July 1935. “Outside water supply, Washington, D.C. Only source of water supply winter and summer for many houses in slum areas. In some places drainage is so poor that surplus water backs up in huge puddles.” These municipal water taps (or pumps — they have crank handles) appear in several photos from this series. I wonder if any survive. 35mm negative by Carl Mydans
Found at Shorpy
Saw this photo over at reddit and it really pulled at my heartstrings.
The oldest of the children in this photo by Dorothea Lange takes care of the others in her migrant family, most likely while the father is working in the fields. She is stunningly beautiful, but carries a heavy and unwanted load on her young shoulders.
Another image of the middle child, wearing a sack dress.
“Youngest little girl of motherless family.” Toppenish in the Yakima Valley of Washington State. August 1939. Photograph by Dorothea Lange. Seen at Shorpy.
Poverty of this nature still exists in our country, let alone the rest of the world, but these images are a stark reminder of a very difficult time for our nation.
The Old Wolf has spoken.
The collection of pictures found at io9 is extracted from the website I mentioned in this post, How the Other Half Lives – from a work by Jacob Riis.
Mulberry Bend
Lodgers in a crowded flat on Bayard Street. Rent: 5¢ per day.
It gives you a look at some of Riis’ work without having to dig through the online text, but I still recommend perusing the entire, impressive effort.
We have come far. We still have far to go.
The Old Wolf has spoken.
The nation’s capital, 1940. With liberty and justice for all…
The Old Wolf has spoken.
Playing in the World Game 