VACHON, John

John Vachon recorded terrible times during the GREAT DEPRESSION

VACHON, John (St, Paul, MN, May 19, 1914—New York, NY, Apr. 20, 1975). Vachon worked as a clerk for the Farm Security Administration before being asked to join a small group of photographers asked to publicize the conditions of the rural poor in America. The special quality of his photography was picturing people and places without any special effects.

In 1940 Vachon came to Dubuque to create pictures for FSA historical files. His black-and-white pictures of the living and working conditions showed the trouble facing American farmers and laborers.

Vachon recorded shacktown residents near the river.

Vachon photograph of other shacktown people.

Vachon photograph of a cow kept near a shacktown residence.

Vachon photograph of trash being tossed on the dump near the river.

Vachon record of the city dump and stream pollution.

Vachon also showed daily life such as spring cleaning in other parts of the city.