#7: The Struggle of Oklahoma’s Grocery Stores During the Depression
Captured in the 1930s, this image reflects Oklahoma’s dire situation during the Great Depression, a period when it faced extreme economic hardships, particularly during 1932-1933, becoming a symbol of the nationwide struggle.
With a 64% drop in income, Oklahoma’s farmers faced severe poverty, leading many, like the man pictured, to survive on store credit. During this time, nearly half of Oklahoma’s population was unemployed, forcing residents to find any means to endure.