and beards, and both male and female members wore beads and sandals. Women dressed in long granny dresses with psychedelic colors and also favored long hair. While some hippies had their own small businesses that served other members, most of them didn't have stable jobs and careers.
Chief Dust Maker, from the Ponca tribe in northern Nebraska, 1898. (Photograph by Frank Rinehart)
Let's take a closer look at this eerie photo of Chief Dust Maker by Frank Rinehart. The meaning of Ponca is "Those Who Lead," and the term itself was the same of a clan between Quapaws, Osage, and Kansa nations. The Ponca tribe initially lived in northern Nebraska near the Niobrara River.
They relocated there from the east of the Mississippi River just before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas. In 1824, the majority of the tribe's leadership was destroyed by Lakotas when they attacked 30 leaders who were on their way back from a friendly visit to an Oglala Lakota camp. Only twelve of them survived.
The discovery of the statue of Antinous in Delphi, Greece back in 1894.
In the early 1890s, the stunning statue of Antinous was discovered by a team of French archaeologists in Delphi, Greece. In 1891, the Greek government permitted them to excavate Delphi, which led to a jaw-dropping discovery in the summer of 1894. The team of workers mainly consisted of residents of the Greek village Kastri.
The statue represented a Greek youth Antinous from Bithynia, who was known for his remarkable beauty. Antinous was Roman emperor Hadrian's lover who passed away just before his twentieth birthday under mysterious circumstances. After his lover's death, Hadrian ordered statues of Antinous to be constructed in all cities and sanctuaries of his empire.
Family dinner, 1959.
Many things have changed since the '50s and '60s, and that includes the family dinner traditions. So what did people used to eat back in the day? After World War II, eating habits started to change.
New food ingredients such as cake mixes, cereal boxes, and shortening along with cookbooks appeared on the store shelves. Families in the '50s prepared simple meals with vegetables or meat, and depending on the season, fruits and desserts were also present on dinner tables. The government also released films to show people what to eat and how to eat.
A stunning photo of Carrie Fisher watching her mother Debbie Reynolds performing at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, 1963. (Photograph by Lawrence Schiller)
Most known for her role as Princess Leia in Star Wars, Carrie Frances Fisher was an American writer and actress who appeared in Shampoo, The Blues Brothers, Hannah, and Her Sisters, The Burbs, When Harry Met Sally, Soapdish, and The Women. She was born to businesswoman, singer, and actress Debbie Reynolds, whose career lasted nearly 70 years. Carrie Fisher and her brother spent their childhood in Hollywood surrounded by royalty and scandal.
Despite dealing with Debbie's three marriages and constant attention from the public, Carrie Fisher and her mother shared a special bond. Reynolds passed away after a stroke just four days after Carrie Fisher was pronounced dead at the age of 60. Todd Fisher shared with Good Morning America: "She literally spent her life caring after Carrie," he added. "I don't think she hardly knows what to do without having Carrie to look after. I think she wanted to be with her. I'm not joking when I say she left to be with her, and I'm happy about that. That's the only thing I'm happy about."
Portrait of Kaw-U-Tz of the Caddo Nation in 1906. (Photograph by George Bancroft Cornish)
George B. Cornish took this stunning portrait of a young woman Kaw-U-Tz in 1906. She belonged to the Caddo Nation, which was a confederacy of a few Southeastern Native American tribes. Their ancestors once inhabited some parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas, East Texas, and Louisiana.
Caddo Nation consisted of traders, farmers, salt makers, and artisans. They lived in Caddo communities, where each community had its own principal leader called "chief." Nowadays, the Caddo generation often visits Arkansas as representatives of the tribe to perform traditional dances and songs.
Jackie Kennedy taking a selfie in a mirror with husband John and sister-in-law Ethel, 1954.
On July 12, 1953, Jackie Kennedy married John F. Kennedy in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Rhode Island after two years of dating. The couple went through a challenging time during the first few years of their marriage. Jackie suffered a miscarriage, and John underwent surgical intervention due to chronic back pain.
Fortunately, on November 27, 1957, the couple welcomed a healthy baby girl, Caroline Bouvier Kennedy. When she was three years old, John decided he was running for president, and Jackie traveled with him. After falling pregnant again, the doctors advised her to stay at home, but it didn't stop Jackie from being involved in the campaign.
Elton John and Barry White, 1975.
Two years before this stunning photo of Elton John and Barry White was taken, John became one of the best-selling pop performers worldwide. He sold more than 300 million records worldwide and traveled to more than 80 countries to host concerts. His compositions, written together with Tupin, were tender parodies such as "Blue Eyes," "Crocodile Rock," and "Philadelphia Freedom."
In 1988, Elton John came out of the closet, which didn't affect his career. Although, it did take him a long time to declare the news to the world. "I grew up conservative because my mum was a conservative, and when I finally realized what conservatives were, I changed my mind immediately," he recalls.
The Tower of Toghrul, dated back to the 12th century, located in the city of Rayy, Iran, photographed in the 1860s by Luigi Pesce.
We thank Luigi Pesce for this rare stunning photograph of the Tower of Toghrul taken in the 1860s in Rayy, Iran. The tower is the tomb of Seljuk ruler Tuğrul Beg, who passed away in Rey in 1063. The 30-meter-tall building is protected by Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization, and some experts claim that you can tell the time by the sunshine on the tower's congresses.
While some historians and experts claim the person buried in this tower was Tughral Beyk of Seljuk, others believe this tower is the tomb of Khalil Sultan and his wife Shadalmolk, who died in the 15th century. Following the Islamic revolution in Iran, the Tower of Toghrul was abandoned for nearly two decades before it was restored once again. Brace yourself for the next photo on our list...
Stunning Dolly Parton looking groovy in the 1970s.
Country music icon Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. She had 11 siblings, and her family faced significant financial issues. Parton was first introduced to music by her mother, who played guitar and sang.
When she was a little girl, she began performing in church, and later one of the relatives gave Parton her first guitar. In 1967, her career started to take off when she partnered with country music singer Porter Wagoner on The Porter Wagoner Show. The audience loved them, and they started recording a lot of country hits together.
A rare photo of British comedian Benny Hill showing off his skills in his kitchen, 1969.
Known as Benny Hill, Alfred Hawthorne Hill was born into a lower-middle-class family in Eastleigh, England. Hill did many odd jobs as a teen, including working as a milkman after he dropped out of high school. He always dreamed of working in the entertainment industry, and at the age of 16, he moved to London to start a career in comedy.
His career took off when he appeared in the TV show Hi There!, which motivated him to make his own TV comedy, The Benny Hill Show. His show was one of the most-watched programs in the United Kingdom, with more than 21 million viewers. The comedian also appeared in films Who Done It?, Light Up the Sky!, Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Italian Job.
"The Sopranos" actor James Gandolfini in his Park Ridge High School yearbook photo, 1979.
James Gandolfini was given the title "Class Flirt" in his senior yearbook in Park Ridge High School. He spent his high school years playing basketball and acting in school plays. He was familiar with the Italian culture, thanks to his Italian immigrant parents.
"Dad would put speakers outside, blast the tarantella and head out to cut the grass while dressed in black socks with sandals, boxer-like shorts with a high waistband, no shirt, and a hat. Much to my mother’s horror,” he has joked. After graduating from high school, Gandolfini enrolled in Rutgers University, where he majored in communications.
Behind the scenes of the children's TV series "The Banana Splits". (1968)
The Banana Splits combines classical animation and costumed antics that spoke so well to the children in the '60s. The rock band consisted of four unique members: a lion (Drooper), a dog (Fleegle), a baby elephant (Snorky), and a gorilla (Bingo). The original name for the show was The Banana Splits, but there was already a book with the same name, and its author refused to give permission to use the title.
The show ran on NBC every Saturday morning from 1968 to 1970 and entertained children of all ages. The costumes were created by the sibling team of television creators Sid and Marty Krofft. In one of his interviews with Film Threat magazine, Sid shared, "[We] were the only ones — including Disney — putting people inside of suits at the time. No one had ever heard of that."
A casual Wonder Woman
Lynda Carter's portrayal of the iconic superheroine Wonder Woman in the 1970s catapulted her to global fame and adoration. With her striking beauty, powerful physique, and magnetic charisma, Carter embodied the spirit of the character and inspired generations of girls and women around the world. Despite her immense celebrity status, however, Carter remained incredibly down-to-earth and approachable. She was known for her graciousness and warmth towards her fans, always taking the time to sign autographs and chat with those who approached her. In interviews, she spoke openly and candidly about her personal life and struggles, winning the hearts of audiences with her authenticity and vulnerability. Carter's legacy as a pop culture icon and role model endures to this day, a testament to her enduring talent and enduring humanity.
