These 12 Candid Photos Show What Life Was Like In Iowa In The 1940s
By Kim Magaraci|Published March 09, 2019
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
The history of Iowa is fascinating. While most Iowans now live in cities, there’s no denying the rural roots to our great farming state. Take a look at how Iowa’s cities and farm towns looked back in the 1940s, when everyone was still recovering from the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
Back in the early 1940s, there was a big difference between city life and farm life. Des Moines was vibrant and busy thanks to economic recovery efforts.
In Dubuque, residents still recovering from the Depression maintained shantytowns and kept just a few chickens for meat and eggs. The "wealthiest" shantytown residents had a cow, or some goats as well.
In town, men lined up every evening to pick up a meal for themselves, or for their families. Churches and government programs helped people get back on their feet after a decade of economic struggle.
The Farm Security Administration lent money to farmers, allowing them to continue working their land. This borrower in Story, Iowa, was able to keep her family fed thanks to the program.
Many Iowans had to find work doing various odd jobs during the depression, and turned these jobs into new opportunity. Here, two men show off their skills painting signs in Ames.
Thanks to an improving economy and the New Deal, Iowans were optimistic in the 40s! This dance hall in Marshalltown was always busy on a Saturday night.
Dubuque is a city that's older than the state of Iowa itself, and it was a popular residential city and tourist town as far back as anyone can remember.
