Have you ever taken a few hours to sit down and look at old family photos, reminiscing on simpler times? It's a nostalgic, almost therapeutic activity, bringing back cherished memories that last a lifetime. The same can be said for historic photographs of our state - though most of us weren't around when they were taken, viewing them is like taking a step back in time and experiencing all the trials and tribulations for ourselves. These 13 photos showcase what life was like in Texas in the mid-1930s, shortly after the Great Depression.
1. April, 1936. A foreboding dust storm engulfs the roadway in the Texas Panhandle. Can you imagine what the poor driver of this car was thinking?
2. September, 1936. A family stops to repair a tire between Dallas and Austin en route to the Arkansas Delta from their home in South Texas. With no money and just three gallons of gas in the tank, they are journeying to find work in the cotton fields.
3. June, 1937. A freight train moves east near Odessa. The safety regulations have changed quite a bit over the years, wouldn't you agree?
4. July, 1937. The town square of Memphis, Texas on a summer day. The town still only has a population of around 2,000, so it probably doesn't look much different!
5. July, 1937. An abandoned café in Carey, which was quickly becoming a ghost town at the time this photo was taken.
6. July, 1937. The Pony Express delivers the mail in Marshall. Sometimes, we find ourselves wishing it was still done this way - do you?
7. June, 1938. A barn and shed on wide open Panhandle land near Boise City. What a quiet life this must've been!
8. July, 1938. Just north of El Paso, U.S. No. 54 was one of the primary migration routes leading westward.
9. July, 1938. An early look at the McLennan County Courthouse in Waco, established in 1901. The building still stands today, looking as pristine as ever.
10. February, 1939. The Hays County Jail in San Marcos. It looks more like a motel to us - not very many prisoners could fit inside!
11. March, 1939. A group of moviegoers in Pharr waits for the cinema to open. Don't you wonder what film they were there to see?
12. March, 1939. This miniature golf course in McAllen sure looks like a fun place for a family outing. It's much simpler than the mini-golf courses of today, but there's great beauty in simplicity.
13. The office of the Cameron County Tax Assessor and Collector. We'll take a wild guess and say this building wasn't very well-liked by residents of the area!
Which one of these historic photos of Texas is your favorite? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section, then check out our previous article for more old pictures taken in the Lone Star State.
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