DeepLee Rooted

Happy Black History Month✊🏽

A photo of Central Park during the Great Depression. 1933. At the height of the Great Depression, unemployment in New York City approached 25%.

This 1933 photo captures a rare and sobering view of Central Park during the Great Depression, where a sprawling “Hooverville” (a shantytown of makeshift homes) stood in stark contrast to the wealthy buildings just beyond.

Named after President Herbert Hoover, who was widely blamed for the economic collapse, Hoovervilles sprang up in cities across America as millions lost their jobs, homes, and savings.

This particular Hooverville was located in what is now the Great Lawn. Residents constructed shelters from scrap wood, metal, cardboard, and tar paper. There was no plumbing or heat, but a sense of community often emerged among the displaced.

Fun fact: Despite the city’s reputation for progress and prosperity, by 1933, over 25% of New York’s population was unemployed, and Central Park, the jewel of Manhattan, became a symbol of survival