The World's Largest Public Domain Media Search Engine

The Beginning of RV

In 1910, there were few gas stations, few paved roads, and no highways but this is the year that America’s leading historians cite as the beginning of modern RV industry.Created by: PICRYLDated: 2016
Washington, D.C. A demonstration of FSA (Farm Security Administration) trailers. Linking up for the parade
In the late 1910s, there were few gas stations, few paved roads, and no highways was a time that America’s leading historians call the beginning of modern RV. In 1920s people who traveled like this were referred to as 'tin can tourists'. As time progressed, trailers became attractive, comfortable and earned a new name "house trailer" in the 1930s and 1940s.
In the late 1930s, during the Great Depression, FSA (Federal Farm Security Administration) built trailer camps to assist childless couples and families of one and two children in moving in areas where new factories were​ built, and labor was in demand. In 2005, FEMA provided temporary emergency housing using thousands of travel trailers.
337 Media in collection ∙ page 1 of 4
Portable trailer in use in blind landings. Washington D.C. This portable trailer where all the equipment is enclosed can be easily transported to any position on the Airdrome so that the pilot can approach the field into the wind for his landing. All the beam control is dispatched from this trailer to the instrument in the cockpit of the plane while at the same time the pilot is in contact with the airport control tower. Photo shows the plane in a test taking off over the trailer in a test at the Airdrome

Portable trailer in use in blind landings. Washington D.C. This portab...

Camping Trailers, National Forest Service photograph.

Camping Trailers, National Forest Service photograph.

Photographs Relating to National Forests, Resource Management Practices, Personnel, and Cultural and Economic History

Senator Henry M. Jackson talking with a group of people at an Airstream trailer park during his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination

Senator Henry M. Jackson talking with a group of people at an Airstrea...

Senator Henry M. Jackson talking with a group of people at an Airstream trailer park during his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, 1976..Photographer: .Conklin, Paul S...Subjects (LCSH):.Jacks... More

Koreshan Unity family camping

Koreshan Unity family camping

Local call number:KOR0066...Title: Koreshan Unity family camping...Date: circa 1920s...Physical descrip: 1 photoprint - b&w - 3 x 5 in....Series Title: Koreshan Unity Collection ( http://floridamemory.com/phot... More

Preparations to Raise a Trailer House - Bureau of Indian Affairs

Preparations to Raise a Trailer House - Bureau of Indian Affairs

Pine Ridge Agency: Miscellaneous Photographs

Interior of trailer at the auto trailer camp, Dennis Port, Massachusetts

Interior of trailer at the auto trailer camp, Dennis Port, Massachuset...

Note on "mobile housing." Car and homemade trailer on U.S. 101 near King City. Man and wife, middle-aged, from Wisconsin to California. "Old Man Depression sent us out on the road. Been out two years. You don't know anything about how many people are living in trailers, till you 'hit' Florida"

Note on "mobile housing." Car and homemade trailer on U.S. 101 near Ki...

Messrs. Kaunetz [i.e., Kaunitz] (or Kauneel [name of company]), father and son, pioneers in auto trailers using yatch construction methods. Steam-bending elm. Bay City, Michigan

Messrs. Kaunetz [i.e., Kaunitz] (or Kauneel [name of company]), father...

Deluxe Kauneel (or Kaunetz [i.e., Kaunitz]) auto trailer. Bay City, Michigan

Deluxe Kauneel (or Kaunetz [i.e., Kaunitz]) auto trailer. Bay City, Mi...

The photographs in the Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph

The photographs in the Farm Security Administration / Office of War In...

The photographs in the Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph

The photographs in the Farm Security Administration / Office of War In...

Scene at the auto trailer camp, Dennis Port, Massachusetts

Scene at the auto trailer camp, Dennis Port, Massachusetts

Squatter camp. Outskirts of Bakersfield, California. Note number of auto trailers and trailer being constructed on left

Squatter camp. Outskirts of Bakersfield, California. Note number of au...

Scenes at the auto trailer camp, Dennis Port, Massachusetts

Scenes at the auto trailer camp, Dennis Port, Massachusetts

Florida photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph.

Florida photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Inf...

Trailer camp, 6/4/37

Trailer camp, 6/4/37

Trailer-laboratory is latest U.S. weapon in war against syphilis. Washington, D.C. Aug. 23. Dr. L.E. Burney and Nurse Fran Miller of the new trailer-laboratory which has just been completed for the United States Public Health Service, interview a "patient" as the trailer arrives in Washington for exhibition. After a short stay here, the clinic-on-wheels , which is fully equipped in every respect, will travel to Georgia for use in a syphilis control project to be conducted there. 8/23/37

Trailer-laboratory is latest U.S. weapon in war against syphilis. Wash...

U.S. Public Health Service uses trailer clinic in war against syphilis. Washington, D.C. Aug. 23. Ready for action the new trailer-laboratory just completed for the United States Public Healthy Service arrived in the Capital today for inspection by government officials. Dr. L.E. Burney and Nurse Fran Miller, (shown in the photo) members of the Public Health Service staff, will travel with the trailer which was built for use in a syphilis project in Georgia. It is equipped with an operating table for examination of patients, a sink, sterilizer, and other equipment needed to administer to sufferers of the dread disease. 8/23/37

U.S. Public Health Service uses trailer clinic in war against syphilis...

Florida photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph.

Florida photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Inf...

Scene in an auto trailer camp near Dania, Florida, where 200 cars are encamped. This is one of Florida's higher class trailer camps, the rates being $5.00 weekly including electricity

Scene in an auto trailer camp near Dania, Florida, where 200 cars are ...

Florida photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph.

Florida photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Inf...

Some of the 200 trailers encamped at an auto-trailer camp near Dania, Florida. This is one of the better trailer camps in Florida, the rates being $5.00 weekly including electricity

Some of the 200 trailers encamped at an auto-trailer camp near Dania, ...

Trailer camp, 6/4/37

Trailer camp, 6/4/37

Autos and trailers encamped in a tourist camp used by migrant fruit workers, near Belle Glade, Florida

Autos and trailers encamped in a tourist camp used by migrant fruit wo...

Trailer camp, 6/4/37

Trailer camp, 6/4/37

Scene in an auto trailer camp near Dania, Florida, where 200 cars are encamped. This is one of the better trailer camps in Florida. The rates are $5.00 a week, including electricity

Scene in an auto trailer camp near Dania, Florida, where 200 cars are ...

Florida photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph.

Florida photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Inf...

Trailers parked behind rooming house. Omaha, Nebraska

Trailers parked behind rooming house. Omaha, Nebraska

Farm Security Administration (FSA) migrant labor camp. Two trailers, one to be used by camp manager for living quarters and office, the other as a clinic and health center. Comprise part of the mobile camp unit. This unit will follow the workers from harvest to harvest, where emergency camps will be started

Farm Security Administration (FSA) migrant labor camp. Two trailers, o...

The oldest girl seated in the doorway of the house trailer cares for the family. Yakima Valley, Washington

The oldest girl seated in the doorway of the house trailer cares for t...

White migrant mother with daughter in door of trailer home near Weslaco, Texas

White migrant mother with daughter in door of trailer home near Weslac...

Texas photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph.

Texas photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Infor...

Farmers unloading tobacco from their trailers in front of warehouse on morning of auction sales. Mebane, Orange County, North Carolina

Farmers unloading tobacco from their trailers in front of warehouse on...

Trailer camp, McAllen, Texas

Trailer camp, McAllen, Texas

Always many more Americans on the road, housing themselves in modern or homemade trailers, contrast sharply with an old Southern home. Monticello, Florida

Always many more Americans on the road, housing themselves in modern o...

Oil field worker in his trailer home reading a letter. Seminole, Oklahoma

Oil field worker in his trailer home reading a letter. Seminole, Oklah...

Tom Tom Herb Tonic trailertruck in transient laborer's cabin and trailer camp. Belle Glade, Florida

Tom Tom Herb Tonic trailertruck in transient laborer's cabin and trail...

Nurse in FSA (Farm Security Administration) mobile camp unit conducts doctor to house trailer where there is a sick child. Merrill, Klamath County, Oregon

Nurse in FSA (Farm Security Administration) mobile camp unit conducts ...

Child of migrant family in front of household goods of trailer home, Weslaco, Texas

Child of migrant family in front of household goods of trailer home, W...

Trailer camp at Port Aransas, Texas. This is a fishing and summer resort

Trailer camp at Port Aransas, Texas. This is a fishing and summer reso...

Child of white migrant worker in front of trailer home, Weslaco, Texas

Child of white migrant worker in front of trailer home, Weslaco, Texas

White migrant mother with daughter in door of trailer home near Weslaco, Texas

White migrant mother with daughter in door of trailer home near Weslac...

White migrant mother with children in front of trailer home, Weslaco, Texas

White migrant mother with children in front of trailer home, Weslaco, ...

Trailer home and truck of white migrant family, Weslaco, Texas

Trailer home and truck of white migrant family, Weslaco, Texas

Migratory packinghouse workers camp. No work, trailers for sale, near Canal Point, Florida

Migratory packinghouse workers camp. No work, trailers for sale, near ...

Trailers for sale. Corpus Christi, Texas

Trailers for sale. Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph.

Texas photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Infor...

Always many more Americans on the road, housing themselves in modern or homemade trailers, contrast sharply with an old Southern home. Monticello, Florida

Always many more Americans on the road, housing themselves in modern o...

Trailer camp. McAllen, Texas

Trailer camp. McAllen, Texas

Migrant camp, Weslaco, Texas. Local employment men say that there was no need for migrant labor to handle the citrus and vegetable crops in the valley, the local supply of labor being ample for this purpose. Most of the local labor is Mexican and the labor contractors favor Mexican labor over white labor, partly because the Mexican will work much cheaper than whites. One white woman who was a permanent resident (her husband was on WPA (Works Progress Administration/Work Projects Administration) said that the white people who lived in the valley, had no trouble with the Mexicans. The Mexicans were good neighbors, she said, always willing to share what they had. She said the white migrants who came into the valley and resented and misunderstood the Mexicans caused the trouble between the two races. Some towns in this section permit camping only in trailers. The charge for camping in tents is about fifty cents per week, including water, which in some cases must be carried four city blocks. Privies are tin, very bad condition. Garbage is collected only once a week, with large dumps of decaying fruits and vegetables scattered among the camps. Some of the white migrants in this camp were very suspicious of governmental activity, due to the use by south Texas newspapers of the term "concentration camps" referring to FSA (Farm Security Administration) camps

Migrant camp, Weslaco, Texas. Local employment men say that there was ...

Tourist camp, showing many modern trailers crowded together, some of the families remaining for weeks and months. Dade City, Florida

Tourist camp, showing many modern trailers crowded together, some of t...

Tom Tom Herb Tonic truck in transient labor cabin and trailer camp. Belle Glade, Florida

Tom Tom Herb Tonic truck in transient labor cabin and trailer camp. Be...

Articles on bureau top of trailer home of white migrant. Weslaco, Texas

Articles on bureau top of trailer home of white migrant. Weslaco, Texa...

The house trailer and the youngest little girl. Washington, Yakima Valley, Toppenish

The house trailer and the youngest little girl. Washington, Yakima Val...

Texas photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph.

Texas photographs - Farm Security Administration / Office of War Infor...

Former cowboy living in trailer home in midst of migrant camp, Weslaco, Texas. He has independent income and travels around the country

Former cowboy living in trailer home in midst of migrant camp, Weslaco...

The photographs in the Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph

The photographs in the Farm Security Administration / Office of War In...

Mother and child, white migrants, in trailer home near Edinburg, Texas

Mother and child, white migrants, in trailer home near Edinburg, Texas

Mr. Bias playing the fiddle in his trailer home. He is a former cowboy who travels over the country. He has a small private income. Weslaco, Texas

Mr. Bias playing the fiddle in his trailer home. He is a former cowboy...

Between Tulare and Fresno on U.S. 99. See general caption. Family inspect a house trailer with idea of purchase

Between Tulare and Fresno on U.S. 99. See general caption. Family insp...

Trailer camp. McAllen, Texas

Trailer camp. McAllen, Texas

Service station, used cars for sale. Trailers are parked very congested in section near road show and carnival. Alexandria, Louisiana

Service station, used cars for sale. Trailers are parked very congeste...

A trailer and a new house being built along the highway about a mile outside of Bath, Maine

A trailer and a new house being built along the highway about a mile o...

Trailer and car belonging to Paul Knight, construction worker at Fort Benning building new barracks. He pays two dollars for trailer space (only) in W.T. Willis' backyard, is from Stone Mountain, Atlanta, Georgia. He said the bad roads were one of the worst problems around there and agreed that things generally were bad and the government had better do something about it soon

Trailer and car belonging to Paul Knight, construction worker at Fort ...

Jones Trailer Sales and Restaurant; also road construction signs in front of trailer camp on highway near Fort Benning, Georgia

Jones Trailer Sales and Restaurant; also road construction signs in fr...

Sunset Trailer Camp, San Diego, California. The majority of the workers who have come into San Diego are apparently living in trailers. The county passed stringent sanitary laws when migratory agriculture workers came into the section some years ago and these laws prevent the Hooverville type of settlement. Rent for trailer space here is ten dollars per month with electricity and sanitary facilities, including showers and toilets, furnished

Sunset Trailer Camp, San Diego, California. The majority of the worker...

Construction foreman in his trailer home. San Diego, California. He has lived in a trailer for years and says, "Heck, I wouldn't have a house."

Construction foreman in his trailer home. San Diego, California. He ha...

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Bryant in their trailer about two miles out of Bath. Mr. Leslie Bryant works in the shipyard. They have been living in the trailer for two months. They could not rent in Bath and although a trailer cost them almost as much as a house, Mr. Bryant feels that it is a better investment because they do not know where they will go next in search of work when this "boom" is over. Bath, Maine

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Bryant in their trailer about two miles out of Bat...

Construction worker's trailer (home-made house car). He has a job at Camp Livingston. Alexandria, Louisiana

Construction worker's trailer (home-made house car). He has a job at C...

Mr. Luigi De Angelis, who works in Belair Construction job building defense housing project. He came from Lexington, Virginia and lives alone in trailer and pays two dollars a week for space and electricity in yard of local boarding house on highway near Fort Benning, Georgia

Mr. Luigi De Angelis, who works in Belair Construction job building de...

Trailer camp where construction workers and Army men are living. Camp Livingstone, near Alexandria, Louisiana

Trailer camp where construction workers and Army men are living. Camp ...

Metal shelters, tents, trailers of construction workers and Army families. Metal shelters rent for ten dollars a month, and trailer space is two dollars a week. Near Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia

Metal shelters, tents, trailers of construction workers and Army famil...

Half a house is brought from the trailer factory in Michigan to the site at the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Fontana project in western North Carolina. A light truck is sufficient to transport the section. The section contains half a living-dining room, all of a bedroom, and most of the closet space in the house. A second section contains the

Half a house is brought from the trailer factory in Michigan to the si...

Reverend Bullard, preacher, and family with trailer home. Alexandria, Louisiana

Reverend Bullard, preacher, and family with trailer home. Alexandria, ...

Trailer camp for construction workers at powder plant. Millington, Tennessee

Trailer camp for construction workers at powder plant. Millington, Ten...

Sign of trailer camp saying "No Vacancy." San Diego, California. These signs are frequently encountered in and near San Diego

Sign of trailer camp saying "No Vacancy." San Diego, California. These...

Mrs. Avery Hamblen, young wife of a shipyard worker hanging out wash in front of her trailer, where the two of them have lived for the past year. They are now looking for a house because of difficulties of living in trailer during winter months

Mrs. Avery Hamblen, young wife of a shipyard worker hanging out wash i...

Trailers for sale in Bath, Maine

Trailers for sale in Bath, Maine

Garbage cans at trailer camp. San Diego, California

Garbage cans at trailer camp. San Diego, California

Trailers where workers live in backyard of private home in Starke, Florida

Trailers where workers live in backyard of private home in Starke, Flo...

Trailers for sale with construction worker and his wife as possible prospective buyers, along main highway from Alexandria to Camp Beauregard, Louisiana

Trailers for sale with construction worker and his wife as possible pr...

Trailer and car occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Burton (refer to caption #42581). Bath, Maine

Trailer and car occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Burton (refer to captio...

Working on jigs, with dormitories in the background at the FSA (Farm Security Administration) trailer camp for defense workers. The dormitories at this project will accommodate, when finished, 952 single men. Dormitory residents will pay five dollars weekly for single rooms and three dollars and fifty cents weekly for each occupant sharing a double room. San Diego, California

Working on jigs, with dormitories in the background at the FSA (Farm S...

Trailer camp opposite United Aircraft where many Pratt and Whitney workers live with their families because of housing congestion in and near Hartford, Connecticut

Trailer camp opposite United Aircraft where many Pratt and Whitney wor...

The photographs in the Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph

The photographs in the Farm Security Administration / Office of War In...

This image is one of the images made by photographers working in Stryker's unit as it existed in a succession of government agencies: the Farm Security Administration (1937-1942). The photographs of the Farm S... More

FSA (Farm Security Administration) trailer camp for defense workers, situated a quarter mile from General Electric plant in Erie, Pennsylvania. There are 200 trailers here, occupied by childless couples and by families of one or two children

FSA (Farm Security Administration) trailer camp for defense workers, s...

The photographs in the Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph

The photographs in the Farm Security Administration / Office of War In...

This image is one of the images made by photographers working in Stryker's unit as it existed in a succession of government agencies: the Farm Security Administration (1937-1942). The photographs of the Farm S... More

Defense housing, Erie, Pennsylvania. A central utility building (right) with toilets, showers, and laundry facilities is maintained for every sixty trailers on the site. Each trailer, with its 25 x 50 foot plot of ground, is assured of privacy and plenty of sun and fresh air. Each trailer is equipped with a gasoline pressure stove, ice-box, davenport beds and gate leg tables. Each can accommodate up to four people

Defense housing, Erie, Pennsylvania. A central utility building (right...

Wife of defense worker setting table for dinner in trailer home. Trailer camp at Erie, Pennsylvania

Wife of defense worker setting table for dinner in trailer home. Trail...

Reading the newspaper outside his trailer home. Sarasota trailer park, Sarasota, Florida

Reading the newspaper outside his trailer home. Sarasota trailer park,...

General Electric worker from Alabama at dinner with family in trailer home. FSA (Farm Security Administration) camp, Erie, Pennsylvania

General Electric worker from Alabama at dinner with family in trailer ...

Sweeping up in front of trailer home. Sarasota trailer park, Sarasota, Florida

Sweeping up in front of trailer home. Sarasota trailer park, Sarasota,...

Sons of defense contruction workers living in trailer camp. Ocean View, outskirts of Norfolk, Virginia

Sons of defense contruction workers living in trailer camp. Ocean View...

Trailer home near Ford bomber plant. Ypsilanti, Michigan

Trailer home near Ford bomber plant. Ypsilanti, Michigan

Guest at Sarasota trailer park, Sarasota, Florida, washing his car

Guest at Sarasota trailer park, Sarasota, Florida, washing his car

Facilities at trailer camp for construction workers. Ocean View, outskirts of Norfolk, Virginia

Facilities at trailer camp for construction workers. Ocean View, outsk...

Children and their mother outside their trailer home. Sarasota trailer park, Sarasota, Florida

Children and their mother outside their trailer home. Sarasota trailer...

A used car lot adjacent to a trailer settlement of workers from Fort Bragg. Near Fayetteville, North Carolina

A used car lot adjacent to a trailer settlement of workers from Fort B...

Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Negatives

Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Negatives

Trailer camp where many defense workers live opposite Pratt and Whitney aircraft plant, East Hartford, Connecticut

Trailer camp where many defense workers live opposite Pratt and Whitne...

Previous

of 4

Next