With the beginning of World War II, the daily lives of people everywhere changed significantly, Mississippians included. Rationing, a shift in the workforce, and the state’s reliance on the agricultural industry were just a few of the social and economic adjustments that were brought on by the war. The years 1939 through 1945 are arguably the most important period of the 20th century; here are 17 photos of Mississippi during that momentous time.
- A man spends a Saturday afternoon selling fish in Holmes County. During this time, it was not uncommon for residents to find alternate means of income if their primary job was affected by the war.
Marion Post Wolcott/Library of Congress
- A Jackson gas station looks desolate, which could be the result of federal control of the commodities, or rationing.
Marion Post Wolcott/Library of Congress
- A group of German POWs arrive at Camp Shelby. Many prisoners were sent to one of 15 branch camps and assigned jobs such as working in cotton fields or performing duties related to forestry.
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- The streets of Belzoni are bustling on a Saturday afternoon, near the beginning of the war.
Marion Post Wolcott/Library of Congress
- Lexington residents spend a weekend afternoon interacting in front of a local bank, which probably experienced a business boom during the war as the state’s economy was very strong at that time.
Marion Post Wolcott/Library of Congress
- Merigold farmers weigh cotton in 1939 – just one year before thousands of Mississippi farm workers either entered the military or took other jobs.
Marion Post Wolcott/Library of Congress
- Located in Leland, Staple Cotton Co-op Association is one of many businesses that aided farmers in selling and distributing their yield of cotton.
Marion Post Wolcott/Library of Congress
- Rather than work on plantations, many Chinese residents of Mississippi chose to open and run grocery stores. The store pictured, Joe Gow Nue and Co. Grocery, opened in the 1920s.
Marion Post Wolcott/Library of Congress
- Stationed at Camp Shelby, a soldier passes the time by playing a “sweet potato.”
Jack Delano/Library of Congress
- In May of 1942, several shipyard workers inspect keel timbers for a new submarine chaser.
Howard R. Hollem/Library of Congress
- Several truck drivers take a coffee break at an eatery near Pearlington.
John Vachon/Library of Congress
- Cutting the steel needed to construct a submarine chaser, the two men shown haven’t been practicing this craft long. Before the war, one was a farmer and the other was an engineer on a fishing boat.
Howard R. Hollem/Library of Congress
- Taken at Camp Shelby in 1941, this picture shows one of the one million military personnel that entered the state during the war.
William Perlitch/Library of Congress
- A Camp Shelby soldier is given a haircut by his peers in June of 1941.
William Perlitch/Library of Congress
- With one grandchild serving in the army, this Biloxi grandfather does his part by lending his skill and experience to assist the navy with the production of submarine chasers.
Howard R. Hollem/Flickr
- Taken in Biloxi, a local man is given the role of creating keels and other vital parts for submarine chasers.
Howard R. Hollem/Library of Congress
- Female welders pose for a picture at Pascagoula’s Ingalls Shipyard. This wasn’t an uncommon sight since, during the war, women played a major role in the state’s industrial industry.
Marion Doss/Flickr
An interesting view of the state’s past, to say the least. What’d you think? Have any pictures of your own? Share your thoughts/photos below!
Marion Post Wolcott/Library of Congress
oldonesdream.com
Jack Delano/Library of Congress
Howard R. Hollem/Library of Congress
John Vachon/Library of Congress
William Perlitch/Library of Congress
Howard R. Hollem/Flickr
Marion Doss/Flickr
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