Iowa Train

Awaiting a freight train's departure in Iowa, 1940.

Photo by John Vachon. [American Memory link]

Bows & Arrows

Playing with bows and arrows, by the railroad yard. Iowa, 1940.

Photo by John Vachon. [American Memory link]

Horses Are Smelly, Too

In 1940 Iowa, corn got planted with the aid of farm animals - which required constant feeding and care. If your horses fell ill, your family's food supply might be threatened. Dire consequences lurked around every corner - which is why farm folk tend to be cautious and conservative.

Photo by John Vachon. [American Memory link]

Telecommunication

A telephone, with a telephone book. Iowa, 1940.

Oh, for the good old days - in which one bent over, speaking into the microphone as best one could, while holding the other part to one's ear.

Awesome how much things have changed during the past 69 years.

Photo by John Vachon. [American Memory link]