What Every Small Town In Arkansas Had In The 1930s. It Was A Simpler Time.

Arkansas residents struggled to survive during the 1930s. Times were definitely hard, but the quality of life was much more simple than the fast-paced society we live in today. These pictures from that decade show that both leisure time and hard labor was a part of every small town around the Natural State.

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Russell Lee took this October 1938 photograph of a store front in Altheimer. General stores were a usual sight in the 1930s.

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This female cotton field worker, photographed by Russell Lee in September 1938, had a job that many others of that decade knew very well. Human hands instead of machines were employed in the cotton fields.

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Not everyone had a fancy electric washing machine, but surely everyone had a washbin to collect water. Russell Lee took this picture of an Arkansas farm wife washing clothes in September 1938.

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Livestock was an integral part of the household in many rural Arkansas towns during the 1930s. Photographer Ben Shahn photographed this Boone County farmer in October 1935.

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The interior of this canning kitchen in Johnston County, Arkansas was taken in August 1935 by Arthur Rothstein.

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Wagons were the main transport to haul heavy loads, and they were everywhere around Arkansas in the 1930s. Ben Shahn took this picture of Pulaski County cotton workers in October 1935.

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Carl Mydans took this June 1936 photograph of a Batesville woman and child with a bevy of goods from a canning kitchen.

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Hats and caps were simply worn more often in those days. Carl Mydans took this photograph of Batesville men in hats in June 1936.

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In addition to all the other knick knacks around houses in the 1930s, you're sure to find a washboard somewhere. Ben Shahn took this photograph of a Boone County family in October 1935.

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Even today you'll still find clothes set aside for a formal Sunday gathering in Arkansas. Ben Shahn took this photograph on a Sunday in Little Rock in October 1935.

By viewing these photos, we get a better understanding of how life was in those days. The 1930s were not an easy time to live, but the strength and perseverance of Arkansas residents in those days showed future generations how to work hard and appreciate whatever luxury life can give you.