The 1930s were undoubtedly a simpler time. That was often due to hardship rather than choice. New Mexicans suffered as a result of drought, dust, and the financial devastation of the Great Depression.
However, the decade was also one of transition. New Deal programs like the Works Programs Administration helped ease the suffering and provide jobs. More than 50,000 New Mexicans participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps and helped to improve our state’s infrastructure, restore the ruined structures in Chaco Canyon, and turn Carlsbad Caverns into a tourist destination.
Although these years involved a lot of difficulties, they also built a strong sense of community. Here are some of the businesses and items you’d have found in most New Mexico towns during the 1930s:
- A Post Office
Photogrammar/Russell Lee By 1930s standards, this post office near the Colorado border, in Costilla, is pretty nice.
- Wells
Photogrammar/Russell Lee Water has always been a highly valued resource in New Mexico and, although many still use well water today, we don’t have to draw it up with a bucket anymore!
- Multi-purpose Stores or General Stores
Photogrammar/Russell Lee Towns with only a scattering of stores often used one building for several purposes. This filling station and grocery store in Questa is the 1930s version of Allsup’s!
- Chile
Photogrammar/Russell Lee The best things endure! Although this woman is taking her chile peppers off the stove in 1939, it’s a fairly timeless shot.
- A Main Drag
Photogrammar/Russell Lee Some weren’t actually called Main Street, but towns had a central street where businesses were clustered together.
- A Barber Shop
Photogrammar/Russell Lee This barber shop in Mogollon helped town residents to look spiffy!
- A Church
Photogrammar/Russell Lee This quaint one was located in Holman, in Mora County.
- Farmland
Photogrammar/Russell Lee Although farmers were hard-hit by the Depression and weather conditions in the 1930s, people continued to work the land. The men in this image (from 1939) are threshing wheat.
- Seasonal Entertainment
Photogrammar/Russell Lee Many towns had some kind of annual festival. The Bean Day Celebration in Wagon Mound (pictured) continues to this day, making it more than a century old.
- A Fair
Photogrammar/Arthur Rothstein Residents of some New Mexico towns were fortunate enough to be able to attend the carnival.
Look at the expression on the smaller boy’s face - apparently sibling relationships haven’t changed much since the 1930s!
To see more of the effects of the Great Depression, view this collection of historic images taken in New Mexico.
Photogrammar/Russell Lee
By 1930s standards, this post office near the Colorado border, in Costilla, is pretty nice.
Water has always been a highly valued resource in New Mexico and, although many still use well water today, we don’t have to draw it up with a bucket anymore!
Towns with only a scattering of stores often used one building for several purposes. This filling station and grocery store in Questa is the 1930s version of Allsup’s!
The best things endure! Although this woman is taking her chile peppers off the stove in 1939, it’s a fairly timeless shot.
Some weren’t actually called Main Street, but towns had a central street where businesses were clustered together.
This barber shop in Mogollon helped town residents to look spiffy!
Photogrammar/Russell Lee
This quaint one was located in Holman, in Mora County.
Although farmers were hard-hit by the Depression and weather conditions in the 1930s, people continued to work the land. The men in this image (from 1939) are threshing wheat.
Many towns had some kind of annual festival. The Bean Day Celebration in Wagon Mound (pictured) continues to this day, making it more than a century old.
Photogrammar/Arthur Rothstein
Residents of some New Mexico towns were fortunate enough to be able to attend the carnival.
Look at the expression on the smaller boy’s face - apparently sibling relationships haven’t changed much since the 1930s!
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