American history chapters · 1929–1939 focus
The Great Depression
& Making Do.
Families stretched what they had. Communities looked for ways forward. Explore the hardship, resourcefulness and public response of the 1930s, alongside familiar foods and play traditions with their histories explained.
1929–1939 · Six moments in a longer history
Hardship. Response. Resilience.
Select a moment to explore its story.
The Great Depression · Work & Renewal
Work that left a lasting mark.
Explore six New Deal projects and the people whose labor shaped them. Choose a location to discover conservation, construction and the work of rebuilding livelihoods.
Selected, approximate project locations on modern state outlines. This is not a complete map of New Deal work. Several projects continued beyond this chapter’s 1939 endpoint; current park names may differ from their names during the Depression.
History on the shelves
Food, makers and a little time to play.
Read each product’s connection: an introduction during the era, earlier product or maker roots, or modern inspiration. Maker and mill dates describe their roots; current flavors and packages may be newer. Games appear as modern versions with their historic connections explained.
61 products in this chapter
The candy counter
The candy counter
Good & Plenty
Good & Plenty has a documented product introduction date of 1893. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$3.70
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The candy counter
Milk Duds
Milk Duds has a documented product introduction date of 1928. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$3.68
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The candy counter
Mounds
Mounds has a documented product introduction date of 1920. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.25
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The candy counter
Charleston Chew
Charleston Chew has a documented product introduction date of 1922. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$1.75
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The candy counter
Necco Wafers
NECCO Wafers has a documented product introduction date of 1847. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.00
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The candy counter
Zagnut
Zagnut has a documented product introduction date of 1930. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.25
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The candy counter
5th Avenue
5th Avenue has a documented product introduction date of 1936. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$3.31
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The candy counter
Boyer Mallo Cups
Boyer Mallo Cups has a documented product introduction date of 1936. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.54
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The candy counter
PayDay
PayDay has a documented product introduction date of 1932. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.25
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The candy counter
Zero Bar
Zero Bar has a documented product introduction date of 1920. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.25
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The candy counter
Baby Ruth
Baby Ruth has a documented product introduction date of 1921. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.00
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The candy counter
Abba-Zaba
Abba-Zaba has a documented product introduction date of 1922. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.25
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The candy counter
Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews
Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews has a documented product introduction date of 1917. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$1.97
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The candy counter
Fralinger's Saltwater Taffy
Fralinger’s Salt Water Taffy has a documented product introduction date of 1885. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$9.50
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The candy counter
Bonomo Turkish Taffy
Bonomo Turkish Taffy has a documented product introduction date of 1912. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.00
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The candy counter
Owhyee Butter Toffee
Owyhee Butter Toffee has a documented product introduction date of 1925. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$8.99
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The candy counter
Cherry Cocktail Bar
Cherry Cocktail Bar has a documented product introduction date of 1926. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$1.99
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The candy counter
Reed's Butterscotch Candy
Reed’s Butterscotch Candy has a documented product introduction date of 1893. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$1.35
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The candy counter
Wrigley’s Doublemint Chewing Gum
Wrigley’s Doublemint has a documented product introduction date of 1914. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$3.14
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The candy counter
Goo Goo Cluster
Goo Goo Cluster — original has a documented product introduction date of 1912. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
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The candy counter
Circus Peanuts
Spangler — Circus Peanuts maker has a documented maker roots date of 1906. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$4.75
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The candy counter
Boston Baked Beans
Boston Baked Beans — Ferrara maker has a documented maker roots date of 1908. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$0.50
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The candy counter
Charms Assorted Squares
Charms Assorted Squares has a documented product introduction date of 1912. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.25
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The candy counter
Clark Cups
Clark Cups — earlier Clark brand roots has a documented earlier brand roots date of 1917. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$1.75
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The candy counter
Cracker Jack
Cracker Jack — brand history has a documented earlier brand roots date of 1896. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$1.00
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The candy counter
Claeys Horehound Candy
Horehound Candy — Claeys maker has a documented maker roots date of 1919. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$3.25
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The candy counter
Life Savers Original
Life Savers — original brand history has a documented earlier brand roots date of 1912. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.19
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The candy counter
Slo Poke
Slo Poke has a documented product introduction date of 1926. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$2.00
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The candy counter
Sno-Caps
Sno-Caps has a documented product introduction date of 1927. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$3.37
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Coffee & gathering places
Coffee & gathering places
Horn & Hardart Coffee
Horn & Hardart has a documented maker roots date of 1888. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Price range: $15.00 through $16.00
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Coffee & gathering places
Horn & Hardart Coffee Decaf
Horn & Hardart has a documented maker roots date of 1888. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$17.00
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Coffee & gathering places
Cafe Du Monde Beignet Mix
Café du Monde has a documented maker roots date of 1862. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$5.49
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Coffee & gathering places
Cafe Du Monde Coffee and Chicory Decaf
Café du Monde has a documented maker roots date of 1862. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$10.50
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Coffee & gathering places
Café du Monde Coffee & Chicory
Café du Monde has a documented maker roots date of 1862. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$9.95
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Coffee & gathering places
Café du Monde French Roast Coffee
Café du Monde has a documented maker roots date of 1862. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$11.00
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The pantry shelves
The pantry shelves
Bauman’s Blended Fruit Butters
Bauman’s has a documented maker roots date of 1892. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Add to a history box
The pantry shelves
Bauman’s Classic Fruit Butters
Bauman’s has a documented maker roots date of 1892. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Add to a history box
The pantry shelves
Bauman’s Sweet Tomato Butter
Bauman’s has a documented maker roots date of 1892. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$6.00
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The pantry shelves
Reading Soda Works Birch Beers
Reading Soda Works has a documented maker roots date of 1921. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Add to a history box
The pantry shelves
Reading Soda Works Cream Sodas
Reading Soda Works has a documented maker roots date of 1921. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Add to a history box
The pantry shelves
Reading Soda Works Fruit Sodas
Reading Soda Works has a documented maker roots date of 1921. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Add to a history box
The pantry shelves
Reading Soda Works Ginger & Orchard Sodas
Reading Soda Works has a documented maker roots date of 1921. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
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The pantry shelves
Reading Soda Works Root Beers & Classics
Reading Soda Works has a documented maker roots date of 1921. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Add to a history box
The pantry shelves
Otterbein's Cookies
Otterbein’s has a documented maker roots date of 1881. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
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The pantry shelves
Cook's Vanilla Extracts
Cook’s Vanilla has a documented maker roots date of 1918. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Add to a history box
The pantry shelves
Cook’s Classic Baking Flavors
Cook’s Vanilla has a documented maker roots date of 1918. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Add to a history box
The pantry shelves
Cook’s Dessert & Spirits Flavors
Cook’s Vanilla has a documented maker roots date of 1918. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Add to a history box
The pantry shelves
Cook’s Fruit Flavorings
Cook’s Vanilla has a documented maker roots date of 1918. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Add to a history box
The pantry shelves
Fisher's Popcorn
Fisher’s Popcorn has a documented maker roots date of 1937. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Add to a history box
The pantry shelves
Virginia Diner Chocolate Nuts
Virginia Diner has a documented maker roots date of 1929. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Price range: $13.99 through $30.68
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The pantry shelves
Virginia Diner Flavored Peanuts
Virginia Diner has a documented maker roots date of 1929. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
Price range: $9.50 through $10.99
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The pantry shelves
Virginia Diner Red Skin Peanuts
Virginia Diner has a documented maker roots date of 1929. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$15.99
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The pantry shelves
Virginia Diner Salted Peanuts
Virginia Diner has a documented maker roots date of 1929. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$9.30
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The pantry shelves
New Hope Mills Old Fashioned Buckwheat Pancake Mix
New Hope Mills — Buckwheat Pancake Mix has a documented historic mill roots date of 1823. This listing connects to food history that existed by the 1930s. Its date does not establish that every current variety or package was available then, or that families facing hardship could afford this product.
$8.50
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Play Between the Chores
Play Between the Chores
Jacobs Ladder
Charles Dickens described a wooden Jacob’s Ladder in A Christmas Tree in 1850. This current tumbling-block toy connects to nineteenth-century play. That British account establishes the toy’s existence, not its popularity on the American frontier.
$7.75
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Play Between the Chores
Roy Toy Log Cabin Canvas Bag
Roy Toy traces its wooden log-building heritage to 1930. This current set connects to a maker whose story began during the Depression. It offers imaginative building play today; the maker history does not establish that every current set existed then or was affordable to every family.
$19.95
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Play Between the Chores
Roy Toy Farm Canvas Bag
Roy Toy traces its wooden log-building heritage to 1930. This current set connects to a maker whose story began during the Depression. It offers imaginative building play today; the maker history does not establish that every current set existed then or was affordable to every family.
$19.95
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Play Between the Chores
Roy Toy Log Farm in a Box
Roy Toy traces its wooden log-building heritage to 1930. This current set connects to a maker whose story began during the Depression. It offers imaginative building play today; the maker history does not establish that every current set existed then or was affordable to every family.
$11.95
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Play Between the Chores
Roy Toy Log Camp in a Box
Roy Toy traces its wooden log-building heritage to 1930. This current set connects to a maker whose story began during the Depression. It offers imaginative building play today; the maker history does not establish that every current set existed then or was affordable to every family.
$11.95
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Play Between the Chores
Roy Toy Fort Canvas Bag
Roy Toy traces its wooden log-building heritage to 1930. This current set connects to a maker whose story began during the Depression. It offers imaginative building play today; the maker history does not establish that every current set existed then or was affordable to every family.
$19.95
View product →Add to a history box
Play Between the Chores
Roy Toy Log Fort in a Box
Roy Toy traces its wooden log-building heritage to 1930. This current set connects to a maker whose story began during the Depression. It offers imaginative building play today; the maker history does not establish that every current set existed then or was affordable to every family.
$11.95
View product →Add to a history box
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People before nostalgia
Making do meant different things.
A crisis in everyday life
Unemployment, bank failures and lost savings brought uncertainty and deprivation. Household resourcefulness cannot erase the hunger, displacement and choices people faced.
Read the accounts ↗Listening to ordinary people
Federal Writers’ Project interviews collected life histories during the Depression. Their voices show many experiences, rather than one universal story of a thrifty household.
Explore the life histories ↗Public work and shared support
New Deal programs addressed unemployment and economic insecurity. The CCC supported conservation work; the WPA employed people on public projects. Access and experiences varied across communities.
Explore work relief ↗Drought, movement and family
The Dust Bowl added an environmental crisis to economic hardship. Families leaving affected regions faced uncertain work and difficult living conditions. Photographs and personal accounts help us see the people behind the familiar images.
Explore the migration sources ↗A period connection, carefully explained
Familiar comforts.
Different circumstances.
These shelves feature present-day foods and toys with roots by the 1930s or explained connections to older play. A founding date is not proof of affordability, universal use or an unchanged recipe. The Depression continued beyond this chapter’s 1939 timeline endpoint.
Give a little American history
A story worth sharing.
Share eligible pantry favorites, familiar candy or modern games in an Americana gift box, carrying their maker and product stories forward. Review the available products and packing limits in the builder.
Build an Americana gift box →