Pineapple Express

Taken on a pineapple plantation in 1942 Puerto Rico.

Photo by Jack Delano. [American Memory link]

To the Rescue

A highschool in New York city, 1942. Students devoted one day a week of their English class to "war activities." Here they're learning/practicing first aid.

Photo by William Perlitch. [American Memory link]

Dust Farm

This is an awesome shot. The farm boy overcome by the blowing dust, his posture of defeat, the forlorn outbuilding in the background.

Taken by Arthur Rothstein in 1936 Oklahoma. [American Memory link]

Homemade

The caption accompanying this photo says it all: "Farm children playing on homemade merry-go-round. Williams County, North Dakota."

Photo by Russell Lee, 1937. [American Memory link]

Refuge

Before there were fallout shelters, there were storm cellars - such as this one on the West Texas Panhandle.

Photo by Dorothea Lange, 1937. [American Memory link]

Parachute

Student pilots learn about parachutes in Forth Worth, Texas. 1942. I love the billowy, marshmallowy softness.

Photo by Arthur Rothstein. [American Memory link]

Cocktails

1939 luxury. Identified as the former president of the Gillette razor blade company, this gent is relaxing in his Miami Beach in-home cocktail bar.

Photo by Marian Post Wolcott. [American Memory link]

Washing Dishes

Mrs. M. LaBlanc washing dishes in her Louisiana home, 1938.

Photo by Russell Lee. [American Memory link]

Farmer's Daughter

The daugher of an Idaho farmer with puppies (click image for larger version).

Photo by Arthur Rothstein, 1936. [American Memory link]

Casablanca

President Roosevelt reviews American troops in Casablanca, Morocco. January 1943.

Photographer not identified. [American Memory link]

Farmhouse Flood

The living room of an Indiana farmhouse, after a 1937 flood.

Photo by Russell Lee. [American Memory link]

For Sale

A team of horses is auctioned off in 1937 Indiana. (For a larger view, click the image.)

Photo by Russell Lee. [American Memory link]

Donuts

Military fighter aircraft tires being packaged at the Goodyear plant in Akron, Ohio. There's a lovely contrast here between the belly-button roundness of the tires and the crisp angles of the boxes.

Photo by Alfred T. Palmer, 1941. [American Memory link]

Baby Powder

During World War II, every available bit of metal was needed for armaments, aircraft, jeeps and other equipment. Beer was once again sold in glass bottles rather than cans, and civilian manufacturers devised new fibre packaging.

Photo by William Perlitch, 1942. [American Memory link]

Wool Into Blankets

I love the light and the shadows in this photo. Maclovia Lopez, the wife of the mayor of a New Mexico town, spins wool sheered from her ten sheep so that it may later be woven into blankets.

Photo by John Collier, 1943. [American Memory link]

Firefighter

A Washington, D.C. firefighter takes a shower after returning from a call. Note the long scar on his arm.

Photo by Gordon Parks, 1943. [American Memory link]

Cat Cuddle

The son of a rancher in New Mexico's Rocky Mountains has a feline moment.

Photo by John Collier, 1943. [American Memory link]

On the Lookout

Identified as Barbara Mortensen, this woman was a fire and aircraft lookout on Pine Mountain in New Hampshire during World War II. Her job involved carrying firewood up 56 steps. Notes elsewhere explain that her husband, a ski champion, was away serving as a machinist's mate in the U.S. Navy.

Photo by John Collier, 1943. [American Memory link]

Tin Town

I'm not sure why, but the first thing I notice in this photo is the bare feet. And the canned vegetables under the bed. The photo caption reads: "Family on relief living in Tin Town, Caruthersville, Missouri."

Taken by Russell Lee in 1938. [American Memory link]

Blacksmith Digs

The building in this lovely, moody shot belongs to the blacksmith (and was otherwise known as "the forge"). Reedsville, West Virginia, 1936.

Photo by Edwin Locke. [American Memory link]

General Store

A well-stocked general store in 1936 West Virginia. Photo by Edwin Locke.

[American Memory link]

Wooden Beauties

Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version of these houses in Atlanta, Georgia in 1938.

Photo by John Vachon. [American Memory link]

Milk Man

There are at least five photos in this charming series. A woman pours milk and a man drinks it.

1942, New Jersey. Photo by John Collier. [American Memory link]

Field of Beans

This series of photographs depicts migrant workers - some of whom are children - bringing in the bean crop. Workers headed for the fields at 5:30 am.

New Jersey, 1942. Photo by John Collier. [American Memory link]

Baking Biscuits

No caption accompanies this photo, but based on the before and after images, it appears that biscuits are being made here.

Date, location and photographer are uncertain. [American Memory link]