It’s hard to imagine the difficulties that Oklahomans lived through during the 1930s. Some see it as a simpler time, but it was difficult due to the conditions of the drought and the Great Depression. Farmers became unemployed, many people migrated West and poverty was unimaginable – yet they still survived. What did daily life look during this era? Take a look at these 20 photos showcasing what small towns in Oklahoma had in the 1930s:
- Local drought farmers waiting around for work.
Dorothea Lange/Photogrammar
- And the farmers working the local fields.
Dorothea Lange/Photogrammar
- Small churches were an important part of the community.
Dorothea Lange/Photogrammar
- They had a local jail and sheriff on watch.
Dorothea Lange/Photogrammar
- Main Streets filled with locals or deserted ones that became ghost towns.
Dorothea Lange/Photogrammar
- Corn grinders for the breaking down of food.
Dorothea Lange/Photogrammar
- Clothes lines were used to dry the clothes.
Russell Lee/Photgrammar
- The local bank was not only a place of business, but a gathering spot for the locals.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- Milk cans and milk delivery were commonplace.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- Water wells were essential for survival.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- General stores were where you sent the children to pick up supplies.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- Small schoolhouses that were usually no more than one room.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- Barber shops with the iconic striped poles.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- Poverty that was unimaginable.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- The local mailman that was on a first name basis.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- Mom and pop cafes that served a warm meal.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- City halls smaller than one-room schoolhouses.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- Feed mills for the local farmers to feed their livestock.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- Lots for the horses and wagons.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
- And hitching posts for the mules.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
Did you live in a small town in Oklahoma in the 1930s? If so, we would love to hear your story. Please share in the comments.
Dorothea Lange/Photogrammar
Russell Lee/Photgrammar
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
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