State Historical Society of Iowa

Destroyed Orchard in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, April 1936

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, Rothstein, Arthur, "Orchard destroyed by drifting sand. Cimarron County, Oklahoma," April 1936

Description

This 1936 photograph by Arthur Rothstein captures dry, wind blown soil piling high toward the top of dead trees in an orchard. The image was taken in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, which is the westernmost part of the state and the most severely impacted area of the Dust Bowl.

Source Dependent Questions

  • What could you compare this photo to? How/Why? Explain your comparison using evidence from the photo.
  • How would the situation as depicted impact the region's local agricultural economy? Why?
  • What options might the family have had when it came to their land and livelihood? Given these options, what would you have done?
  • Select one headline from the "Dust Storm Headline Montage" that fits best with this photo. Use evidence from the photo to justify your selection.

Citation Information

Rothstein, Arthur, "Orchard destroyed by drifting sand. Cimarron County, Oklahoma," April 1936. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress