83 Years Ago
A year before America entered World War II as a combatant, President Roosevelt declared that the United States would be the “Arsenal of Democracy.” This meant that we would support our allies in Great Britain by providing ships, trucks, and weapons. At that point, we began building arms plants and retooling existing industries to produce military equipment. The country began rationing vital materials, including steel, rubber, and gasoline.
Less remembered was the position that food held in that “arsenal.” The U.S. was committed to feeding as well as arming our allies.
The November 20, 1941 Colorado Transcript reminded Jefferson County farmers of their responsibility to increase agricultural production in the coming year. It also stressed that they should do so without procuring new equipment. It urged them to keep their fences and equipment in good repair, reuse what they had on hand, and if possible collect any available scrap metal and turn it in to support the war effort.
The photo above shows the Clear Creek valley during World War II, when it was full of small farms, orchards, and commercial gardens. The photo was captured by Senior Master Sergeant Stephen Bujhler Henderson of the US Army Air Forces, who was stationed at Lowry Field from 1943-1944.
Thank you to Wendy Weiman for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of November.
