Faces of the Great Depression

Eighty years ago America experienced the Wall Street Stock Market crash which led the country in to a time known as the Great Depression. It is important to know how it affected the country as a whole, but also, how it affected individual people and families.

VaNita Morris, 94, has been a native to Weatherford, Oklahoma for nearly all of her life. During the Great depression, she was married and gave birth to her five children. Her husband was a local schoolteacher during that time and she stayed at home to care for their children. She recalled owning an old truck, but only using it when necessary and for only short distances. “It must have been quite the sight to see all seven of us loaded up in that truck,” Morris stated. She said that during those times, they missed being able to afford pork and beans, her favorite meal still till this day. She described it as a difficult time, but also as some of the happiest years of her life.

Fred Leippe, 83, was born and grew up in southern Texas. He said that growing up during the Great Depression had its challenges, but overall wasn’t bad. He had three siblings close in age. He remembers spending much of his childhood working on the family farm. When it came to Christmas and birthdays, toys were homemade. Overall, he said looking back he just has normal childhood memories that aren’t focused on the economic standing of that time.

Eula Mae Turner, 78, has spent her whole life in west Texas. She was born during the Great Depression but still has faint memories of those years. She lived with her parents and one older sister. She remembers her mother making all their clothing herself. She remembers how occasionally her father would bring home ‘sweets’ for the holidays for her and her sister. Overall, she said her memories of her early childhood were positive.