December 1936. "Mrs. Charles Benning sweeping steps of shack in Shantytown. Spencer, Iowa." Seen earlier here with her baby. View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Resettlement Administration.
Looking at the protruding metal above the "dangerous" box, I wonder if this shack might not have begun life as some sort of truck body. That looks like it could be a heavy chassis, and the detritus next to the shack includes a steering wheel and an auto or truck cab.
Sort of "I drove it as far as it would go, and now we're stuck here!"
[The protruding part is wood, not metal (below). The little shacks were dragged around by horse team. - Dave]
Submitted by Anonymous Tipster on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 7:53am.
It is interesting to note the different sets of wires in the photo. One set seems to be going to this shack itself. Note the light bulb over the doorway, so they had electricity despite the poor circumstances.
Interesting, that the inside of the place looked so much neater than the exterior. The only thing she had left is whatever dignity she could muster. The interior shot showed the made bed, a cleanly clothed child, curtained window and Mrs. Benning looking fondly at her baby. I hope her life improved and the child grew up in better circumstances. That the depression didn't kill the spirit of our country is a tribute to people like her.
