State Historical Society of Iowa

Dust Bowl Family from Paris, Arkansas, Leaves on Highway No.1, June 1938

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, Lange, Dorothea, "On highway no. 1 of the "OK" state near Webbers Falls, Muskogee County, Oklahoma..." June 1938

Description

This photograph, taken by famed-American photographer Dorothea Lange, shows a family that was from Paris, Arkansas, relocating during the Dust Bowl era. The title indicates they anticipate ending up in California one day, as many families did.

Source Dependent Questions

  • How would you characterize the Dust Bowl migrant experience using evidence from this photo? What specific challenges would they have faced along the way?
  • Considering the evidence contained within the photo and the information gathered from the Library of Congress' citation information, do you suppose this family felt secure in their future? How much hope did they have at this point in their journey?
  • Would this photo have inspired hope for other migrant families or those considering migration to escape the Dust Bowl?

Citation Information

Lange, Dorothea, "On highway no. 1 of the "OK" state near Webbers Falls, Muskogee County, Oklahoma. Seven children and eldest son's family. Father was a blacksmith in Paris, Arkansas. Son was a tenant farmer. "We're bound for Kingfisher (Oklahoma wheat) and Lubbock (Texas cotton). We're not trying to but we'll be in California yet. We're not going back to Arkansas; believe I can better myself," June 1938. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress