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Many of the Dust Bowl migrants sought
seasonal farm work in the warm climates of California, Texas, and Florida, where they
would plant, maintain, and harvest fruit and vegetables. In the early days of the
migration, once work was found, the migrants would set up temporary housing on public
lands or in dry riverbeds just outside the towns or off the farms they were working. Most
often, shelter would take the form of canvas tents or wood lean-tos. In 1937, the Farm
Security Act (FSA) provided for the building of permanent migrant camp facilities in and
around the rich agricultural areas. The photos that follow picture various types of
migrant camp housing. What words come to mind as you view the migrant camps? What do you
think life was like in these camps? Why do you think the government got involved in
building camps like the one in Visalia? In what ways do you think life improved in the FSA
migrant camps?
Click on the photographs to view larger, higher resolution images. View additional images from FSA/OWI Photographs, 1935-1945. Use your browser's Back Button to return to this point.
top of page Click on the photographs to view larger images. View additional images from FSA/OWI Photographs, 1935-1945.Use your browser's Back Button to return to this point. |
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