This photograph of Jim Norris, a homesteader near Pie Town, New Mexico is by Russell Lee, photographer for the Farm Security Administration. It was shot in October 1940.
Part of Farm Security Administration – Office of War Information Photograph Collection at the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Color Photographs .
More information about this item (Library of Congress)
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
A well weathered face. Is that a maize or tobacco field?
Maize (corn), Tobacco has large leaves, rather than stalks.
Now that is a hat that gets worn quite often. I was thinking that was corn behind him, but after seeing Grannymar’s comment, I realize I don’t know what tobacco looks like. Going to look it up now.
Okay, based on my limited internet research (basically just looking at photos through Google), I conclude that it is maize (or corn) growing behind Mr. Norris. Tobacco leaves seem a lot broader and the plant itself seems much shorter. So there, I helped us all learn a little something today!
Yup, I answered her question before I saw your comments. I did go and look up tobacco, though I was pretty sure I knew what it looked like. Haven’t actually seen a field of it in quite a while.
I like this pic, Mike. There is good character in his face. Looks like he got a lot of sun, too. His neck is so brown! I bet he was a pretty hardy guy. I’ve known farmers who were spry well into their 80s.
I think that some folks had to be hardy back then, just to get by, and, even then, some didn’t.