State Historical Society of Iowa

People Loading Potatoes onto a Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railcar, 1903

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Two horse-drawn wagons parked near train cars. Doors are open on train cars, and three men and a child are also seen in the photo.
Courtesy of the State Historical Society of Iowa, 1903

Description

Residents are shown standing beside wagons in the process of loading potatoes onto a Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railcar. These men were likely farmers who grew the potatoes and are sending the potatoes to buyers in other places across Iowa or perhaps other states. This image was taken in Lacona, Iowa, in the fall of 1903. The population of Lacona was 496 in 1900 and 361 in 2010.

Source-Dependent Questions

  • Was this image taken in a rural area or an urban area? Use evidence from the image to support your answer.
  • Why would the railroad be a good thing for a potato farmer in Lacona, Iowa?
  • Compare these service vehicles to other service and delivery vehicles such as the ones for Flynn Farm, Farmers Mutual Co-Op Creamery or Western Union. How does this urban area impact these service vehicle workers?