Most of the photos on this site were extracted from reference images (high-resolution tiffs, 20 to 200 megabytes in size) from the Library of Congress research archive. (To query the database click here.) Many were digitized by LOC contractors using a Sinar studio back. They are adjusted by your webmaster for contrast and color in Photoshop before being downsized and turned into the jpegs you see here.

Oct. 10, 1916. Comanche County, Oklahoma. "School #45, Ash Grove; Miss Hazel McKay, Teacher. One-room school in fair condition. Opened Sept. 4 for 8 month term. Enrollment 22, average attendance 15; last year: enrollment 27, average attendance 15. The balance are picking cotton and also five more that have not enrolled at all. Pickers may be out two weeks more. Teacher expects 30 enrolled after picking is over." View full size. Photo and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine.
Just a guess... but maybe extra protection from tornadoes?
Today's Top 5