Forrest City Collection

ARKANSAS: REFUGEE CAMP. View of the camp for flood refugees in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Edwin Locke, March 1937

FLOOD REFUGEES, 1937. The kitchen tent at a flood refugee camp in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans, February 1937

FLOOD REFUGEES, 1937. Flood refugees waiting in a food line at a refugee camp in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans, February 1937

FLOOD REFUGEES, 1937. Boys waiting in a food line at a flood refugee camp in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEE CAMP. Tents in the camp for black flood refugees in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Edwin Locke, March 1937

FLOOD REFUGEES, 1937. Household goods of a family moving into the camp for flood refugees at Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Edwin Locke, 1937

ARKANSAS: FLOOD CAMP, 1937. Washing up facilities in a camp for white flood refugees at Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans, February 1937

ARKANSAS: FLOOD CAMP, 1937. Setting up a tent in a camp for white flood refugees at Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans, February 1937

ARKANSAS: FLOOD CAMP, 1937. A young girl in a camp for white flood refugees at Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans, February 1937

ARKANSAS: FLOOD CAMP, 1937. A family moving into a camp for white flood refugees at Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEES, 1937. A family of flood refugees and their salvaged household goods at the camp at Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEES, 1937. Flood refugees in line for a meal at the camp at Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEES, 1937. Flood refugees wearing identification tags after registering at the camp at Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

FLOOD REFUGEES, 1937. People wearing identification tags after registering at a flood refugee camp in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEES, 1937. A street of tents at the camp at Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEE CAMP. Salvaged furniture and household goods at the camp at Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEES, 1937. Flood refugees waiting to register at the camp at Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEE CAMP. Salvaged furniture at the camp at Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEES, 1937. A flood refugee washing clothes in the refugee camp at Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEE, 1937. Flood refugees in a temporary infirmary operated by the Red Cross at Forrest City, Arkansas. Photographed by Walker Evans, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEE CAMP. View of the camp for flood refugees in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Edwin Locke or Walker Evans, March 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEES, 1937. A young flood refugee at the camp at Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEE CAMP. Poultry saved from the flood at the refugee camp at Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEES, 1937. A cotton compress being used by the Red Cross as a temporary infirmary in Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEES, 1937. Flood refugees at the camp at Forrest City, Arkansas, after the Ohio River flood. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

FLOOD REFUGEES, 1937. Girls waiting in a food line at a flood refugee camp in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans, February 1937

RED CROSS INFIRMARY, 1937. Sick flood refugees in the Red Cross temporary infirmary at a flood refugee camp in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans, February 1937

RED CROSS INFIRMARY, 1937. A sick flood refugee in the Red Cross temporary infirmary at a flood refugee camp in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans, February 1937

FLOOD REFUGEES, 1937. People waiting in a food line at a flood refugee camp in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Edwin Locke, February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEE, 1937. A young flood refugee at a camp in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Edwin Locke, 1937

FLOOD REFUGEES, 1937. People waiting in line at camp for flood refugees in Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans, 1937

FLOOD REFUGEES, 1937. African Americans in line at mealtime in a flood refugee temporary infirmary operated by the Red Cross at Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans in February 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEE, 1937. An African American girl seated by her makeshift bed in a flood refugee temporary infirmary operated by the Red Cross at Forrest City, Arkansas

ARKANSAS: REFUGEE, 1937. Household goods of an African American flood refugee in a temporary infirmary operated by the Red Cross at Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Walker Evans in February 1937

MOBILE GROCERY, 1938. An African American sharecropper making a purchase from the traveling grocery store truck, Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Russell Lee in September 1938

FLOOD REFUGEE, 1937. A boy is served a meal in a camp for white flood refugees, Forrest City, Arkansas. Photograph by Edwin Locke in Febuary 1937

ARKANSAS: REFUGEE, 1937. A flood refugee in a temporary infirmary operated by the Red Cross at Forrest City, Arkansas. Photographed by Walker Evans, February 1937

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"Forrest City: A Haven in Times of Crisis" In 1937, Forrest City, Arkansas became a refuge for those affected by the devastating floods that swept through the region. The city transformed into a temporary home for flood refugees, offering shelter, food, and support during this challenging period. As families sought solace from the rising waters, tents dotted the landscape of Forrest City's refugee camp. These humble dwellings provided much-needed respite for both black and white flood victims alike. In one corner of the camp stood tents specifically designated for black refugees – a testament to unity amidst adversity. Lines formed daily as people patiently awaited their turn at mealtime. Young boys eagerly joined their families in these queues, displaying resilience beyond their tender years. The kitchen tent bustled with activity as volunteers worked tirelessly to provide nourishment to all who sought it. The camp also served as a place where belongings were carefully unpacked and organized within each family's new living space. Household goods took on newfound importance as they symbolized hope and stability amid chaos. Forrest City's compassion extended beyond basic necessities; hygiene facilities were set up to ensure cleanliness and dignity remained intact even in times of crisis. Families washed away their worries while setting up tents side by side with fellow flood victims - creating an atmosphere of camaraderie that helped ease the burden carried by all. Through these glimpses into history captured in photographs from 1937, we witness Forrest City's unwavering commitment to providing sanctuary during one of nature's most destructive forces. It stands as a reminder that even amidst tragedy, communities can come together to offer comfort and support when it is needed most.