Dating in the 1870s

Many young ladies in the Chicago area during the 1870s and 1880s opened up their homes on New Year’s Day for what was described as “New Year’s Day Calling”.  Cards similar to Christmas greetings were distributed with the ladies’ addresses labeled on them and advertised in the newspapers.  NPR describes this activity as a sort of “speed dating” of the late 19th century.   According to the Chicago Tribune, a young woman would open up her house on January 1 usually between 10 am - 9pm and serve refreshments while the bachelors would introduce themselves and leave their names on the card.   

According to NPR, if the lady asked the young man to remove his hat and coat, this was a good sign.  However, if the woman was not interested, she would have the man keep his coat on and he was required to stay for only 10-15 minutes.   Men could come in groups or solo.  Also, woman could host parties with their friends.  Cakes and drinks were available at these parties, but serving alcohol was not acceptable.  A warm fire was also suggested.   

Calling was actually a huge success during this time in many cities.  NPR states that there is mention of a woman in Washington DC who had 900 men show up at her house for a calling!  There were also different types of shoes sold for these events.  Unfortunately, this custom eventually disappeared and by the 1920s this type of dating was considered “old-fashioned”.  

Here is an advertisement in the Chicago Tribune for a calling from December 23, 1880:

It has been the custom of THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE to mention, in a pleasant and modest way, the names of ladies in Chicago and the suburbs who would keep “open house” on New-Year’s Day...It is the desire of THE TRIBUNE to present in its issue of Friday, Dec. 31, 1880, a complete and full list of the names of all ladies who will receive on the following day.  We therefore suggest that all in Chicago and vicinity who propose keeping “open house,” and wish mention made of the same, will notify THE TRIBUNE on or before Thursday, Dec. 30.