State Historical Society of Iowa

Main Street Construction in Shenandoah, Iowa, October 1950

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Cement being poured to create a street after total road reconstruction and storm sewer replacement.
Courtesy of the State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines Register & Tribune, October 1950

Description

This photograph shows a bird’s eye view of construction that was underway on Main Street for installation of storm sewers and new paving in Shenandoah, Iowa in 1950. This road was paid for by the government using tax dollars. In 1950, 6,938 people lived in Shenandoah, but by 2010, the population dropped to 5,150. 

Source-Dependent Questions

  • Is Shenandoah a rural area or an urban area? Use evidence from the image to support your answer.
  • This construction crew is laying cement on the road. How would a cement road be better than a dirt road?
  • How did the buildings, sidewalks and roads help people transport goods from one place to another?