Hammock Hanging early 1900's

**Hobbit** · 11-23-2010, 19:42

I’m a history buff of north central PA. Some of my hiking is to discover or wander old road beds dating from the 1700’s to late 1800's. Another aspect is reviewing older photos and postcards for placement of buildings now gone. Looking at local photographs under magnification has shown a great deal of hammock hanging in the area around the turn of the century, 1900’s.

I’ve attached photos below of two vintage hammocks. One is a tent city with a couple hammocks. Even then someone had showed the tent dwellers what real comfort was.

The other is of a similar design on a local front porch. On my front porch the hooks for such a hammock still remain. I hang hammocks from vintage hooks on my barn. Hammocks were hung from the barn to a windmill tower. Take a look around you might find evidence of hammock hanging from many years ago.

**Migrating Bird** · 11-23-2010, 20:28

I am also interested in the early history, in my area it is the old roads, cellar holes, charcoal sites and such. Never thought of checking out old photos for signs of hammocks. Very cool pictures and evidence of lazy summer days before air conditioning.

**slowhike** · 11-23-2010, 21:10

Interesting stuff. I like going back in time.

**creativeKayt** · 11-24-2010, 00:47

What a fantastic find! Thanks for sharing this.

**Cold Butt Stephen** · 11-24-2010, 03:15

Thanks for those pictures, I really appreciate you taking the time to post your discoveries. I really love learning about the history behind the hammock and its role through time. Post more if you find them.

**Shug** · 11-24-2010, 10:36

That is fascinating ..... love it.
I love how they used to hang hammocks in breezeways between front and back doors to catch the breeze.
Good stuff.
Shug

**Poppabear** · 11-24-2010, 10:42

Good stuff, very interesting.

**split** · 11-24-2010, 12:05

Thanks for that.

**Doc B** · 11-25-2010, 16:49

Thanks so much for this!

I suspect that some of the "new" things we are finding out about hammocking are oftentimes rediscoveries of things the old timers used to know. I'm a 9th generation Floridian and my great-grandfather would hunt in the Everglades for the government many moons ago. They would be brought in on a train and stay for 2 weeks at a time. They used hammocks that they had made with a double bottom so they could stuff things in it to keep warm. Now we have underquilts!

Cheers,
MacGyver

**HamMike** · 11-25-2010, 21:46

That's very cool! I love peering into time to see how people lived everyday life. Looks like they knew how to relax in style back in the day too! I know my grandfather kept a hammock on a stand in his backyard I'll look around and see if I can find some pics. Thanks for posting those old pics!