Post-Depression Rural America in Rare Color Photos

By Simon Saavedra, Christian Post Correspondent
Monday, July 11, 2011

These expressive photos thought to be taken during the Post Depression Era and World War II are rare color photos taken by photographers working for the United States Farm Security Administration and the Office of War Information.

These pictures mostly depict life outside the metropolitan areas, focusing on farms, factories, military training and women labor.

Answering the nation's need for womanpower, Mrs. Virginia Davis made arrangement for the care of her two children during the day and joined her husband at work in the Naval Air Base, Corpus Christi, Texas. — Answering the nation's need for womanpower, Mrs. Virginia Davis made arrangement for the care of her two children during the day and joined her husband at work in the Naval Air Base, Corpus Christi, Texas. | (Source: US Library of Congress)

School children singing, Pie Town, New Mexico 1940 Oct. — School children singing, Pie Town, New Mexico 1940 Oct. | (Source: US Library of Congress)

Jack Whinery, homesteader, and his family, Pie Town, New Mexico — Jack Whinery, homesteader, and his family, Pie Town, New Mexico | (Source: US Library of Congress)

General view of a classification yard at C & NW RR's Proviso yard, Chicago, Ill. — General view of a classification yard at C & NW RR's Proviso yard, Chicago, Ill. | (Source: US Library of Congress)

Smokestack 1942 — Smokestack 1942 | (Source: US Library of Congress)

Photograph shows store or cafe with soft drink signs. Diamond-shaped sign: Fresh Orange-Crush'; above it: Relax and enjoy Royal Crown Cola. — Photograph shows store or cafe with soft drink signs. Diamond-shaped sign: Fresh Orange-Crush"; above it: Relax and enjoy Royal Crown Cola. | (Source: US Library of Congress)

Day laborers cultivating the land, near Clarksdale, Miss. 1939 Nov. — Day laborers cultivating the land, near Clarksdale, Miss. 1939 Nov. | (Source: US Library of Congress)

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