After the stock market crashed in October of 1929, the United States faced its most economically difficult years. The state of Ohio was especially hurt. By 1932, Ohio’s unemployment rate reached 37.3 percent. The following collection of photos showcase the life and landscape of Ohio during the Great Depression— and serve to remind us of all that we have to be thankful for today.

1. "Typical squalid homes"
Library of Congress/Carl Mydans/LC-USF33-T01-000328
Hamilton County, December 1935
2. Cincinnati neighborhood
Library of Congress/Carl Mydans/LC-USF347-002765
Cincinnati, December 1935
3. "Rehabilitation client's wife"
Library of Congress/ Theodor Jung/LC-DIG-fsa-8a14199
Jackson County, April 1936
4. The most common source of water supply
Library of Congress/Theodor Jung/LC-USF33-004115
Jackson, April 1936
5. "Street scene, Sunday afternoon"
Library of Congress/Theodor Jung/LC-DIG-fsa-8a14280
Jackson, April 1936
6. An 83-year-old settler to be resettled, near Chillicothe
Library of Congress/Theodor Jung/LC-USF33-004139
Chillicothe, April 1936
7. Part of a family of 10 to be resettled on the Ross-Hocking Land Project near Chillicothe
Library of Congress/Theodor Jung/LC-USF33-004142
Chillicothe, April 1936
8. Workmen going home from work in Greenhills
Library of Congress/Russell Lee/LC-USF34-010240
Greenhills, February 1937
9. Gas station and gospel mission in Cleveland
Library of Congress/John Vachon/LC-USF34-015614
Cleveland, August 1937
10. Eshelman's feed mill in Circleville
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-USF33-006406
Circleville, 1938

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11. Main and Court Streets in Circleville
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-USF3301-006415
Circleville, 1938
12. Dwellers of Circleville's "Hooverville"
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-USF33-006576
Circleville, 1938
13. Child playing in Circelville's "Hooverville"
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-DIG-fsa-8a18464
Circleville, 1938
14. William A. Swift, a farmer before he became a resident of Circleville's "Hooverville."
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-DIG-ppmsca-15603
The photographer writes: "When he returned from the war he went West. 'Made awful good money jobbin' around.' "
15. Men sitting on a bench in Springfield
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-USF3301-006419
Springfield, 1938
16. The Thaxton family, near Mechanicsburg
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-USF3301-006467
Mechanicsburg, 1938
17. Saturday afternoon in London, "the other side of the tracks"
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-DIG-fsa-8a18003
London, 1938
18. World War Veterans' homecoming and carnival in London
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-USF3301-006476
1938, London
19. Bus station in Marion
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-DIG-fsa-8a18302
Marion, 1938
20. Scene at Buckeye Lake Amusement Park
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-USF33-006597
Columbus, 1938
21. Main Street in Lancaster
Library of Congress/Ben Shahn/LC-USF3301-006390
Lancaster, August 1938

What do you know about the Great Depression in Ohio? We would love to hear any stories you might have to share. Please feel free to pass along your thoughts and stories in the comments below.

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