Posted in Florida
December 31, 2015
Here’s A Glimpse Of Life In Florida In 1939. WOW.
These stunning photos taken by Marion Post Wolcott for the United States Farm Security Administration and Office of War Information (FSA-OWI) give us a glimpse of an interesting time in our state’s history. In 1939, things were starting to improve for some, but the Great Depression was still in full swing in many areas. The captions have been provided below the photographs.
Post office. Miami.
One of Miami's streets showing varied small shops, signs, and tourist bureaus. Miami Beach
June in January, Miami Beach
Federal theatre. Miami.
June in January, Miami Beach
Horse races, Hialeah Park, Miami
Even the gas stations are on an elaborate scale, often modern in design, resembling hotels. Miami Beach
Part of Florida home in wealthy residential section. Miami Beach
Wandering preacher, often seen in the South. "Before I knew our Lord I used to be a terrible sinner. I'd get so drunk I couldn't stand up." Belle Glade
Plant City, Florida, strawberry festival and carnival
Plant City, Florida, strawberry festival and carnival
Front of thatched house made of palm leaves near Moore Haven
Old trolley car, now a liquor store, along highway near Perrine
Migrant laborers' camp near Canal Point, Florida. In foreground is a bean hamper which they use to sit on and they call a "muck rocker." Some of them are from Missouri and Arkansas
"Buddy," youngest child of migrant packinghouse worker from Tennessee, sitting on the only bed for six people, which is rolled out on the ground at night and pushed into the back during the day. Belle Glade. Both parents work, so the children are often left alone.
Home, Lake Harbor, Florida, of migrant agricultural workers just returning from fields
Tom Tom Herb Tonic trailertruck in transient laborer's cabin and trailer camp. Belle Glade.
General town meeting place: the park. Lakeland, Florida
A tourist "attraction." Aztec wishing well and "sausage" tree near Homestead, Florida
USSC (United States Sugar Corporation) hauls sugarcane from the fields to its mill by their own railroad system. Clewiston
Movie theatre. Moore Haven
Typical Florida country near Moore Haven
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