1939 marked the beginning of the end of the Great Depression in South Carolina. Plummenting prices of cotton and tobacco in 1920 caused the depression to start earlier here in South Carolina than most everywhere else in the U.S. Until then, the cotton business alone was so booming that even children as young as 6 and 7 were getting jobs at the mills. Their employment was needed not only by their families but also by the industry so it could keep up with the demand.
But that all changed so fast for so many. And then, folks suffered through nearly two decades of the Great Depression here in South Carolina. It was a long and arduous time. But we eventually turned things back around.
By the end of The Great Depression in South Carolina things were changing for a lot of people. Here’s a look at South Carolina on the rebound in 1939.
- Children repairing a plow in shop class at Ashwood Plantation in Lee County.
http://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/fsa/8c10000/8c10100/8c10157v.jpg Photographer’s notes: pictured are L.O. Baker, Clarence Le Grand, and Jack Myers.
- Traveling down the road near Manning, SC.
Library of Congress/LC-USF34- 051911-D [P&P]
- Mrs. Frederick Oliver brings in canned goods from the smokehouse in Summerton.
Library of Congress/LC-USF34- 051924-D [P&P] LOT 1529 Note, this family has the luxury of a well - with a pump.
- The children of Frederick Oliver feed the family’s hogs in Summerton.
Library of Congress/LC-USF34- 051929-D [P&P]
- The 1939 4th of July picnic on St. Helena Island, SC.
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030417-M1 [P&P]
- This man, John Houston, rented this house on Lady’s Island in Beaufort in 1939.
Library of Congress/LC-USF34- 051946-D [P&P] LOT 1530
- Cannery workers on St. Helena Island on their way home from work.
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030430-M1 [P&P]
- Fishing boats on St. Helena Island, SC.
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030431-M2 [P&P]
- Ashwood Plantation in Lee County.
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030366-M1 [P&P] The photographer notes this photo is of a “prize winning baby” at the 1939 May Day health event at Ashwood Plantation.
- A picnic at Ashwood Plantation in 1939.
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030367-M3 [P&P]
- Pauline Clyburn tends to her chickens in Manning, SC.
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030420-M2 [P&P]
- Youngsters play on a Model T in Pacolet, SC.
Yale/Photogrammer/LC-USF33-020807
- A cow watching her owners move into their new pre-fab house in Pacolet, SC.
Yale/Photogrammer/LC-USF33-020827
The Palmetto State has rebounded from many tulmultuous times. We’re happy to share some images of the return to good times after this country’s Great Depression.
http://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/fsa/8c10000/8c10100/8c10157v.jpg
Photographer’s notes: pictured are L.O. Baker, Clarence Le Grand, and Jack Myers.
Library of Congress/LC-USF34- 051911-D [P&P]
Library of Congress/LC-USF34- 051924-D [P&P] LOT 1529
Note, this family has the luxury of a well - with a pump.
Library of Congress/LC-USF34- 051929-D [P&P]
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030417-M1 [P&P]
Library of Congress/LC-USF34- 051946-D [P&P] LOT 1530
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030430-M1 [P&P]
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030431-M2 [P&P]
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030366-M1 [P&P]
The photographer notes this photo is of a “prize winning baby” at the 1939 May Day health event at Ashwood Plantation.
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030367-M3 [P&P]
Library of Congress/LC-USF33- 030420-M2 [P&P]
Yale/Photogrammer/LC-USF33-020807
Yale/Photogrammer/LC-USF33-020827
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