The Memphis on TNE Red!

Dorothea Lange

  • Photos Courtesy of the Collection of John R. Ballew Dorothea Lange (May 26, 1895-Oct. 11, 1965), born Dorothea Margaretta Nutzhorn, was an American documentary photographer and photojournalist best known for her Depression-era work for the Farm Security Administration (FSA). Lange’s photographs influenced the development of documentary photography and humanized the consequences of the Great Depression.
    Photos Courtesy of the Collection of John R. Ballew Dorothea Lange (May 26, 1895-Oct. 11, 1965), born Dorothea Margaretta Nutzhorn, was an American documentary photographer and photojournalist best known for her Depression-era work for the Farm Security Administration (FSA). Lange’s photographs influenced the development of documentary photography and humanized the consequences of the Great Depression.
  • The “Spit and Whittle” club meets on the steps of the bank in Memphis.
    The “Spit and Whittle” club meets on the steps of the bank in Memphis.
  • A photograph, by Dorothea Lange, of a meeting of the “Spit and Whittle” club on the steps of the bank in downtown Memphis in 1938. The bank still stands, and it would be cool to try to recreate this photo. I wonder if any stories ever got the Texas Tall Tale treatment when these gentlemen assembled. Looking at the man on the far right, my feeling is that he was an old-time trail cowboy. He’s the right age, and he has just the right look about him.
    A photograph, by Dorothea Lange, of a meeting of the “Spit and Whittle” club on the steps of the bank in downtown Memphis in 1938. The bank still stands, and it would be cool to try to recreate this photo. I wonder if any stories ever got the Texas Tall Tale treatment when these gentlemen assembled. Looking at the man on the far right, my feeling is that he was an old-time trail cowboy. He’s the right age, and he has just the right look about him.
  • A photo of downtown Memphis in 1937 by Dorothea Lange.
    A photo of downtown Memphis in 1937 by Dorothea Lange.
  • Dorothea Lange was a worldrenowned photographer who photographed Memphis in 1937. The government paid her to show the world what the Dust Bowl and Depression were doing to the people of Texas. She said that the people were “tractored out;” that they did not leave by choice. The people loved Memphis, but they just could not afford to stay there.
    Dorothea Lange was a worldrenowned photographer who photographed Memphis in 1937. The government paid her to show the world what the Dust Bowl and Depression were doing to the people of Texas. She said that the people were “tractored out;” that they did not leave by choice. The people loved Memphis, but they just could not afford to stay there.
  • A photograph, by Dorothea Lange, of a family of farmers, who walked from Arkansas through Memphis in 1937. Bound for the lower Rio Grande Valley, where they hope to pick cotton, the family are flood refugees. Can you imagine the story behind these people? Tell me what you think.
    A photograph, by Dorothea Lange, of a family of farmers, who walked from Arkansas through Memphis in 1937. Bound for the lower Rio Grande Valley, where they hope to pick cotton, the family are flood refugees. Can you imagine the story behind these people? Tell me what you think.
  • The Memphis on TNE Red!
    The Memphis on TNE Red!
A Memphis native, John R. Ballew taught history for 25 years in the trenches of the Texas public school system. He is a triple master: a Master of Science from Texas A&M University- Corp u s Christi, a master plumber from Te x a s and a master mason. He and his wife have been a couple since they were 11 years old and have six grandchildren.Ballew’s Facebook group, “The Memphis on TNE Red,”…

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