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In pictures: archive photos of Cuba's Havana from the early 1900s

Street vendors, mounted police, and walking on the Malecon…

Jul 8th 2012, 2:00 PM 9,966 Views 18 Comments

IN RECENT MONTHS, we’ve brought you archived photographs depicting street scenes in New York in the early 1900s and life in 20th century Ireland.

This weekend, we’ve compiled a series of images collected in the archives of the United States Library of Congress which were taken in and around Havana, Cuba. The photographs were taken in the years surrounding the country formally gaining its independence from the US in 1902, and some of the iconic buildings featured (such as the city’s cathedral and the Hotel Inglaterra) are still in use today:

In pictures: archive photos of Cuba's Havana from the early 1900s
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  • Havana

    1903: Making pure Havanas, the world's most famous cigars, at the largest factory of Havana. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    1904: Malecon and El Morro in Havana. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    1903: A meat wagon in Havana. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    Monument to Cuban students in Colon Cemetery. The students were executed by Spainish troops during their colonisation of the island. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    People enjoying a stroll along the Malecon in Havana. This image was taken between 1890 and 1910. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    Pastoda Battery, between Cabanas and El Morro, circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    A street corner shop selling its wars circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    A Havana street scene and monument circa 1903. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    Image marked by the photography firm as a 'typical Havana window' circa 1903. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    Vegetable traders, circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    Vegetable stands in Mercado Tocon, circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    A policeman and his mount. Photo taken between 1900 and 1906. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    The chapel at Havana's Colon Cathedral, between 1900 and 1906. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    A merchant selling coconuts in Havana, between 1890 and 1910. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    A fruit vendor with his cart, circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    A funeral car bearing floral tributes in Havana, Cuba between 1900 and 1906. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    1904: A harbour view in Havana. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    A view out over Havana circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    La Catedral in Havana, circa 1900. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    1901: Havana Street (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    1900: Hotel Inglaterra in Havana, which is still welcoming guests today. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    1904: Jai Alai Hall, Havana, Cuba. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Havana

    Locals gather and pose for the camera in Havana in this photo taken between 1900 and 1906. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • 1903: Making pure Havanas, the world's most famous cigars, at the largest factory of Havana. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • 1904: Malecon and El Morro in Havana. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • 1903: A meat wagon in Havana. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • Monument to Cuban students in Colon Cemetery. The students were executed by Spainish troops during their colonisation of the island. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • People enjoying a stroll along the Malecon in Havana. This image was taken between 1890 and 1910. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • Pastoda Battery, between Cabanas and El Morro, circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • A street corner shop selling its wars circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • A Havana street scene and monument circa 1903. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • Image marked by the photography firm as a 'typical Havana window' circa 1903. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • Vegetable traders, circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • Vegetable stands in Mercado Tocon, circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • A policeman and his mount. Photo taken between 1900 and 1906. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • The chapel at Havana's Colon Cathedral, between 1900 and 1906. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • A merchant selling coconuts in Havana, between 1890 and 1910. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • A fruit vendor with his cart, circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • A funeral car bearing floral tributes in Havana, Cuba between 1900 and 1906. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • 1904: A harbour view in Havana. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • A view out over Havana circa 1904. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • La Catedral in Havana, circa 1900. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • 1901: Havana Street (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • 1900: Hotel Inglaterra in Havana, which is still welcoming guests today. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • 1904: Jai Alai Hall, Havana, Cuba. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • Locals gather and pose for the camera in Havana in this photo taken between 1900 and 1906. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

From the archives: Photos of life in early 20th century Ireland >

In pictures: New York City street scenes from the early 1900s >

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About the author
Susan Ryan
@SusanSRyan
susanryan@thejournal.ie

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