1930s USA - 38 Photos of the Great Depression in America (Colorized)

Imagine losing everything you've ever worked for in the blink of an eye. That's what life was like for millions of Americans during the Great Depression. But despite the unimaginable struggles they faced, they found ways to persevere and come together as a community. Join me as we explore the story of one of the darkest periods in American history and the lessons it holds for today.

This video contains a collection of 1930s Depression Era photos, which have all been carefully colorized and enhanced to help bring the past to life. The colorization process isn't perfect - but today's technology has made great strides.

I hope you enjoy this view back into America's past.

Thanks for watching!

- Kevin

#1930s #greatdepression #nostalgia

0:00 Introduction
0:14 New York Stock Exchange 1929
0:50 New York City Docks 1935
1:14 Leaving South Dakota 1936
1:50 New York City 1936
2:26 Central Park, New York City 1933
2:38 Manhattan 1932
3:02 Chandler, Arizona 1940
3:26 Winter Haven, Florida 1937
4:14 Hamilton County, Ohio 1935
4:38 Elm Grove, Oklahoma 1936
5:50 Malheur County, Oregon 1939
6:14 Yakima Valley, Washington 1936
6:26 Pulaski County, Arkansas 1935
6:38 California, 1939
7:26 Tupelo, Mississippi 1935

[justdoingitjim]

My parents grew up during the depression. Mom died at an early age and dad had a hard time raising 3 boys by himself. We were poor, but I didn't even realize it until a kid from school came to my house one day and saw how we were living. I just thought everyone took a bath in a 55 gallon drum, heated all day by the sun. I started working for a framing contractor as a carpenter's helper at age 11 to help dad with the bills. I hunted with my dad's old single shot shotgun and kept meat on our table with squirrels, rabbits, ducks and an occasional deer. Dad knew I was shooting game out of season, but never said anything because I was helping to feed the family. We only had the one shotgun, so I did all the hunting. But, all 3 of us boys fished and that helped too. We didn't dig worms for bait, because we always had lots of grasshoppers. Plus we could freeze the grasshoppers for bait during the winter. They didn't take up much room. I didn't buy my first hunting license until I was 13 or 14. It was only .25 cents. I only bought it because the game warden caught me hunting and said he wouldn't give me a $25 dollar ticket if I went right then and bought a license and brought it back to show him. I borrowed a quarter from a friend who lived across the street from the country store and that's where I bought my license. I never had enough money to buy a whole box of shotgun shells, so the store owner would sell them individually to me for a nickel each. I never missed. Several times the store owner wanted a rabbit or duck and would give me four shells if I got him a critter. I always got him what he wanted and had three 'free' shells left for myself. We would pick up soda bottles in the road ditches and sell them at the store for a nickel. Then we found out that the store about 3 miles down the road was buying them for .07 cents. I'd save up my bottles and load up the baskets on my bicycle and ride to the other store to sell my bottles. We found out we could sell some beer bottles back to an old bar down in the woods. They only took certain ones and we never found too many, so we didn't make much money that way. I saved some money and got an old 1956 bolt action, single shot .22 rifle for $8 dollars. I could buy a box of 50 .22 bullets for .50 cents, so I quit using the shotgun. I did all my hunting with that old .22 rifle after that. I just now turned around and looked over at that old Remington Scoremaster 511, .22 rifle standing in the corner next to the door. Yep, I still have it and it still works fine. It does have a 3x9 scope on it now though, because my old eyes aren't what they used to be. But, I can still make a head shot on a squirrel at 50 feet and I think for a 70 year old man that's half blind, that's not half bad.

[retiredcolonel]

My parents were Depression Era children. My mother’s family were small holding farmers. She said they didn’t notice the Great Depression because they were poor and everyone in that area of Western Arkansas were poor too. She always was very thrifty. She could squeeze a dime until it hollered. She never trusted banks and when she died I discovered she had money stuff in hide away places. Both my parents were 100% self reliant: Dad repaired everything himself from roof to plumbing and cars, never paid another man to take care of his. Mom insisted on a garden and repaired clothes. They never had debt. They paid cash and saved until they could afford something. My dad would “trade” cars. Take a heap. Rebuild it and trade it for something better. Living beyond your means is the most stupid thing I see in the current generation.

[raptorsan]

I'm 50 you can tell our parents were raised by Great Depression era parents. The things we were taught growing up. Eat everything on your plate...don't waste anything...greatfulness for what you have

[bobpoland]

My Great Great Grandmother was born in 1864 during the civil war she lived to be 103 years old I was 7 when she died but I remember her well even today. She would talk about life growing up during reconstruction, the depression of the 1880s, WW1, the 1930s depression, WW2 ect ect. We are so soft and spoiled now a days that its almost disgusting to hear people complain "how bad" it is !

[pines]

These poor, resilient, children you see in this video are some of the same of many that won WW2 for Us. “Hard times make tough people”

[electroncraz]

This is a great reminder for the things we take for granted in America. I live and hope for everyday that this does not happen again and I am thankful for the ones that had to endure it and survive it for us.

[SilentWatcher]

My parents were born during the depression. My grandparents lost their Iowa home. People survived by being resourceful, gardens, canning, patches, and detemination. When i was a kid, I used to talk with my grandparents about living thru that era and those conversations always stuck with me. Perhaps that has something to do with why I live rural, gardens, orchard, canning, and raising chickens and a few animals while i worked my career. I've always felt that something like the Great Depression would happen again and I wanted to make sure my wife and kids, , , and now grandkids, were taken care of. If anything, they ate healthy and learned 'the ways' of self sufficiency. Those traditions must be passed on. I'm retired now, but still living rural, still doing those same things, and still enjoy the fruits of my labors.

[carlbowles]

My parents and grandparents survived the great depression. We are better off than we think.

[MelvinJ]

Tough people going through tough times.

[trishexploring]

I don't know who colorized and cleared up these photos but they did an AMAZING job!👏👏👏

[jamescolvin]

My Dad and Mom were both born in 1923. They had no money, funny I never heard them talk about the depression. They are both gone now, I wish I would have asked them more about it.

[aprilsalava]

My parents grew up during the depression. My mother came from a family of eight kids and after the last one was born my Grandmother died. That baby boy was adopted out to a relative to raise because my Grandfather a bricklayer had a hard time feeding the kids he already had. They had a garden and bees and my Grandfather made wine in the bathtub but they didn’t have a lot. My father grew up on a farm so they didn’t have much but always had plenty of food to eat and my father always seemed to know how to fix things. I too wish I had asked them more questions about their childhood.

[philhand]

My dear dad was born in Tyrone, OK in 1908, went all the way through the Great Depression near Newton, KS. Migrated to Oregon State in the 30s, where I was born in 1946... Very thankful for my dad...

[markgoostree]

In that last picture. The five kids, with mom and dad. The mom looks so... totally... stressed. It made me sad just to see it in her face.

[LillyKC]

My dad grew up during the Depression. The only way the family survived was because they had a farm and could feed themselves. Later in life, he became a very successful businessman. But, those memories of his childhood were never lost. He took care of everything he had, and taught us to do the same. He smoked cigars, and we joked how he even saved the boxes 'to burn in case times get tough.'

I learned those lessons myself, and have tried to manage my blessings wisely - and always be willing to help my fellow man in need.

[alanolson]

My grandparents were born and raised in central Kansas, our family had lived there for several generations but by the time the Depression hit, along with the dust bowl, it became 8:10 obvious it was time to move on.
They sold some items, others their siblings stored for them😊, and they packed up and left for California. It was 1937, the Depression was still going on and the economy had just had a setback again.
A relative of my grandmother had property in Southern California with a house on it. The owner lived in Kansas near my grandparents and had told them the house was standing empty and would they like to move in when they arrived in California. So they did. There were worse places to go than Pasadena. My grandfather eventually found work, the kids grew up and one of the sons became my Dad.

[pibble]

I remember my mother telling me about “hobos” coming to the back door of their rural home during the Great Depression.

They would knock on the door and politely ask for something to eat.

My grandmother would always kindly oblige by fixing a plate of food for them. She was an amazing cook. Simple, German farm fare.

[greatpar]

Respect to those brave souls who made America great. The youth of today have been spoilt and have no idea of hardship and sacrifice. Take care America🙏🇦🇺

[Cutter-jxxj]

My granny and grandpa lived in Floyd County Kentucky. My grandpa was a coal miner, just like so many others scratching out a living. He died of a massive heart attack brought on by black lung disease. He left granny a hard row to hoe. Her and 11 kids to raise. I have always loved and have been proud of her. RIP, Gran you worked hard, raised 11kids on your own. taught me so so much following behind u as a young boy.

[mikeguthrie]

I guess I was a late comer. Born in De Witt Arkansas, Nov. 24, '41. I used to hear tall tales told by my Daddy and my Mom growin' up during the "war". Didn't realize till years later how rough it was for them growing up in the early years of the 20th century.
Hate to say it, but if we all don't get our act together, we'll be right back like the folks were back then. Read your Bible, talk to the Lord, and pray a lot!