Louisiana has some truly incredible history and roots. These vintage photographs of Louisiana taken during WWII (as well as periods right before WWII) will change your perspective on our amazing state. Have you ever seen what rural Louisiana general stores were like during this time? Isn’t it incredible to think about how many people were employed on farms or by fishing? Let’s take a look:

1. French Market of New Orleans, June 1938
photogrammar.yale.edu / Carl Mydans
Marketplace in the French quarters of New Orleans, market for Resettlement Administration's rehabilitation clients
2. Creole girls, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, October 1941
photogrammar.yale.edu / Ben Shahn
3. Children at the National Rice Festival
photogrammar.yale.edu / Russell Lee
Two children in buggy, National Rice Festival, Crowley, Louisiana
4. Sugarcane Farmer, September 1940
photogrammar.yale.edu / Arthur Rothstein
Experimental sugarcane (POJ) which has been imported by the Department of Agriculture because of its resistance to the mosaic disease, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
5. River pilot entering pilot's clubhouse, Pilottown, Louisiana, September 1938
photogrammar.yale.edu / Russell Lee
6. Florestine Carson, Creole Fur Trapper, October 1941
photogrammar.yale.edu / Ben Shahn
Florestine Carson, Creole trapper, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

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7. Oyster Shipper, Olga, LA September 1938
photogrammar.yale.edu / Russell Lee
Oyster shipper making out tags to be attached to bags of oysters, Olga, Louisiana
8. Small Store, Jeanerette, October 1938
photogrammar.yale.edu / Russell Lee
9. Store Owner, Amite City, October 1939
photogrammar.yale.edu / Ben Shahn
10. Near Bayou Teche, September 1938
photogrammar.yale.edu / Russell Lee
Chapel and shrine on small island in Bayou Teche near Adeline, Louisiana, September 1938
11. Boxers, Rayne, LA September 1938
photogrammar.yale.edu / Russell Lee
Start of an amateur boxing match, Rayne, Louisiana
12. Abandoned Lumber Town, Fullerton, July 1937
photogrammar.yale.edu / Dorothea Lange
13. Tenant Farmer with Mule, September 1940
photogrammar.yale.edu / Arthur Rothstein
Tenant farmer with mule given him by the Resettlement Administration, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

Aren’t those some incredible vintage photographs of Louisiana? When I see them, they simply take my breath away. I can barely believe them. What did you think of these photographs? Which were your favorites? We love to hear your feedback!

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