15 Rare Photos Taken in Delaware During the Great Depression

With the crash of the stock market in 1929, Delaware and the entire nation entered an era of tremendous economic downturn: the Great Depression. From then through the late 1930s, Americans struggled to make ends meet as unemployment reached new heights. Delaware experienced growth prior to the Great Depression, mainly due to the completion of DuPont Highway in 1924. Many city and town limits expanded and saw improvements in supporting infrastructure. These rare Great Depression photos of Delaware were taken in the 1930s as those living in the First State found themselves coming out of the Depression into a decade of opportunity.

1. Magnolia, shown here, was one of the few towns where the new DuPont Highway passed right through town.

The highway providing a way for Delawareans to travel from the Brandywine Valley down into the southern parts of the state. It was useful for vacationers and tourists as well as the agricultural businesses in Sussex and Kent County.

2. Legislative Hall in Dover, the state capitol, was built during the Great Depression; it was dedicated in 1933.

Delaware became the capital of the First State in 1781, so by the time the new Legislative Hall was built, it was a brand new building in a town full of old, historic buildling.

3. Someone sits on the steps of the Dover Post Office looking onto City Hall across Loockerman Plaza.

This landmark building was a post office until 1967 when it was purchased by the Wesley United Methodist Church.

4. This view shows Dover's downtown from the corner of Loockerman Street and South State Street.

Despite the decade starting out prosperous, local businesses struggled to stay open during the darkest days of the Great Depression.

5. A local gent hangs out in front of a drug store in Dover in 1938. You could pick up a pack of smokes, a box of cigars or a prescription from your doctor at the local drug store.

These Great Depression photos of Delaware show that despite economic turmoil, life continued on in Delaware's biggest and busiest towns.

6. This little general store in Little Creek had a bit of everything: groceries, gas, and a post office.

It's amazing how Delaware's towns have changed over the decades, isn't it?

7. Small fishing communities took advantage of the bounty of the inland waterways and Delaware Bay for fresh fish and shellfish for their families and to sell at roadside stands and markets in town.

Being able to bring in seafood helped keep meals on many tables in state. Today, Delaware is known for being a great place to pick up fresh seafood at markets scattered around all three counties.

8. In the 1930s, the federal government bought Trap Pond and the surrounding land. The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), which provided jobs to young, single men during the Depression started improving the area for recreation.

The CCC was established as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal. During the decade that the program existed, more than 3 million young men participated in building recreation areas in every state.

9. Agriculture played a vital role throughout Delaware's history. With prices low in the 1930s, some farms struggled to stay afloat, but growing their own food was a huge benefit.

Today, the agricultural industry faces economic struggles of a different kind, in trying to compete with global markets and export tarriffs.

10. This photograph of the four corners in Smyrna looks very much like the scene today, with a few exceptions, the most of which being the means of transportation.

Do you recognize the buildings shown here? If this photo was in color, it would look like a photograph from today.

11. With the civil rights movement still decades away, it wasn't uncommon for there to be segregated neighborhoods.

Dover's minority neighborhoods experienced particularly tough times during the Great Depression.

12. During the Great Depression, the 'point' where Kings Highway and South State Street meet was marked by the Hotel Richardson.

The hotel was a spot for diplomats, politicians, businessmen, and others who had the means to stay overnight in the capital. In modern Dover, there's a beautiful flower bed at the very same spot.

13. The Delaware State Police force was founded in 1923. Here, two DSP troopers stand with a woman and her trailer of chickens in Seaford.

If you were able to raise chickens, you had a chance of putting food on your table and helping to feed other families in your community, too.

14. This photograph was taken looking down a street in Georgetown, which has been the county seat of Sussex since 1791.

Unlike some places in the state, these Great Depression photos of Delaware show a big change in Georgetown!

15. Thankfully, throughout our state's history, photographers, whether professional or amateur, have documented the struggles and progress of Delaware.

Here's a photo taken in 1934 of the Second Annual Convention of the Professional Photographers of Delaware. Thanks to those who continue the art form, the history of Delaware shall be preserved in images forever.

Do you have any family stories of the Great Depression? It's hard to imagine what life was like, but there's no doubt that Delaware spirit carried people through the tough times. And it's fascinating to look back on these Great Depression photos of Delaware.