State Historical Society of Iowa

Farmer's Son Playing on a Large Soil Drift in Liberal, Kansas, March 1936

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Image shows a young boy holding what appears to be a football sitting on top of a very large dune of dust. It looks like he is sitting on a sand dune in a desert.
Courtesy of Library of Congress, Rothstein, Arthur, "A farmer's son playing on one of the large soil drifts which threaten to cover up his home. Liberal, Kansas," March 1936

Description 

This photograph by Arthur Rothstein shows a young boy holding what appears to be a football sitting on top of a very large dune of dust. The photo was taken in Liberal, Kansas, which is located in the southwest part of the state. 

Source-Dependent Questions

  • What clues from the photograph help you determine the time period in which it was taken?
  • Does this land look like land that could easily be farmed?
  • How do you think this boy’s life has been impacted by the Dust Bowl?

Citation Information 

Rothstein, Arthur, "A farmer's son playing on one of the large soil drifts which threaten to cover up his home. Liberal, Kansas," March 1936. Courtesy of Library of Congress