What Did Things Cost in 1860?
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was campaigning for President, home canning jars and the Winchester rifle had just been invented, and the Pony Express was beginning its mail delivery service. The latest census showed that the United States had 31 million people, 77 of whom were killed that year in the country’s first factory disaster. Land was selling for $3 to $5 an acre, and a laborer’s wage without board was 90 cents a day.
Wheat flour — $7.14/barrel
Rice — 7 cents/pound
Granulated sugar — 8 cents/pound
Roasting beef — 11 cents/pound
Soup beef — 4 cents/pound
Cheese — 13 cents/pound
Eggs — 20 cents/dozen
Hard wood — $6.49/cord
Rent for 4 rooms — $4.45/month
Room and board for men — $2.79/month
Room and board for women — $1.79/month
I gathered this information and these prices from entries in a journal that my great-great (I’d have to figure it up to know exactly how many greats) grandfather kept in 1860. This man made a journal entry almost every day of his adult life and recorded family happenings and events around town, as well as prices for everything he purchased. I “inherited” many of these journals… lucky me… they make for some fun reading.
Written by Shirley | Filed Under Glimpse into the Past
Comments
Comment by Julia aka ghostfire:
Fascinating look at costs back then. I really believe that one of the reasons we’re struggling so much in the US right now is that land prices have gotten totally out of sync with the average person’s income. It seems that a person could easily save up for a small farm in a few months. Now, your average person couldn’t afford a single acre without saving a year or more, and that’s worthless without endless permits and a house. If no one’s moving out of their parents’ houses before they’re 30, it’s because they can’t afford to.
Comment by Kristi G:
I hope to find journals like that one day! I should start checking family information…what an excellent resource to have. (Sorry, I’m a budding historian/historical fiction writer…)
It does give you a good look back, just to get an idea of where we came from…thank you for posting this!
Comment by Angelena:
Loved looking at the prices from that era. That is so neat that he kept record of all that and you inherited it. What a treasure!
Comment by Sybil:
Have you ever thought of publishing your great great etc. Grandfather’s journal? I’d read it! Sounds fascinating.
Comment by David G.:
I thought this article was interesting, so I ran the numbers through an inflation calculator to see the equivalent price in today’s dollars. Here’s what I found:
Barrel of wheat flour: $7.14 in 1860 = $162.95 in 2007
Rice/pound: $0.07 in 1860 = $1.60 in 2007
Granulated sugar/pound: $0.08 in 1860 = $1.83 in 2007
Roasting beef/pound: $0.11 in 1860 = $2.51 in 2007
Soup beef/pound: $0.04 in 1860 = $0.91 in 2007
Cheese/pound: $0.13 in 1860 = $2.97 in 2007
Eggs/dozen: $0.20 in 1860 = $4.56 in 2007
Hard wood/cord: $6.49 in 1860 = $148.11 in 2007
Rent/4 rooms/month: $4.45 in 1860 = $101.56 in 2007
Room & board for men/month: $2.79 in 1860 = $63.67 in 2007
Room & board for women/month: $1.79 in 1860 = $40.85 in 2007
So, the only thing I can see that actually costs less nowadays is eggs, with housing being the biggest difference.
Comment by Brad Williams:
A- specifically for the Henry Riflem doing research for a novel – part of which – has reference to the civil war in early 1860 – 1861.
Need info on the cost of ammunition specifically for the Henry Rifle
a .44 caliber rim fire cartridge
would appreciate anything you might have
Best Regards
Brad Williams
Please leave a comment!