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The Vacationist: 1942
... the Family Campster. Medium format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Office of War Information. View full size. Sketchy rig ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/30/2020 - 12:49am -

July 1942. "Oakridge, Oregon. Vacationist." Early version of the Family Campster. Medium format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Office of War Information. View full size. Sketchy rigThe only thing holding that boat on the car is the 35MPH speed limit. Gone FishingNicely accessorized 1940 Chevrolet "Special Deluxe Club Coupe". ProofThere was a boat on there when we left. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Russell Lee, Travel & Vacation)
One Nation Indivisible: 1941
... of July." View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. Interesting pose Interesting ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/24/2008 - 12:00am -

July 1941. "Citizens of Vale, Oregon take off their hats during the Pledge of Allegiance (radio program) on the Fourth of July." View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. Interesting poseInteresting pose for holding one's hat. I'm sure there was no malicious intent meant. Man With HatThe Finger! Hear hear. I memorized itHear hear. I memorized it before those other two words were added. And I still like it much better that way. From the looks of thatFrom the looks of that finger, particularly the knuckles, he may very well have had trouble bending it, I know mine looks a bit like that and it's quite painful to bend. It's also swollen compared to the rest so he may have been recovering from an accident or infection. Life before the red menace!One Nation Indivisible, With Liberty and Justice For All. America before McCarthyism. AmenWe won WWI... We won WWII... I went to high school... (my father did not) I fought in WWII... I purchased a home... (my father did not) I put my kids thru college (I did not) All with out those two words... But I remember when in history class "E pluribus unum" was referred to as "our motto" and we sang "My country,' tis of thee, sweet land of liberty... I am an old codger near 92 but I feel we lost something, where is Thomas Jefferson when we need him? The FingerI wondered if I would be the only one who noticed the guy giving the photographer the finger. We started including "under God" when I was in the third grade. Confused us a little. I don't think any of us really fully knew that we were indeed pledging our allegiance to the U.S.A. It was rote to recite daily, before classes. (The Gallery, July 4, Russell Lee, Small Towns)
Cafe Society: 1941
... the South Side of Chicago, Illinois." Acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Snow White ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/27/2012 - 4:50pm -

April 1941. "Tavern on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois." Acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Snow WhiteIt would appear the Atlas Prager Beer is what is "tops for taste." And I love that Disney mural. If they saw that today, you can bet there would be a lawsuit. Instrumental BreakLooks like the drummer is about ready to dine on one of Chicago's famous franks. Seven dwarfsDig that hip Snow White theme on the mural behind the piano. Call For Philip MorrisThe cigarette tray atop the piano was found in most nightclubs of the era suspended from the neck of a pretty girl. She roamed the room hawking cigarettes and cigars. The cigarettes, worth about 25 cents a pack, were sold for a dollar and a tip was expected as well. Philip Morris cigarette advertising in store and on radio featured a little man in a hotel bellhop or page boy uniform shouting "Call for Philip Morris". The cardboard cutout of Johnny (Johnny Roventini, a 4 foot 7 inch actor) in vendor display windows made him a nationally known figure. Nice PA SystemI work in the audio industry so I am always interested in old PA equipment. I suspect the vocalist is using a carbon microphone (rugged but somewhat limited fidelity), whose cord can be traced to the amplifier sitting on the piano. Said amp, with nice crackle finish chassis, appears to use popular 6V6 power tubes, which would give it a power of about 15 watts. We can't see the speakers but the cover the amp is sitting on suggests a 12 or 15-inch speaker in the mating cabinet. This would be as loud as a decent jukebox and would let a single vocalist keep up with an unamplified horn band. Today, everyone would feel obliged to have their own mic, including the drummer, and a typical bar system has about 1000 watts, hence the deafening level of sound (what?) in modern clubs. I bet this little combo sounded great. Beat of a Different DrumHow common was it to have a woman as a drummer? I had to look carefully but her nails are painted, she's wearing earrings, and that hat, hair and shirt have a distinctly feminine look. Transgender & Deco DisneyWhat an interesting photo. I love both the people and the mural. I'm especially intrigued with the gender of the drummer. The person appears to be a woman (eyebrows, earrings) which would seem remarkable given the time, and the fact that the drummer is often the most traditionally male role of a musical quartet. Also, if it is a woman, the clothing is entirely transgender: a man's suit and hat. Then we come to the mural: an image that would certainly be litigated today for use of Disney iconography -- compelling for the Art Deco style of the non-Disney components. Is that some sort of amplifier to the left above the piano player? Yes, a woman drummerInteresting how people think life for women started with the ERA. Her clothing is typical for women in 1941, as is her hat. The suit would likely have been blue serge. This entire scene is so wonderful, I dream about seeing the finished mural, and the face of Snow White. Disney characters are fashioned by artists (me included) the world over, just not expected to be seen on Shorpy. Even the glass of stale beer is captivating. "Call for Philip Mor-rees!"In the 1950s, the Philip Morris TV commercials played a recording of Johnny Roventini's famous call as it used to be broadcast over the radio. The intonation was captivating, deliberate and drawn out. You can hear it at www.bellhop.org. I always thought this was the perfect example of how bellhops used to call out names in hotel lobbies so they could be heard over the noise and bustle. I can also remember Perry Como doing a live commercial during his show. He turned to the camera, took a long draw, blew out the smoke and said "It's good for you!" Mark J Earl "Fatha" HinesLooks like bandleader and pianist Earl Hines is at the mike. He owned Chicago at the time. Here's a list of African American female drummers who may have worked during this time: Henrietta Fontaine, Hetty Smith, Mattie Watson, Helen Cole, Dez Thompson, Rae Scott, and Alma Hightower. I haven't seen a photo of any of them to compare to the drummer pictured here. They're mentioned in the book "Swing Shift: All-Girl Bands of the 1940s" by Sherrie Tucker. Update: I deleted four of the names after contacting Sherrie Tucker, who was able to eliminate them due to race or age. She'll check on other possiblities and hopefully chime in. FYI, her current project is on the Hollywood Canteen. (The Gallery, Chicago, Eateries & Bars, Music, Russell Lee)
Larger Than Life: 1939
... Happy Father's Day from Shorpy! Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Four Paws and ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/16/2018 - 6:17pm -

August 1939. "Oilfield truck driver and his son sitting on front porch. Seminole, Oklahoma." Happy Father's Day from Shorpy! Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Four Paws and a PaPerfect! True lovein the eyes of that little boy for his dad. "Thank you, dad"... for this cute puppy dog and my new overalls! Big Bucks!I just read an article in the L.A. Times saying that oilfield truck drivers are being offered $140,000 plus. Wonder what this guy was pulling down. The kid's look of adoration makes Father's Day! Looking up to your fatherThe totally honest look of admiration and idolization in the eyes of that little boy for his father could never be posed or faked. It amazes me to see repeatedly on Shorpy how one picture really does speak a thousand words. Thank you for a truly heartwarming photo in which material wealth is not a factor in determining the important things in life. Happy Father's Day to all the devoted dads in the world. (The Gallery, Dogs, Kids, Russell Lee)
Barnyard Buddies: 1936
... Iowa." Kittycat and Piglet sharing a Mulesicle. Photo by Russell Lee. View full size. Ah, the brutal realities of farm life. All ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/15/2013 - 8:44am -

December 1936. "William Helmke farm near Dickens, Iowa." Kittycat and Piglet sharing a Mulesicle. Photo by Russell Lee. View full size. Ah, the brutal realities of farm life.All those hipsters who think they can handle owning a farm because they managed to grow an herb garden successfully need to see this. .38 SpecialI find it interesting to note the simplicity of his pistol as compared to the paramilitary 16-shot automatics and tons of other gear the police strap on today. [I'm pretty sure he's unarmed. - Dave] IndeedHaving grown up on a dirt road between a chicken and a pig farm I am aware of its brutal realities. What I find amazing is the likelihood of a piglet and a cat sharing a meal together. (The Gallery, Cats, Horses, Russell Lee)
Snapped: 1938
... Missouri." View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the FSA. Wrestling Matches My father attended wrestling matches ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/08/2008 - 7:06pm -

May 1938. "Wrestling match sponsored by American Legion. Sikeston, Missouri." View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the FSA. Wrestling MatchesMy father attended wrestling matches in my hometown in the 1930s. They were held in an amphitheater with stone seats. You could rent cushions at the gate for ten cents. When the crowd was displeased with a match, they would stand and throw their cushions into the ring. A "cushion wrangler" would dutifully gather up the tossed cushions so the match could continue. Sounds like fun! WWF.......... the early years. WrestlingAt first glance, to me, this photo was all about man vs. man, sweat and strength, a darkened arena, a haze of tobacco smoke and a bloodthirsty audience. But then, my eyes wandered to the referee and there's something about the look on his face that evokes Norman Rockwell. I don't know if it's the arch of his eyebrows, or the hint of a smile on his lips, or the contrast of his white "uniform" on the dark background, but he turned the whole mood around for me. This could just as well have been a Rockwell painting. On another note, does anyone know who the wrestlers are, and if they were "famous" or just local guys? My father fondly remembers going to wrestling matches when he was a boy in the mid-1940's, and some of those guys got pretty popular, it seems. Faux PalookaOne of my great-uncles was a traveling wrestler in the 1930s. He said it was fake even in those days. (The Gallery, Russell Lee, Sports)
Texas Gothic: 1939
... Texas." Boo, y'all! Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Oakland ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/02/2018 - 10:51am -

November 1939. "Old mansion in Comanche, Texas." Boo, y'all! Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Oakland HeightsAs a native of Comanche, Texas, I can say for certain that the house was named Oakland Heights, and was built before 1887 by a man named Dexter Walcott. (The street which ran in front of the house is still named Walcott Avenue.) A man named F. M. Browne added the Victorian decorations and additional stories a few years after. It stood on one of the tallest points in the town, befitting its name. The house was a showpiece in its early years, but fell into ruin as the family died out. (By the time of this photo, it may have been already vacant.) It was torn down as a derelict in the 1950s and replaced by a ranch-style home which stands on the site today, using the original house's foundation. Oakland Heights also served as the model for the cover of Richard Brautigan's novel "The Hawkline Monster," according to cover artist Wendell Minor. DetailsA lot of gingerbread on this house. And the brickwork on the chimney is fantastic! Vacation plansIs there perhaps a motel nearby? Check out timeApparently, the trees are leafing the mansion. I wonderThere is some lettering above the entrance on the far right. Any chance of seeing a closeup? [OAKLAND HEIGHTS, maybe. Or OAKLAWN. - Dave] I recognize the house!This is the Texas residence known as the old Addams place. Inhabited by a family of very exotic yet loving souls, it’s their southern vacation villa for use in hurricane season. Pan-dimensional, all of the windows face south to take advantage of looming storms. Room with a viewI want to be in that fourth-story cupola, sitting in a swivel chair. (The Gallery, Russell Lee)
Grainslinger: 1941
... Touchet, Walla Walla County, Washington." Photo by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. The Mystery ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/12/2020 - 7:09pm -

July 1941. "Sacked wheat being stored in warehouse. Touchet, Walla Walla County, Washington." Photo by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. The Mystery Man Strikes A-GrainThe man in the back left startled me. Interesting hat, too! No Gym Needed HereThis job gives him quite the workout! Hot workThat looks like a hot, dusty, scratchy, itchy job. Three-bushel weightI was so impressed by the sewn end of the grain sack that I found out the sack was generally made of jute, sewn shut with hemp twine. The weight of a three-bushel sack would be 120 pounds for oats, 150 for barley, and 180 for wheat. (The Gallery, Agriculture, Russell Lee)
Idaho Chief: 1941
... the FSA labor camp. Caldwell, Idaho." Acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Turn around, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/11/2021 - 5:39pm -

June 1941. "Filling station and store across the street from the FSA labor camp. Caldwell, Idaho." Acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Turn around, Bright EyesI can't find a building similar to the one pictured near any entrance, but the Caldwell labor camp is still around - just transformed. It was originally built in 1938 to house American farmers displaced by the Depression. WWII caused labor shortages, so the Bracero program brought folks to Caldwell from Mexico as farm workers to cultivate and pick sugar beets, hops, and potatoes. The Bracero program continued until 1964; then the camp housed Mexican-American workers. Today, it houses workers from Mexico on H-2A visas. Also during the war, interred Japanese Americans were allowed out of the camps for temporary farm work, and some stayed at Caldwell. The camp originally had a mix of 2 bedroom houses and single-room apartments. The houses were occupied year-round; the apartments were for seasonal workers. After the war, the government transferred the camp to the Caldwell Housing Authority. Today, it's known as Farmway Village. Not exactly the Piggly WigglyIt's hard to imagine that the groceries could have been very good there (as in, plentiful and of a wide range), but I bet it was nice to have a cold drink while you filled up. For archfan: the Japanese Americans were interned ... not interred. xo (The Gallery, Gas Stations, Russell Lee, Small Towns, Stores & Markets)
Take Five: 1938
... View full size. Medium format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. Hackberry Ramblers? So there ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/30/2008 - 12:04am -

October 1938. "Cajun orchestra for fais-do-do near Crowley, Louisiana. Having intermission with drinks." View full size. Medium format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. Hackberry Ramblers?So there have been a lot of posts of various musical groups from Crowley and even some other places around Cajun Country, and I've been wondering if any of them identified the artists. I suspect that one of the pictures may contain a picture of the Hackberry Ramblers, one of the most famous Cajun musical groups ever. I was recently at Festival International in Lafayette, Louisiana (Crowley is in the metro-area of Lafayette), and Luderin Darbone, lead fiddler of the Hackberry Ramblers, came out with the Lost Bayou Ramblers and told stories of his 95 years on this earth and how in 1935 his group was the first Cajun band to use electric instruments. I just wonder if one of the fiddlers shown in any of these photos is a young Luderin. Hackberry Ramblers?This group is not the Hackberry Ramblers, although some photos of them from that era do exist. All best, Ben Sandmel www.hackberryramblers.com Nice guitar!The fellow on the right side is playing a metal-bodied National Duolian resonator. You can tell by the "Frosted Duco" finish. (The Gallery, Music, Russell Lee)
Noogie Knights: 1941
... Motorcycle Club at your peril. 35mm acetate negative by Russell Lee. View full size. Big goon holding your arms How well I remember ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/14/2020 - 7:31am -

July 1941. "Roughhousing at Fourth of July picnic, Vale, Oregon." Mess with the boys of the Baker Motorcycle Club at your peril. 35mm acetate negative by Russell Lee. View full size. Big goon holding your armsHow well I remember those days -- Indian burn, Pink Belly Noogies, the joys of youth. One thing you learned how to do was to fist fight. After a while enough was enough. Polio Survivor?Young Mr. Petit is wearing a leg brace, perhaps related to polio. I could be wrong and would like to know further thoughts. Forever YoungThe only Petit boy in the Baker High School yearbook is Lawrence Petit, Class of 1938. Five years to the day after this photo was taken -- July 4, 1946 -- he was killed in a motorcycle crash when a tire blew and his bike went down an embankment. (The Gallery, July 4, Motorcycles, Russell Lee, Small Towns)
Indian Gas: 1940
... store in Tropic, Utah." Medium format acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Recycled ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/29/2018 - 3:58pm -

November 1940. "Main store in Tropic, Utah." Medium format acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Recycled roofingPart of the roof seems to be made from an old Firestone tires sign. Methane too!After you get gas, you need to wear your Let 'er Rip overalls. Never RipFrom the Ogden Standard (Ogden City, Utah), June 2, 1913. Looking to the FutureBy 1940, John Scowcroft, founder of Scowcroft and Company of Ogden, Utah, maker of Scowcroft Never Rip Overalls, had been dead for 38 years, and his great grandson Brent was already 15. Brent Scowcroft (still alive at 93 years old), would go on to achieve the rank of Lieutenant General in the USAF and serve as National Security Advisor to two Presidents. See Chapter 1: Junction City of The Strategist: Brent Scowcroft and the Call of National Security. (The Gallery, Gas Stations, Russell Lee, Stores & Markets)
Ghost Horse II
... Anthon, Iowa. View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee, Farm Security Administration. Ghost Horse Haunting. Absolutely ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/08/2011 - 9:33pm -

December 1936. Remains of horse that died of compaction [intestinal blockage] due to poor feed. William Butler's farm near Anthon, Iowa. View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee, Farm Security Administration. Ghost HorseHaunting. Absolutely haunting. (The Gallery, Agriculture, Horses, Rural America, Russell Lee)
Easter Parade: 1942
... for egg production on a scientific basis)." Photo by Russell Lee for the Office of War Information. View full size. George Tooker ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/04/2021 - 4:00pm -

January 1942. "Sonoma County, California. Eggs. (Poultry raising exclusively for egg production on a scientific basis)." Photo by Russell Lee for the Office of War Information. View full size. George TookerIf the eggs were people. Today I found out on Shorpy'sHow eggs were stored, transported and sold before they came up with those paper pulp egg boxes and egg trays. And the funny thing is we may be kinda headed back that way. Except these days they may be single peice origami style inlays. Egg candlingDuring production, eggs usually are candled to check their quality. Once the chickens are born they need to be "sexed", in order to separate the pullets from the cockerels. In 1947 in the Netherlands there had been opened a "sex school" in Barneveld where "certificated sexers".were educated. Nowadays there even are e-books about "How to Become a Chick Sexer." Odd soundWhenever someone says "egg" nobody says; "What?" Magic realismI was today years old when my consciousness was raised, thanks to Lectrogeek68, to the artist George Tooker. I am ashamed to say I had never heard of him but thrilled to admit that I could study his pictures for hours. In fact I may do that, just because I can. Magic realism ... now there's a concept I can both comprehend and wholeheartedly endorse. (The Gallery, Agriculture, Russell Lee)
Full Service: 1937
... here , here and here . Medium format negative by Russell Lee. View full size. Dual Fuel Was it common practice to have two ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/29/2016 - 11:59am -

July 1937. "Mayflower Accessories & Garage Co. service station, 17th and L streets N.W." The Washington, D.C., petroleum buffet previously seen here, here, here and here. Medium format negative by Russell Lee. View full size. Dual FuelWas it common practice to have two different companies supplying fuel to a station or were Amoco & Esso owned by one entity ? My '37 Packard hearse would have had plenty of room to be serviced here. The More the MerrierTry seven brands from twelve pumps at this Halensee, Germany station in 1930. re: Dual FuelESSO is a name created from the initials S. O., for Standard Oil. Amoco is a division of Standard Oil (or maybe it's the other way around). As a high schooler, I worked at a Standard Oil station that got rebranded as Amoco in the late 60's/early 70's while I worked there. Same oval/torch logo but they changed the lettering on it. Standard OilBoth brands were part of Standard Oil, Esso (Standard Oil of New Jersey) and Amoco (Standard Oil of Indiana). Unclear why they were sold side by side. Peek-A-BooThat's a 1937 Chevy truck peeking out from behind the building. Standard operating procedureAt the time that this picture was taken, Amoco was the retail gas station brand for the American Oil Company, which was partially owned by Standard Oil of Indiana. Esso was the retail gas brand for Standard Oil of New Jersey. The two Standards had been separate companies since the government break-up of Standard Oil in the early teens. The various Standards had regional rights to the "Standard" name, and so often used other marketing names or subsidiaries to expand beyond their territories. Thus, Amoco in Jersey Standard's territory - down the street might have been a Mobilgas station (Standard of New York). As to two brands at one station, that was unusual. This was a feature of California retailing. But D.C.? I'm not sure. (The Gallery, D.C., Gas Stations, Russell Lee)
Fair Beauty: 1940
... County Fair" in Colorado. 35mm Kodachrome transparency by Russell Lee, Farm Security Administration. View full size. Her Dress That is ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/08/2011 - 9:48pm -

October 1940. "Winner at the Delta County Fair" in Colorado. 35mm Kodachrome transparency by Russell Lee, Farm Security Administration. View full size. Her DressThat is probably a homespun dress, and look how well they have matched the pattern.... fabulous! (The Gallery, Pretty Girls, Rural America, Russell Lee)
Tex-Mex: 1939
... View full size. Medium-format safety negative by Russell Lee for the FSA. The Flop Robstown is where Texas Hold 'Em poker ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/16/2008 - 6:25pm -

February 1939. Robstown, Texas. Mexican boy playing guitar in room of corral. View full size. Medium-format safety negative by Russell Lee for the FSA. The FlopRobstown is where Texas Hold 'Em poker originated. Goober Pea Robin HoodI love the Robin Hood shirt he's wearing! 10 Years of ShorpyI lurked around this site for a couple months before "joining" ten years ago this week. My first comment came a couple months later, as evidenced here. You'd think a decade of clicking through old photos would result in a rueful accounting of wasted time, but I count the hours spent rummaging through this glorious archive as an investment in our collective history. The photos are curated with technical expertise, humor, and a sly topicality. The comments are often insightful and witty and the disagreements are usually settled with civility and thoughtfulness. I'm happy to be a citizen of this community and offer thanks to Team Shorpy for their efforts and persistence. Here's to ten more years! Goober Pea (The Gallery, Kids, Music, Russell Lee, Small Towns)
Beware of Duck: 1939
... Note feathered mascot. Medium-format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Resettlement Administration. View full size. Beware of ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/20/2012 - 10:26am -

March 1939. "House in Mexican section made of discarded airplane engine crates. San Antonio, Texas." Note feathered mascot. Medium-format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Resettlement Administration. View full size. Beware of Duck, Indeed!That's a muscovy. They've got claws, and they know how to use them. Mascot?I'm thinking maybe Dinner. Fowl CraftsmanshipThe home looks solid but I suspect there may be quacks in the foundation. Also the doorways appear too low, tall people may have to duck to enter. Sorry, Dave started it. And On it GoesDown-Wright comfy, except for the outdoor plumage. Crate ConstructionNot bad, considering the material worked with. Looks like a container of whitewash to the left, should be really something when done. Too bad vinyl siding hasn't been invented yet. Wright WhirlwindThe Wright Whirlwind was a family of air-cooled radial aircraft engines. They were produced by Wright Aeronautical, a direct descendent of the Wright brothers' original company. In 1939, they were producing 7- and 9-cylinder versions. The 9-cylinder version was also used for Sherman tanks in WWII. They also produced a 14-cylinder engine used in military prototypes, but they weren't produced commercially. That's too bad, because the crates for a 14-cylinder engine could have given them an extra room. Construction inspectionWoodstove chimney: Metal bushing at wall penetration check Height, minimum 2 feet above anything within 10 foot radius check Rain cap check Spark arrester check Foundation: Footing extends below frostline Probably does! ObservationDownton Abbey it's not. Frost Line?Dbell, this is San Antonio. The frost line is several hundred miles north! :-) Living in SA now, I really wonder where the "Mexican section" was. Considering the construction material, maybe near Stinson Field? Most likely near Kelly AFBAbout mid-way between the left edge of the house and the left edge of the door one of the boards in the upper half has what looks like "A. C. S. D. March Field". I'm fairly certain that's "Air Corps Supply Depot" (March Field is near Riverside, Ca). If so, those were crates for military engines. Stinson Field was still civilian in 1939, and Lackland AFB had not yet been built. That leaves Randolph, Kelly and Brooks AFBs as sources for the crates. Obviously, the source of the crates isn't necessarily near the location of the house, but it seems likely that it would be. In that case, we're left with Kelly and Brooks, as the area around Randolph would not have been described as the "Mexican section". The areas around Kelly and Brooks could, and probably would, have been so described, and I think the area around Kelly is the more likely one. (The Gallery, Russell Lee)
Cold Drinks: 1938
... state fair, Donaldsonville, Louisiana." 35mm negative by Russell Lee, Farm Security Administration. View full size. It likes you The ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/30/2015 - 8:46pm -

October 1938. "Ice at refreshment stand, state fair, Donaldsonville, Louisiana." 35mm negative by Russell Lee, Farm Security Administration. View full size. It likes youThe sight of that bottle always made me happy. And it wasn't the lady with bubbles, which was gone by my day. Maybe it was the green, maybe it was the magic number. [Another thing: If my circa 1963 childhood memory serves, it used to taste better. - Dave] Good for stomach miserySoda crackers and 7-Up: good for the upset stomach, at least back when I was kid. Mama's remedy. We Don't Know... where Mom is, but we've got "Pop" on ice! Stomach settling In the South, soda crackers and pop as a stomach remedy is still used: Three or four Saltines and a glass of either 7-Up or ginger ale. I still do it and I bet my granddaughters are dosed in that fashion, because my kids certainly were. Funny! Seems to work somehow and does no harm. 7-Up slogan & bottle -- fond memoriesI spent more hours in a bar at age 4 than I have in my entire adult life. My dad would stop at a friend's tavern and have a beer, and I would always have a 7-Up sitting next to him. I have to confess that exposure to this environment at such a tender age has resulted in my being somewhat of a lush in my senior years -- on average, I now consume one beer a month. The original pic is sure a great one; I remember as a kid drinking the 6-ounce Cokes from the old greenish "hoopskirt" style bottles. I certainly regret not taking a store owner up on the offer of "taking an old Coke machine" for free when I was about 16 years old. It was probably a Vendo Model 3. I wish I had the machine today! Barrel on the leftIs that Moxie? 7-Up and soda crackers makes bicarbonate of soda. Makes you burp and settles your stomach. Very relaxing...This was when 7-Up really did like you a lot - it contained lithium citrate, a mood stabilizer until 1948. I agree, DaveI bought a 6-pack of 7-Up recently. It tastes fizzy and very little citrus taste. It's nothing like it used to be. 1956 era here. Ice Bucket Challenge ???Looks like they already were ready for Ice Bucket Challenge ... Drinks on the left are...Delaware Punch (The Gallery, Russell Lee)
The Peanut Gallery: 1939
... None of these children had ever attended school." Photo by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Boy trouble ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/27/2018 - 10:48am -

June 1939. "Sons of day laborers in tent camp near Webbers Falls, Oklahoma. Some of their fathers were agricultural workers and some were dispossessed tenant farmers now on Works Progress Administration. The WPA work is holding many of these former tenant farmers in their communities, but they are all potential migrants. None of these children had ever attended school." Photo by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Boy troubleThe two on the far right are definitely trouble. Their grins are wicked funny! The thoughtful boy at the far left looks as though he might have gone on to invent something (definitely a bit of the dreamer). The boy next to him would go on to caring profession. The two in the middle are cooking up some kind of scheme to get candy. They look familiar...Except for the clothing, that could be our Cub Scout Wolf den. Boy second from the rightSeems to have his left foot on his right leg. Ear boxing?The boy on the left appears to have what I think is called "cauliflower ear" on both ears. Google tells me this is usually the result of blunt trauma - I wonder if having his ears boxed was the discipline of choice by his parents. (The Gallery, Dust Bowl, Kids, Russell Lee)
Lad of the Flies: 1939
... filth and vermin." Medium format acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Sad This ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/04/2018 - 10:18pm -

July 1939. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. "Children of May Avenue camp family in small shack used as sleeping quarters. Poverty-stricken inhabitants here dwell in squalor, filth and vermin." Medium format acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. SadThis is, without question, the saddest photo I've ever seen on this site. My heart breaks for these poor kids. Eyeball Bleach, PleaseMaybe a "Do Not Embiggen" warning, Dave? Unimaginable miseryCould these innocent babies even think about how uncomfortable their lives were or imagine a more pleasant existence. It was most likely the only life they ever knew. Even in his descriptions of the poorest of the poor, Steinbeck could not convey in words how dire their lives were. A picture speaks a thousand words is not just a saying. HeartbreakingThis picture brought tears to my eyes. So Very SadIt is almost incomprehensible to imagine such squalor in the United States. I feel so sorry for anyone of any age who has, or ever had, to live in conditions like this. I know things were bad at that time and I can only hope and pray that our citizens will never be subjected to conditions like this ever again. (The Gallery, Great Depression, Kids, OKC, Russell Lee)
Bunny Shrine: 1939
... Valentine's Day and the Dionne Quintuplets. Photo by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Keepers ... just southeast of I-35 and I-10. (The Gallery, Russell Lee) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/23/2018 - 3:41pm -

March 1939. "Decorations in corner of living room of Mexican house. San Antonio, Texas." An eclectic mix of religious and pop-culture iconography combining Jesus, Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, Valentine's Day and the Dionne Quintuplets. Photo by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. KeepersThis is a very interesting and varied collage of diverse items that apparently were of great importance to somebody and probably brought them personal happiness. Who are we to judge? Purr-fect Transportation!That's the C&O's Chessie the cat and her kittens under the Easter bunny on the right. The original "Wall"It looks a lot like my Facebook timeline. CalendarsAre they really, really, REALLY sure it's March? Spying San Antonio addressesI can make out business names and addresses: Elizondo Grocery Store at 1826 Nogalitos, and California Grocery & Market at 909 Ripford (which is, curiously, smack in the middle of a residential neighborhood). That would put this domicile in the neighborhood just southeast of I-35 and I-10. (The Gallery, Russell Lee)
The Roundup: 1940
... boom town near Shasta Dam." Medium format negative by Russell Lee. View full size. S.J. Can I assume the chili sandwich was the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/02/2019 - 7:21pm -

November 1940. "Restaurant and beer hall in Summit City, California, boom town near Shasta Dam." Medium format negative by Russell Lee. View full size. S.J.Can I assume the chili sandwich was the precursor to my beloved Sloppy Joe? Dream come trueWhat more could a guy want? Chili, beer, tobacco, candy, A/C, your picture taken for the future to examine, plus your reflection in the car door. Chili & SandwichesI could be mistaken but I believe the sign is meant to be read as Chili and also Sandwiches, not "Chili Sandwiches." Likewise they aren't advertising "Cigar Candies." On another note, according to the web, the Sloppy Joe was said to have originated when a cook named Joe at Floyd Angell's café in Sioux City, Iowa, added tomato sauce to his “loose meat" sandwiches. "Air Cooled"IIRC, that does not mean "air conditioned". Shasta Lake, CaliforniaSummit City was one of five communities which sprang up to accommodate the workers on the vast Shasta Dam project. The others were Central Valley, Toyon, Project City, and Pine Grove. Afterward the conglomeration became Central Valley, then the name was changed to Shasta Lake. It is now incorporated with a population of over 10,000. I'm guessing the car is a 1937 Nash. Air cooledClearly means, "We'll leave the door open on a windy day". And nowI need a chili sandwich. With an ice cold drink. If I'm lucky, Sheriff Longmire will show up all the way from Absaroka County, Wyoming (without a cell phone), thirsty for a Rainier. (The Gallery, Eateries & Bars, Russell Lee)
The Swimming Lesson: 1942
... in swimming lesson." Medium format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Office of War Information. View full size. Effective ... thoughts as a pre-adolescent. (The Gallery, Kids, Russell Lee, Swimming) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 11/03/2020 - 1:01pm -

July 1942. "Rupert, Idaho. Schoolboys in swimming lesson." Medium format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Office of War Information. View full size. Effective Education MethodIf they had used this in algebra, I could have been a mathematician. Good memoriesI took swimming lessons for many years as a young’un. How well I remember being in the position of those lads, holding on to the edge of the pool, looking up at the (usually) woman instructor, hanging on her every word, sometimes having confused and marvelous thoughts as a pre-adolescent. (The Gallery, Kids, Russell Lee, Swimming)
The Cola Garden: 1941
... in Negro section of Chicago, Illinois." Photographer Russell Lee's exploration of the South Side enclave known as Bronzeville continues with ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/26/2018 - 9:16pm -

April 1941. "Scene in Negro section of Chicago, Illinois." Photographer Russell Lee's exploration of the South Side enclave known as Bronzeville continues with this stop at a garden plot fenced by Coca-Cola signs. View full size. Urban outhouse?Should there be a crescent moon carved into the door of that tiny structure? Is it really what it looks like? Or is it a simple garden shed? [The two small vestibules are doorways into the house. - Dave] WishingI wish we could see some of these buildings in their new state. So many photos after they have lost their glory, but few when they are in good repair. Bee in BackIn the background is the landmarked Chicago Bee Building. RamshackleThis gives real visual meaning to the term. (The Gallery, Chicago, Russell Lee)
No Refills: 1939
... Bayou, Mississippi." Ballad of the sad pharmacy. Photo by Russell Lee, Farm Security Administration. View full size. Wow A hand-split ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/05/2013 - 3:36am -

January 1939. "Vacant drugstore. Mound Bayou, Mississippi." Ballad of the sad pharmacy. Photo by Russell Lee, Farm Security Administration. View full size. WowA hand-split shingle roof, don't see too many of them these days. Why Was It So Unusual?Selling Hollingsworth's Candies. Maybe this is why Green & Thomas went out of business. Sign Painter, Drugs and GasolineIt says "Wallis 11-26-29" under the drugstore sign. Wallis was probably the sign painter and he did his artwork in November 1929, 10 years earlier. Also the three columns might have supported a portico. Was the building a gasoline station before it was a drug store? Ten years afterThe sign painter's tag shows 1929, and the photo 1939. Between the brick posts appear to be gas pump mounts. Apparently the addition of fuel sales couldn't help this establishment. Probably should have called out the sign painter to update up that sign. Unusual Candies!I've never heard of Hollingsworth Candies, but here's the back of one of their candy boxes (found via Google) describing what's inside. Evidently they were located in Augusta, Georgia. The grand-daughter of the founder posted on the site where I found the box image, and another relative of a long-time employee there stated she had the company recipe book. Pretty nifty in case you crave a Crispette! That is such an interesting photo; the front door appears to be open, and I can't imagine what the purpose of those three bricked columns was. Could gas pumps have been between them? Looks like something was. Out on Old Hwy 61Mound Bayou is oldest all-black town in U.S., founded in 1887 by ex-slaves from a local plantation. More info here. Sole OwnerAs such, alas, B.A. Green cannot blame an unimaginative board of directors or a peculating CFO for the demise of his business. (The Gallery, Russell Lee, Stores & Markets)
The Snowville Seven: 1940
... Snowville, Utah." Medium format acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. There she is ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/14/2020 - 5:58pm -

August 1940. "Mormon farm family. Snowville, Utah." Medium format acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. There she isThe little girl from Pride of Plates, who was putting away dishes in the grubby kitchen! She's still wearing those awful socks and so is her sister. Maybe that's all they had. She's very cute (though she has her mother's nose.) She also seems to be the one with the most personality. All the other children look a little subdued. I wonder if any of them are yet living. [Not after they read this! - Dave] The Story in the ShoesTheir footwear tells the story of the photo shoot. The farmer and his son clearly work outdoors, and so does the mother, oftentimes. The little girl on Daddy's lap followed them outside. They came indoors for the photos. The two sisters on the left stayed in the house, cleaning and minding the baby. Elementary. Bloomin'!Are those bloomers peeking out from under Mother's dress? Temple GarmentsIt looks like you can barely make out the temple garments that the wife is wearing under her dress. She and her husband probably had a celestial marriage in the nearest Mormon Temple which would require them to undergo the endowment ceremony. After that they are required to wear their temple garments at all times. I first saw them when I was in the army. There was a soldier from the almost entirely Mormon town of Fredonia in Arizona that wore them and sort of explained what they were when other soldiers asked. I know I misspelled Mormonin my previous comment. Maybe I'll have a chance to correct it! [Not to mention "misspelled." - Dave] Ouch! Faces Full of CharacterAnd kindness, too. I don't see any evidence of poverty, as reflected in their socks and shoes. They're merely practicing thrift: "Use it up, wear it out", etc. The kids all have chores, either inside or outside of the house. The family looks happy and contented. Looking at their photo in their immaculate house, I rather envy them. Good character outclasses a Hollywood nose every time. We're Younger Than We LookGoing by the ages of the children, and the usual practice of marrying quite young in that era, the parents are probably not much older than early 30s. A hard, yet contented life, no doubt. The children have classic good looks, most would be in their 90s now - wonder how many still alive? (The Gallery, Agriculture, Kids, Russell Lee)
Family Car: 1939
... during the Depression. Medium-format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Resettlement Administration. View full size. Bling The ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/16/2013 - 12:56pm -

February 1939. "White migrant and wife repairing clutch in their car near Harlingen, Texas." On the road during the Depression. Medium-format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Resettlement Administration. View full size. BlingThe car's about to fall apart, yet check out the fanciful mudflap. Anyone know if it was original to this model car? In the clutchYup, that's a clutch job alright, note the transmission on the ground on the right side of the car. Nice that you could take the floor panels up and work from the top! Roadside repairs.Wow. I guess that's about the bare minimum you can have left of a car and still drive it. I see the pedals and shift lever off in the dirt to the right. And the little boy behind the fender will tug at your heart. The toughest of times. How embarrassingThis guy's left taillight is out! Model A?Somebody might be able to ID dash/gauges, and or rear bumper to verify as an "A." Note the broken driver's door glass (plate glass - non safety). Windshield looks very Model A'ish, although most of the vehicles of this age group looked similar in shape. Daddy FrankFrom the Merle Haggard song "Daddy Frank": Home was just a camp along the highway; A pick-up bed was where we bedded down. Don't ever once remember going hungry, But I remember mama cooking on the ground. I'd say 90 to 1 that mud flap was an accessory from the jalopy period of the car - on the way to beater and then junker. Don't see much in the way of tail lights either. They were some tough folks on their way to what they hoped would be a better life. God bless them. Not a Model ADash and gas tank are wrong. Model A had a sort of diamond shape instrument panel, wider horizontally than vertically. Its gas tank was between the dash and the firewall (no fuel pump - gravity feed to the carb). I don't know what it really is, though. Looking at the bright sidePlenty of room for a GPS in that baby. Dash it all!I could not find a matching dash in 1920s-1930s cars among the interior pictures I could find easily. About the closest was a 1930-31 Chevy, but it wasn't exact, and the gas filler cap was on the left side rather than the right. For what it's worth, I think this car started life as a fairly high class two door of some sort. The odometer on this one reads 56K+ miles. [Incorrect. See above. - Dave] See that?Note the plate glass drivers window -- ready to cut yer arm at a moments notice! Based on comments below, this car is around eight years old. It was a hard eight years. [Older than that, I think. Mid to late 1920s. - Dave] Miles Per HourNot 56k. That's the speedometer -- 55, 60, 65 mph. The odometer is below that, 84-something miles. Jeweled Mud FlapI found a set of antique jeweled mud flaps on eBay that are exactly like the one shown on the left rear fender on that old jalopy. Notice that two jewels are missing from the stars on the mud flap in the old photo. 1930 DesotoI think this is a Desoto of around 1930.. Designed to be self-repairableMost cars of this era were designed to be easily repairable. Our Model A had a similar layout. In less than 10 minutes, you could remove the front seats and toss them in the back, as these folks have, remove the floorboards (and they were actually "boards") and have at it. Transmissions were small and light (no Synchromesh in those days, and parts were far enough apart to allow the use of open-ended wrenches, so a roadside repair, while grimy, would be possible and not that time-consuming. Similarly, the old L-head four-cylinder engines (at least the Fords) could be almost totally rebuilt without even removing them from the chassis. Almost every problem we've had with our Ford has been resolved after a few minutes of head scratching and a turn or two of a wrench (and then a longer time spent cleaning grease from our fingernails). Parts and Pieces of a PontiacThe 1928 Pontiacs were made in series 6-28 from December 1927 through June 1928 with approximately 130,000 made. Because of the long doors shown, I believe this to be a 2 Door Sedan (5 passenger) Model 8240 which was Pontiac's most popular as well as least expensive model at $745. There was a "New" 6-28 series of Pontiac models that was introduced in June 1928, but these had metal trim around the dashboards and were designated as 1929 models. On the left on the dashboard is the light switch (On, Dim, Off, Park) above the hole for the ignition key. To the right is the speedometer above the odometer and trip meter. In the center is the fuel gauge, and farther to the right is the ammeter (amp meter) above the oil pressure gauge. At the far right are the choke and windshield wiper controls. There was indirect illumination of all gauges. Above the windshield is the crank handle to open (raise) the Fisher VV Windshield (VV = vision and ventilation). The windshield could raise about three inches to allow more air into the passenger compartment. This was the first year for standard 4-wheel brakes on Pontiacs, and Pontiac had General Motors' lowest price 6 cylinder model until the Chevy 6 was introduced the next year. The fuel tank held only 11 gallons. The ribbed Corduroy upholstery on the seats was the standard interior cloth. Accessories available included bumpers, Lovejoy shock absorbers, and a heater. I could not easily find a 1928 dashboard photo for the 1928 6-28 series Pontiac, so a later 1929 6-28 series dashboard is shown that has the metal trim. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Great Depression, Kids, Russell Lee)
War Games: 1941
... amusement center, San Diego." Medium format negative by Russell Lee. View full size. Belmont Park Last time I was by, the bumper ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/04/2018 - 2:52pm -

May 1941. "Marines riding the electric automobiles at Mission Beach amusement center, San Diego." Medium format negative by Russell Lee. View full size. Belmont ParkLast time I was by, the bumper cars were still operating. They even have some of the old cars like these on display. As always, Shorpy is the absolute best website. Electric automobiles?We called ‘em bumper cars. When Words Collide"Bumper car" must be a regional thing: In Indiana, we call them "dodge-em" cars. Maybe be a brand name or trademark. As a child, I did not understand the concept behind this ride. I was taking my first ride and driving sooo carefully, the first guy who ran into me, got a really dirty look. I learned. Infamy is nighEnjoy it while you can, boys. For the next seven months. One of My FavoritesBumper cars were always one of my favorites at the state fair or amusement parks when I was a kid. The curved electric contacts on the ceiling, throwing off an occasional spark was a real plus. Adding to the drama, I thought I would get toasted by electricity if I stepped out of a car when they were running. I'm glad these Marines were having a good time, they had a tough future ahead of them. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Russell Lee)
Too Much Excitement: 1941
... July parade." View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee. What a sweet photo! What a sweet photo! Does my heart good. Mr. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/09/2008 - 9:14pm -

1941. At the picnic grounds in Vale, Oregon. "Interlude, after watching the Fourth of July parade." View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee. What a sweet photo!What a sweet photo! Does my heart good. Mr. and Mrs.A well dressed and sweet looking couple. Look at the shine on his shoes, and how neatly they are placed. I wonder what color her dress and hat are? I pictured them navy blue. She's got her hanky and is keeping her hat safe. He's got some wild socks! Big love......for this picture! I adore it! (Oh, and come to think of it, my grandfather wore wild socks like this! They seemed almost to be opaque nylon between the stripes.) (The Gallery, July 4, Russell Lee, Small Towns)
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