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Americans React to the Great Depression

Hoovervilles - Photograph Collage

During the Great Depression, many families lost their homes because they could not pay their mortgages. These people had no choice but to seek alternative forms of shelter. Hoovervilles, named after President Hoover, who was blamed for the problems that led to the depression, sprung up throughout the United States. The following photos provide a glimpse of some Hoovervilles. In what ways do you think life changed for people who lost their jobs, life savings, and homes, and ended up living in Hoovervilles? Do you think most Hooverville residents had a choice about how they lived? Can you think of anything similar to Hoovervilles in the United States today? If so, how are they different or similar to the Hoovervilles of the Great Depression?

Click on the photographs below for larger images. View additional images from FSA/OWI Photographs, 1935-1945. Use your browser's Back Button to return to this page.

hooverville in Portland

Hooverville, Portland, Oregon

 hooverville in Ohio

Dwellers in Local Hooverville, Circleville, Ohio
squatter's shacks

Squatters' Shacks Along the Willamette River, Portland, Oregon

 hooverville of Bakersfield, CA

Hooverville of Bakersfield, California

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Click on the photographs above for larger images. View additional images from FSA/OWI Photographs, 1935-1945.Use your browser's Back Button to return to this page.

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Last updated 09/26/2002