Most people know about our coast land and lighthouses, but those who don’t have Maine roots often forget that we have a rich agricultural heritage. In fact, one of the most overlooked areas of the state is the Norther, comprised of places like Aroostook County where potato farming was the principal means of income for many people. Here are some lasting images of our farming heritage that we think everyone should take a moment to remember.
- Front view of farmhouse and connecting buildings. (1936)
Paul Carter / LC-USF341-T01-002618 Library of Congress This was a resettlement client in Waldo County, Maine.
- A multi-structure farm on rural land in Knox County, Maine. (1937)
Arthur Rothstein / LC-USF34-025852 Library of Congress This area, while rural, was dotted with farms like this.
- Barn on farm near Fryeburg, Maine. (1940)
Marion Post Wolcott / LC-USF34-053422 Library of Congress Some similar structures can still be seen in the area.
- Two Caribou boys working on a farm near Caribou. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041845 Library of Congress Most of these men ate lunch out in the fields.
- Aroostook farm landscape. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF342-T-041911 Library of Congress In the foreground is a potato field ready to be harvested. Near Caribou, Maine.
- Throwing potato barrels in the field for the pickers on one of the farms of the Woodman Potato Company. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041702 Library of Congress This was about eleven miles north of Caribou, Maine
- Tractor garage and house occupied by the cook of one of the Woodman Potato Company farms. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF347-041755 Library of Congress This was about eleven miles north of Caribou, Maine.
- On a tractor-drawn potato digger on a farm near Caribou, Maine. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041791 Library of Congress The hard work that happened in the area during this period of time has lasted and can still be seen today in the people of Maine.
- Farmhouse at dusk near Presque Isle, Maine. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041790 Library of Congress An eerie site with impending weather.
- Children picking potatoes in a field near Caribou, Maine. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041795 Library of Congress Schools in the area did not open until the potatoes were harvested.
- Lunch being served at one of the farms of the Woodman Potato Company. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF347-041807 Library of Congress At the head of the table is Mr. Woodman. Only the foreman and skilled laborers eat here. Eleven miles north of Caribou, Maine.
- Truckload of barrels near Washburn, Maine. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF347-041810 Library of Congress In Aroostock, the farmer spoke of his potatoes in terms of barrels rather than bushels or sacks.
- Potato storage barn on a field near Caribou, Maine. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF347-041825 Library of Congress The earth is built up around the sides to provide a more even temperature throughout the year.
- Potato farm after the harvest showing layout of buildings. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041989 Library of Congress The highway running thru is U.S. No. 1. Near Caribou, Maine. Does anyone know exactly where this is today?
- Using a horse-drawn potato digger on a farm near New Sweden, Maine. (1940)
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-042081 Library of Congress Imagine using these today!
- Annual agricultural show at the state experimental farm. (1942)
John Collier / LC-USF34-083548 Library of Congress This was the prize winning baby beef, which was raised by a daughter of an FSA (Farm Security Administration) client near Presque Isle, Maine.
- Acadian farmhouse near Lille, Maine. (1942)
John Collier / LC-USF34-083624 Library of Congress The house has two rooms, one upstairs and one downstairs.
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Paul Carter / LC-USF341-T01-002618 Library of Congress
This was a resettlement client in Waldo County, Maine.
Arthur Rothstein / LC-USF34-025852 Library of Congress
This area, while rural, was dotted with farms like this.
Marion Post Wolcott / LC-USF34-053422 Library of Congress
Some similar structures can still be seen in the area.
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041845 Library of Congress
Most of these men ate lunch out in the fields.
Jack Delano / LC-USF342-T-041911 Library of Congress
In the foreground is a potato field ready to be harvested. Near Caribou, Maine.
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041702 Library of Congress
This was about eleven miles north of Caribou, Maine
Jack Delano / LC-USF347-041755 Library of Congress
This was about eleven miles north of Caribou, Maine.
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041791 Library of Congress
The hard work that happened in the area during this period of time has lasted and can still be seen today in the people of Maine.
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041790 Library of Congress
An eerie site with impending weather.
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041795 Library of Congress
Schools in the area did not open until the potatoes were harvested.
Jack Delano / LC-USF347-041807 Library of Congress
At the head of the table is Mr. Woodman. Only the foreman and skilled laborers eat here. Eleven miles north of Caribou, Maine.
Jack Delano / LC-USF347-041810 Library of Congress
In Aroostock, the farmer spoke of his potatoes in terms of barrels rather than bushels or sacks.
Jack Delano / LC-USF347-041825 Library of Congress
The earth is built up around the sides to provide a more even temperature throughout the year.
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-041989 Library of Congress
The highway running thru is U.S. No. 1. Near Caribou, Maine. Does anyone know exactly where this is today?
Jack Delano / LC-USF34-042081 Library of Congress
Imagine using these today!
John Collier / LC-USF34-083548 Library of Congress
This was the prize winning baby beef, which was raised by a daughter of an FSA (Farm Security Administration) client near Presque Isle, Maine.
John Collier / LC-USF34-083624 Library of Congress
The house has two rooms, one upstairs and one downstairs.
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