Gallery 2: Hermiston in the Early 1940s

Northeast Oregon Now
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Depot Photos
Construction workers are seen here in front of an igloo under construction at the Umatilla Army Depot. The Library of Congress has dozens of photos taken by photographer Russell Lee during the depot's construction in the early 1940s.
PHOTOS COURESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Depot Housing
Housing was scarce in the early 1940s. Tertle Town, where Victory Square Park is now, was home to temporary housing for depot workers.
Depot worker sleeps in car
Not everyone who came to work in Hermiston had housing to live in. Russell Lee took this photograph of a depot worker who slept in his car.
Cabin court in Hermiston was built in two weeks for workers at the depot. Each unit of one room rented for eight dollars per week.
Cabin court in Hermiston was built in two weeks for workers at the depot. Each unit of one room rented for eight dollars per week.
Workman builds house
Some of the more industrious men took it upon themselves to build their own homes. Here a depot worker nears completion of his home.
In other instances, existing buildings were used for housing. Here a depot construction worker is shown in a converted wood shed used as shelter.
In other instances, existing buildings were used for housing. Here a depot construction worker is shown in a converted wood shed used as shelter.
Depot worker installs plumbing
“All the modern amenities.” Here a depot worker installs plumbing in his house. In many instances, however, bathrooms were not included.

Gallery 3

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