Housing Conditions Collection

A mother getting the children ready for a neighborhood birthday party, Washington, D. C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. A mother getting the children ready for a neighborhood birthday party

Chinese quarter of the Chincha Islands, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Chinese quarter of the Chincha Islands, [Peru], 1864. Engraving from a sketch by Oswald Younghusband of the quarter inhabited by Chinese labourers employed in the guano trade

Water-tank in St. Giles's-in-the-Fields, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Water-tank in St. Giles's-in-the-Fields, [London], 1858. There are certain portions of London where the buildings are dilapidated and most of the inhabitants squalid...It should, however

Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938

Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938

Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Matthias Strasse

Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938

Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938

Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938

Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Back alley with lines of washing. Note goat on upturned tub

Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938

Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938

Ah! mon ami, comme cette cheminée fume... 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Ah! mon ami, comme cette cheminee fume... 19th century. Woman [opening window]: Oh how this fireplace smokes - complain to the landlord! Man: No, he would only put up the rent!

Home of a dust bowl refugee in California, Imperial County, California, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Home of a dust bowl refugee in California. Imperial County

Citrus workers in winter quarters, near Lindsay, California, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Near Lindsay, California. Citrus workers in winter quarters

Houses inhabited by Mexican citrus workers, Lindsay, Tulare County, California, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Lindsay, California. Houses inhabited by Mexican citrus workers. (Tulare County)

Family of rural rehabilitation client, Tulare County, California, 1938. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Family of rural rehabilitation client. Tulare County, California

Company housing for cotton workers near Corcoran, California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Company housing for cotton workers near Corcoran, California

Houses inhabited by Mexican citrus workers, Lindsay, Tulare County, California, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Lindsay, California. Houses inhabited by Mexican citrus workers. Tulare County

Migrants winter quarters, Farmersville, Tulare County, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Farmersville, Tulare County. Migrants winter quarters

Slums of San Francisco, California, 1935. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Slums of San Francisco, California

Little Oklahoma, the community that grew out of the need for help in the potato... CA, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Little Oklahoma, the community that grew out of the need for help in the potato and cotton fields. California

House in "Little Oklahoma", California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
House in "Little Oklahoma, " California

Home of a dust bowl refugee in California, Imperial County, California, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Home of a dust bowl refugee in California. Imperial County

Background photo for Hightstown project, New York City. 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Background photo for Hightstown project. The present home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Solomon and family, 133 Avenue D, New York City

Company housing for cotton workers near Corcoran, California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Company housing for cotton workers near Corcoran, California

Home of a migrant worker's family, Kern County, California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Home of a migrant worker's family. Kern County, California. Lately came from Oklahoma

Freightcar converted into home in "Little Oklahoma", California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Freightcar converted into home in "Little Oklahoma, " California

Winter quarters, migratory agricultural workers, beside the highway, Tulare County, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Tulare County. Winter quarters, migratory agricultural workers. Beside the highway. Tulare County, California

Home in "Little Oklahoma", California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Home in "Little Oklahoma, " a community that has grown out of migrant potato and cotton workers. California

Tenement dwelling of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Solomon, 133 Aveue D, New York City, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
One of the rear windows, tenement dwelling of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Solomon, 133 Aveue D, New York City. The Solomon family are on the accepted list for resettlement at Hightstown, New Jersey

Street and homes in "Little Oklahoma", California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Street and homes in "Little Oklahoma, " California

Mexican migratory citrus worker's family, near Strathmore, California, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Near Strathmore, California. Mexican migratory citrus worker's family. Camped here

What was once the "Big House" is now occupied by a family, Greene County, Georgia, 1937
What was once the "Big House" is now occupied by a family of white tenants who live in part of the crumbling mansion and farm a small piece of the nearby eroding fields

Company housing for cotton workers near Corcoran, California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Company housing for cotton workers near Corcoran, California

Mexican field laborers houses, Brawley, Imperial Valley, California, 1935. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Mexican field laborers houses. Brawley, Imperial Valley, California

Shack in "Little Oklahoma", California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Shack in "Little Oklahoma, " California

Part of a roadside ranch camp, twelve tents in this group, California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Part of a roadside ranch camp. Twelve tents in this group. Owned by one of the large farmers who is opposed to Resettlement Administration's migrant camp. California

Arkansas family in California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Arkansas family in California

Recreation in a migratory agricultural workers camp near Holtville, California, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Recreation in a migratory agricultural workers camp near Holtville, California

Housing for Oklahoma refugees, California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Housing for Oklahoma refugees. California

Housing typical of that afforded Mexican field workers of the Imperial Valley, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Housing typical of that afforded Mexican field workers of the Imperial Valley. These people are not migrants, but live on the edge of the ranches and work in peas and melons

Pea picker's home, Nipomo, California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Pea picker's home. The condition of these people warrant resettlement camps for migrant agricultural workers. Nipomo, California

Ditch bank camp for migrant agricultural workers, California, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Ditch bank camp for migrant agricultural workers. California

Housing, within five minutes walk of City Hall, City of Los Angeles, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Housing. Los Angeles. Within five minutes walk of City Hall. Rent eight dollars to twelve dollars monthly

Mexican quarter of Los Angeles, one quarter mile from City Hall, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Mexican quarter of Los Angeles. One quarter mile from City Hall. Area has been condemned and will be torn down shortly to make space for the new Union Railroad station. Average rent is eight dollars

Company housing for Mexican cotton pickers, South of Corcoran, California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Company housing for Mexican cotton pickers, showing the San Joaquin Valley in the background. South of Corcoran, California

Mexican quarter of Los Angeles, California, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Mexican quarter of Los Angeles, California. Average rental is eight dollars. Some houses have plumbing

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"Capturing the Contrasts: A Glimpse into Housing Conditions in 1940s America" In Washington, D. C. In 1942, amidst a neighborhood bustling with activity, we witness a mother diligently preparing her children for a joyous neighborhood birthday party. The scene is filled with anticipation and excitement as the community comes together to celebrate. However, just miles away in Belle Glade, Florida in 1941, a stark contrast emerges. Shacks of Negro migratory workers stand as silent witnesses to their harsh living conditions. These dilapidated structures are condemned by the Board of Health, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by these marginalized individuals. Amongst these shacks lies a "juke joint, " where weary workers seek solace from their arduous lives. This gathering place offers respite but also serves as a reminder of limited opportunities and social inequality prevalent during that time. In another photograph from Belle Glade, we see one shack standing alone against an unforgiving landscape - symbolizing isolation and vulnerability experienced by those who call it home. Meanwhile, back in Washington D. C. , inside Mrs. Ella Watson's humble abode in 1942, religious objects adorn an improved altar within her bedroom - showcasing resilience and faith even amidst challenging circumstances. A glimpse into Mrs. Watson's life reveals more about her daily struggles as she works tirelessly as a government charwoman to provide for herself and her family. Her dresser stands stoically holding cherished possessions while reflecting both strength and perseverance. The presence of Mrs. Watson's grandson adds warmth to this narrative; his innocent smile reminds us that love can thrive even amid adversity. Mrs. Watson's adopted daughter further exemplifies compassion and resilience within this household dynamic - demonstrating how bonds forged through love can transcend difficult times. As we observe Mrs. Watson alongside her adopted daughter and two grandchildren gathered together harmoniously despite their modest surroundings.