What was life like for YOU in the * Great Depression * ?

Question

If you lived through the great depression, what was it like? Did your family loose money to Stocks or were you one of the wealthy during the Depression? How old were you? How hard was it to servive and make ends meet?

Thank You for you Answers!

-Trent-

Answer 1

May I speak for my 88 year old mother? She grew up in a small town in central Illinois. He father was the doctor for the region. He didn't have stock, but he had problems getting people to pay their bills. He was often paid in eggs, chickens, even a side of beef. Back then, he was on call 24 hours a day, and yes, he made house calls. My mother says she never knew when her dad would be called away, and sometimes he would have to stay with a sick patient overnight.

Mom said she had it good compared to a lot of folks. They had a house and her mother sewed clothes for them. She also canned food--until someone came and stole all the meat she'd just canned. Mom said her parents were pretty sure who the theives were, but they never turned them in, as they knew the people really needed the food.

Mom remembers seeing men walking into town from the railroad lines, asking for a handout. She said her mother would always feed the men, who sometimes did odd jobs for the food, and other times didn't. She thinks the hobos had "marked" the house because all the hobos coming through towns would come to their house.

Main recreation was going to church socials--a huge meal would cost maybe a quarter--but many couldn't even afford that. Going to the restaurant to drink a soda pop or going to the empty store where they showed old silent movies was another favorite passtime. In the summer, a circus and a troupe of traveling actors would come. Both groups would set up in tents, and her Dad was always given a free pass for the next show if he had to be called out for an emergency. He always told the usher where he would be sitting so that they could come get him.

Being a doctor, he had a car--in fact he drove them so much and so hard he got a new one every other year. The only way he could get away from almost constant work was to take a vacation. The family went to Florida once, but mostly went to the movies in Decatur IL.

Answer 2

I love this answer by "Mistress!" I think people old enough to live and remember the Depression aren't exactly the Yahoo Answers type of crowd. If you're doing research or something go to a nursing home or senior center.

I grew up in Detroit, Michigan during the Depression and we managed. What I recall most was that at times I'd worry that I'd not be able to take care of my family once I married.

But those were different times over all. The streets were safe (even at night), no one ever used baby sitters, we didn't use life jackets in a boat, bottles didn't have seals, and we mashed the oleo margarine in a cellophane bag to mix in the color. Gasoline was 8 gallons for a dollar, bread was a dime, movies were 12 cents, and a dime got you on a bus where you'd get a transfer that got you on a street car that took you downtown so you could ride up and down the escalators in Hudsons.

Radio was exciting, with, The Lone Range, Ma Perkins, Stella Dallas, Superman, and Jack Armstrong the all American boy!

The Hit Parade would play the most popular songs during the past week, and Bing Crosby, Kate Smith, and Judy Canova all had their own radio shows. And mom would walk around the breakfast table with Don McNeal's radio program, the Breakfast Club.

BTW - radios in those days were far better than today. Most had short wave and we could listen to anything anywhere.
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Answer 3

I think people old enough to live and remember the Depression aren't exactly the Yahoo Answers type of crowd. If you're doing research or something go to a nursing home or senior center and chat with the elderly crowd. It would be a good experience for you AND them. They love young visitors.

Answer 4

I never lived during the Depression but my late grandfather was born 2 years after the stock market crashed and thus, his family was somewhat poor (but sorta well-off, too).

Answer 5

my grandmother said that everyone in the cities had a hard time. they lived in the country and were not effected as much. they had the ablitily to grow a large garden. they also fished and raised chickens for food. clothes were sowen and shoes where very expensive. there were not toys unless my grandfather made wooden ones, my grandmother made teddy bears, dolls and rugs out of old woren out clothes.

they picked berries and fruit and canned them with vegitables from the garden for winter

Answer 6

My grandparents were there and they told me stories. My grandfather said they worked on a farm they had 12 brothers & 6 sisters & everyone had to work on the farm to survive. He said he can remember one Christmas in his childhood when he & his siblings got a orange for each of them. They were all so happy on this day, he says he will never forget that day. It was pretty rough in those days for the average faimly.

Answer 7

this is the great depression think about how many people are starving and homeless right this very day

Answer 8

It was really a bad time for us. In our palace everyone was poor. Our driver was poor and so were our cooks. The Gardener and our two dozen servants were also poor. We were practically starving brunch and lunch and lunch through dinner time daily.

Answer 9

MY GRANDFATHER'S FORTUNE WAS WIPED OUT IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION SOMEONE JUMPED FROM A BUILDING ON WALL STREET AND LANDED ON GRANDPA'S PUSHCART.

Answer 10

my dog just died i'm in my great depression now, i'll gert back to you later about it