Welcome to Hobo Archive! Explore the growing collection of digitized items related to the history and culture of the American hobo, the tramp, and the rail-riding community. This history collection documents the preservation of rail-riding history and culture in America. Here you can explore collections of information, documents, art, images, oral histories, artifacts, and more. These digital resources include cultural items and historical records that may be culturally sensitive. Access is made possible through partnerships with the U.S. rail-riding community and the University of Iowa.

To begin searching the archive, please refer to the search box below. Or, find the "browse items" tab, or tagged keywords in the dropdown menu, to search for a particular item.

Please note: When viewing individual items, double-click on the images to enlarge them for viewing.

Recently Added Items

Interview with Bruce "BGT" Todd (Part 2)

In this phone interview, Bruce shares his experiences rail riding throughout the late 1900s. He shares stories about his time riding trains across the…

Interview with Bruce "BGT" Todd (Part 1)

In this phone interview, Bruce shares his experiences rail riding throughout the late 1900s. He shares stories about his time riding trains across the…

Interview with Jim Chrisinzio

In this phone interview, Jim describes his experiences rail riding across the U.S. and Canada beginning in the 1960s. He recounts his attendance at…

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