13 Historic Photos That Show Us What It Was Like Living In Texas In The Early 1900s
By Katie Lawrence|Published August 12, 2021
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Have you ever taken a few hours to sit down and look at old family photos, reminiscing on simpler times? It’s a nostalgic, almost therapeutic activity, bringing back cherished memories that last a lifetime. The same can be said for historic photographs of our state – though most of us weren’t around when they were taken, viewing them is like taking a step back in time and experiencing all the trials and tribulations for ourselves. These 13 photos showcase what life was like in Texas in the mid-1930s, shortly after the Great Depression.
1. April, 1936. A foreboding dust storm engulfs the roadway in the Texas Panhandle. Can you imagine what the poor driver of this car was thinking?
2. September, 1936. A family stops to repair a tire between Dallas and Austin en route to the Arkansas Delta from their home in South Texas. With no money and just three gallons of gas in the tank, they are journeying to find work in the cotton fields.
4. July, 1937. The town square of Memphis, Texas on a summer day. The town still only has a population of around 2,000, so it probably doesn't look much different!
9. July, 1938. An early look at the McLennan County Courthouse in Waco, established in 1901. The building still stands today, looking as pristine as ever.
12. March, 1939. This miniature golf course in McAllen sure looks like a fun place for a family outing. It's much simpler than the mini-golf courses of today, but there's great beauty in simplicity.
13. The office of the Cameron County Tax Assessor and Collector. We'll take a wild guess and say this building wasn't very well-liked by residents of the area!
Which one of these historic photos of Texas is your favorite? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section, then check out our previous article for more old pictures taken in the Lone Star State.
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