While a lot of the country suffered from an economic depression that has resonated through world history, midwestern states like North Dakota were struggling to make it through what seemed like a never-ending, terrible drought. With farmlands overworked, soil dry, and a lack of trees, dust storms were all too common in the state. Farmers were lucky if they got even 20 bushels of crop out of 20 acres of farmland, and the price of those crops had fallen drastically. Wells dried up, and people gave up their dying farms and moved away when they lost all hope.
It was a hard time for everyone, the likes of which we hopefully will never experience, but we can still take a glimpse into that time. Here are 10 photographs from North Dakota taken during that time that show some of the devastating effects the drought and economy had in the state.
- “Trees stripped bare by drought and grasshoppers on farm near Saint Anthony, North Dakota”
Arther Rothstein/yale.edu This farm shows a good idea of what the drought was like - in the middle of summer, the trees could be bare of leaves, and the grass sparse and dying.
- “Waiting for better times, J. Huffman of Grassy Butte, North Dakota, sits in front of his closed store”
Arthur Rothstein/yale.edu Times were tough for everyone - not just the farmers. Store owners especially had a hard time staying in business in the area while no one had any money from their own livelihood to buy anything besides the bare essentials - if even those.
- “Old silo and remains of barn wrecked by wind near Williston, North Dakota”
Russell Lee/yale.edu Many buildings were ruined by the dust bowl. Farm houses, barns - anything. Sod house dugouts built partially underground became a commonly used form of shelter for farmers abandoning their dying land.
- “John Frederick of Grant County, North Dakota, shows how high his wheat would grow if there were no drought”
Arthur Rothstein/yale.edu I felt this was one of the most impacting images I found. It’s hard to imagine how difficult it was to have tried to continue making a living on land and in a time that seemed to hold no sympathy towards anyone.
- “Going to church to pray for rain.”
Arthur Rothstein/yale.edu With no way to fix the drought themselves, many turned to their faith in hopes of some day having their prayers answered.
- “Dust storm near Williston, North Dakota”
Russell Lee/yale.edu This small group of horses stands near a building in the midst of a dust storm. It truly was as it was named in this time - a dust bowl.
- “President Roosevelt greeted on tour of drought area. Near Bismarck, North Dakota”
Arthur Rothstein/yale.edu The country had many cries for help towards the government at this time, and FDR himself visited areas stricken with drought to see for himself what it was like in those places. Here he is stepping out of a car and being greeted by officials near the state capitol.
- “Kitchen in dust storm area with window sealed with towels.”
Russell Lee/yale.edu Other than having a huge impact on the farm land itself, dust storms would fill houses with layers of loose dirt if they were not fully sealed off. People did what they could do to shield themselves from the raging winds, including stuffing towels around windows.
- “Farmers and stock in drought near Dickinson, North Dakota”
Paul Carter/yale.edu Animals, especially livestock, were also suffering from the drought. Many livestock farmers moved their herds, such as cattle and sheep, out of North Dakota to more well-off areas. This mare and foal show some of the effects the drought had on them, as well.
- “Idle tractor and machine shed on farm in drought-stricken Williams County, North Dakota”
Russell Lee/yale.edu As fields became barren, many farmers abandoned their buildings and equipment and moved to cities in hopes of better prospects for jobs that may actually generate an income. This was not uncommon for many, many US citizens who were also struggling to do the same.
These hard memories have been preserved through time with photography, but also through the memories of our own families that have been passed down to now. What stories and memories did your family have of the Great Depression and the dust bowl?
Arther Rothstein/yale.edu
This farm shows a good idea of what the drought was like - in the middle of summer, the trees could be bare of leaves, and the grass sparse and dying.
Arthur Rothstein/yale.edu
Times were tough for everyone - not just the farmers. Store owners especially had a hard time staying in business in the area while no one had any money from their own livelihood to buy anything besides the bare essentials - if even those.
Russell Lee/yale.edu
Many buildings were ruined by the dust bowl. Farm houses, barns - anything. Sod house dugouts built partially underground became a commonly used form of shelter for farmers abandoning their dying land.
I felt this was one of the most impacting images I found. It’s hard to imagine how difficult it was to have tried to continue making a living on land and in a time that seemed to hold no sympathy towards anyone.
With no way to fix the drought themselves, many turned to their faith in hopes of some day having their prayers answered.
This small group of horses stands near a building in the midst of a dust storm. It truly was as it was named in this time - a dust bowl.
The country had many cries for help towards the government at this time, and FDR himself visited areas stricken with drought to see for himself what it was like in those places. Here he is stepping out of a car and being greeted by officials near the state capitol.
Other than having a huge impact on the farm land itself, dust storms would fill houses with layers of loose dirt if they were not fully sealed off. People did what they could do to shield themselves from the raging winds, including stuffing towels around windows.
Paul Carter/yale.edu
Animals, especially livestock, were also suffering from the drought. Many livestock farmers moved their herds, such as cattle and sheep, out of North Dakota to more well-off areas. This mare and foal show some of the effects the drought had on them, as well.
As fields became barren, many farmers abandoned their buildings and equipment and moved to cities in hopes of better prospects for jobs that may actually generate an income. This was not uncommon for many, many US citizens who were also struggling to do the same.
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Address: North Dakota, USA
