Horse Head Hitching Post c. 1939

Hilda Olson created this drawing of a horse head hitching post, but the date is unknown. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as America shifted from a rural to an urban society, the hitching post became an increasingly common sight in towns and cities. These posts provided a place for people to secure their horses while they shopped, conducted business, or visited friends. At the time, horses were the primary mode of transportation and a symbol of wealth and status. An elaborately decorated hitching post like this might be a sign of civic pride, reflecting the aspirations of a community. Historians use sources such as local newspapers, city directories, and photographs to reconstruct the social and economic landscape of the past. These resources help us understand the role of art in reflecting and shaping the values of its time.