This Is What Arkansas Looked Like In 1935. Wow!

We love looking at and learning more about Arkansas history, especially when it's caught on camera. It's almost as if we take photographs for granted since they're so commonplace in the 21st century. It's worthwhile to cherish these historic photos of Arkansas. Everything had value in days when people had so little. Depression-era photographers Arthur Rothstein and Ben Shahn are much appreciated for taking pictures throughout the summer and autumn of 1935 of Arkansas homes and families, sharing with us a part of the past that absolutely must be remembered. Ready to take a walk down memory lane?

12. Road to Marked Tree

Photographer Ben Shahn took this October 1935 on a road leading to the town of Marked Tree, Arkansas. Note the advertising of the Marked Tree Bank, a poignant sign attempting to give hope in hard times.

11. West Memphis Liquor Store

How much has West Memphis changed? This picture was taken in October 1935 outside of a local liquor store. West Memphis is still seen as one of Arkansas's more prominent cities of vice.

10. 4-H Club Member

This proud young man, one of the children of the Dyess colony, was photographed in Mississippi County by Arthur Rothstein in August 1935.

9. Sixty Cents a Day

These Pulaski County field workers, who only earned sixty cents a day for hard labor, stood for this picture taken in October 1935 by Ben Shahn.

8. Boone County Family

The impoverished Boone County family of a Resettlement Administration client were photographed by Ben Shahn in October 1935.

7. Pulaski County Cotton Field Workers

These Pulaski County field workers pause for a moment during a day of hard work for this picture taken by Ben Shahn in October 1935.

6. Malnourished Child

Arthur Rothstein photographed this Mississippi County child on the Wilson cotton plantation. The photo was taken in August 1935, and the photographer notes that the child was suffering from both malnutrition and rickets, common ailments for poor children in the 1930s.

5. Zinc Storefront

The town of Zinc's population was dwindling by the time this October 1935 picture was taken by Ben Shahn.

4. Blind Street Musician

Ben Shahn took a great photograph of this blind street musician in West Memphis in October 1935.

3. Canning Corn

The women in this picture are demonstrating the process of canning corn at community canning kitchen near Atkins, Arkansas. The photograph was taken in August 1935 by Arthur Rothstein.

2. Arkansas Gothic

This photograph of a Boone County husband and wife (almost reminiscent of the famous 'American Gothic' portrait by Grant Wood) was taken in October 1935 by Ben Shahn.

1. Mississippi County Sharecropper's Daughter

This young girl, a sharecropper's daughter, looks as if she's enjoying a moment of rest from daily chores on this Mississippi County farm. The photo was taken by Arthur Rothstein in August 1935.

For those Arkansans who lived during these times, keep sharing your inspirational stories! Generations to come will be eager to know about this bygone era and how strong their forebears had to be to endure nearly insurmountable and difficult situations. The question also still remains: What traits of these strong people still remain in modern-day Arkansas residents? Let us know in the comments below!

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