History
Article Series: 1937: Russell Lee in the Lumber Towns

A photo-essay series built from Russell Lee’s 1937 Farm Security Administration photographs of Koochiching County’s lumber towns, held by the Library of Congress and in the public domain.

In August and September 1937, Russell Lee photographed lumber camps in Itasca and Koochiching counties. Ten Library of Congress frames show the table, the horses and the buildings.

Watch the video summary on YouTube ▸ This article was created with AI assistanceAI Model: Claude by AnthropicSources:Library of CongressPrints & Photographs DivisionView on Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives →AI-generated content may contain errors. Community members are encouraged to verify important details independently.Report an Error · info@ifalls.news In the... Read more

Lumberjacks at dinner at lumber camp near Effie, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Sept. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030671-D (b&w film neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780665/

Washing dishes in lumber camp. Effie, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Sept. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-DIG-fsa-8b19964 (digital file from original neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780663/

Serving table in former mess hall. Lumber camp at Craigville, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030405-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780412/

Horses being watered at lumber camp near Effie, Minnesota. The trough was made from a log with a broad axe. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Sept. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030676-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780670/

Foreman of the lumber camp at Effie, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Sept. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF33-011271-M2 (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017735729/

Chains at lumber camp near Effie, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Sept. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030674-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780668/

Remains of blacksmith's forge. Abandoned lumber camp. Craigville, Minnesota — Remains of blacksmith’s forge. Abandoned lumber camp. Craigville, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030418-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780425/

Old sled runners in abandoned lumber camp near Gemmel, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030297-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780306/

Buildings in abandoned lumber camp near Gemmel, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030310-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780319/

"Frenchy" caretaker of the old lumber camp, Gemmel, Minnesota — “Frenchy” caretaker of the old lumber camp, Gemmel, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF33-011300-M2 (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017735864/

Craigville, 1937: a beer parlor, a saloon barber and a mess hall

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Craigville, 1937: a beer parlor, a saloon barber and a mess hall

Russell Lee's 1937 photographs of Craigville, Itasca County, from the Library of Congress: a main street, beer parlors, a barber shop in a saloon and a lumber camp.

Dwelling on main street of Craigville, Minnesota. Lumbering "frontier" town — Dwelling on main street of Craigville, Minnesota. Lumbering “frontier” town. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030307-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780316/

Main street. Craigville, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Sept. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF342-T01-030632-A (b&w film dup. neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780626/

Beer parlor and barber shop. Craigville, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030309-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780318/

Buildings, beer parlor and tar paper dwelling. Craigville, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030306-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780315/

Lumberjacks in beer parlor. Craigville, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030277-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780287/

Barber shop in corner of saloon. Craigville, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030319-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780328/

Man in front of store, Craigville, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Nov. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF33-011294-M4 (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017735839/

Residents of Craigville, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF33-011295-M4 (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017735844/

Ericsburg 1937: Mill Machinery, a Store and Artesian Wells

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Ericsburg 1937: Mill Machinery, a Store and Artesian Wells

Russell Lee's 1937 photographs of Ericsburg, from the Library of Congress: an excelsior mill, a general store, artesian wells, a log barn and a sawmill.

Detail of abandoned excelsior mill. Ericsburg, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030376-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780385/

Machinery in abadoned excelsior mill. Ericsburg, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030359-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780368/

Remains of boiler at old excelsior factory. Ericsburg, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030375-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780384/

Corner of general store, Ericsburg, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF33-011252-M3 (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017735643/

General storekeeper looking over bill, Ericsburg, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF33-011252-M2 (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017735642/

Desk of storekeeper. Ericsburg, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030345-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780354/

Small artesian wells contribute to the water supply of Ericsburg, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030570-E (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780566/

Decay of sawmill at Ericsburg, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Sept. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF342-T01-030502-A (b&w film dup. neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780509/

Detail of log barn. Ericsburg, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030374-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780383/

Store at Ericsburg, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Sept. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF342-T01-030494-A (b&w film dup. neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780501/

Gemmell in 1937: A Boarded School and an Old Hotel

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Gemmell in 1937: A Boarded School and an Old Hotel

The Library of Congress holds 10 photographs Russell Lee made in Gemmell in August 1937: a boarded school, an old hotel, a post office and a lumber camp left behind.

Abandoned store building and old sidewalk on what was the main street. Gemmel, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030291-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780300/

Boarded up and abandoned consolidated school in Gemmel, Minnesota. Logging "bust" town — Boarded up and abandoned consolidated school in Gemmel, Minnesota. Logging “bust” town. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030360-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780369/

Entrance to consolidated school, now boarded up. Gemmel, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030366-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780375/

Front of old hotel. Gemmel, Minnesota. Lower part is occupied by an old woman. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF342-T01-030521-A (b&w film dup. neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780527/

Side entrance to old hotel. Gemmel, Minnesota. It is now occupied by an old woman. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030573-E (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780569/

Post office. Gemmel, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030363-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780372/

Old log hoist in abandoned lumber camp. Gemmel, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030283-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780293/

Old sled for transporting logs from forests at abandoned lumbercamp near Gemmel, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030321-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780330/

Old resident of corner of beer parlor. Gemmel, Minnesota. Former prosperous lumbering center. Note sign and battery-operated radio. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030282-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780292/

Family and brother-in-law living in tarpaper shack in abandoned lumbercamp. Gemmel, Minnesota. Photograph by Russell Lee, 1937 Aug. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. LC-USF34-030315-D (b&w film nitrate neg.). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017780324/

Telephone Operators and Boarding Houses: Littlefork in 1937

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Telephone Operators and Boarding Houses: Littlefork in 1937

Ten 1937 photographs by Russell Lee show Littlefork, Minnesota, from a telephone switchboard to a threshing crew, now held by the Library of Congress.

▸ This article was created with AI assistanceAI Model: Claude by AnthropicSources:Library of CongressPrints & Photographs DivisionView on Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives →AI-generated content may contain errors. Community members are encouraged to verify important details independently.Report an Error · info@ifalls.news In 1937 the photographer Russell Lee worked... Read more