The Tygart Valley Homesteads, located near Dailey, West Virginia, was a New Deal project established during the Great Depression. Here's a summary of what we know:
Origins and Purpose:
Created in 1933 by the Subsistence Homesteads Division (SHD) as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal.
Aimed to replicate the success of the Arthurdale homestead project and provide relief to unemployed miners, timber workers, and farmers.
Location and Residents:
Situated near Dailey and Valley Bend in Randolph County, West Virginia.
Targeted families struggling during the Depression, similar to Arthurdale.
Project Goals:
Offered self-sufficiency opportunities through subsistence farms and land ownership.
Residents received modest homes with land in exchange for contributing labor to community projects.
Likely aimed to create a self-sustaining community like Arthurdale.
Possible Differences from Arthurdale:
Might have been larger in scale as it was the biggest of three such projects in West Virginia.
There could have been variations in the specific community endeavors compared to Arthurdale.
Challenges and Legacy:
Likely faced similar challenges as Arthurdale, such as limited land and adapting to a new agricultural lifestyle.
Information on its long-term success is less available compared to Arthurdale.
However, it undoubtedly provided a fresh start for many families during the Great Depression.
Finding More Information:
Conduct a web search for "Tygart Valley Homesteads Dailey West Virginia".
Explore websites of the National Archives, West Virginia Division of Archives and History, or the Randolph County Public Library and Historical Society.
Look for books on the history of the New Deal Subsistence Homesteads Division.
While the Tygart Valley Homesteads project may not have the same level of documented history as Arthurdale, these resources can be a starting point for further exploration.
Eleanor Roosevelt's connection to West Virginia is centered around the town of Arthurdale, the nation's first New Deal homestead project. Here's a breakdown of their history together:
The Great Depression Strikes: During the 1930s, the Great Depression hit West Virginia particularly hard, leaving many miners and farmers unemployed.
Arthurdale's Birth: In 1933, as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal legislation, the Subsistence Homesteads Division created Arthurdale. This project aimed to relocate struggling families and provide them with a chance to become self-sufficient.
Eleanor's Involvement: First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt became a champion for Arthurdale. She used her influence to secure government approval and ensure the homes had modern amenities like indoor plumbing and insulation. She even played a role in selecting the refrigerators for each house.
Arthurdale's Legacy: Nicknamed "Eleanor's Little Village," Arthurdale became a symbol of hope during the Depression. While the project faced challenges, it provided a fresh start for many families.
Eleanor Roosevelt's dedication to Arthurdale reflects her broader commitment to social reform. Her work in West Virginia stands as a testament to her efforts to improve the lives of Americans during a difficult time in the country's history.
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Eleanor Roosevelt was a strong advocate for the Arthurdale homestead project,
there's no direct historical record showing a specific connection between her and Dailey, West Virginia.
Here's what we do know:
Eleanor Roosevelt championed the Arthurdale project and played a significant role in its development.
The federal government, following the success of Arthurdale, established two more subsistence homestead communities in West Virginia: Dailey (Tygart Valley) and Red House.
It's possible that Eleanor Roosevelt may have been aware of the Dailey project as part of the broader New Deal homesteading efforts. However, there's no evidence of her visiting Dailey or being directly involved in its development, unlike her prominent role in Arthurdale.
The development of the Arthurdale project was a response to the desperate situation many West Virginians faced during the Great Depression.
Here's a closer look at the key steps:
The Need Arises: By 1 933, the Great Depression had devastated West Virginia's coal industry, leaving many miners and farmers out of work and living in poverty.
First Lady Takes Notice: Eleanor Roosevelt, known for her social activism, visited struggling coal camps in West Virginia and witnessed the hardship firsthand.
Planning Begins: Deeply affected by the conditions, Eleanor Roosevelt lobbied for government intervention. The Subsistence Homesteads Division (SHD) within the Department of the Interior took charge of planning the project.
Finding the Land: The federal government purchased 1,200 acres of land near Reedsville, West Virginia, from Richard Arthur. The project was initially called "Reedsville Project" but was later renamed Arthurdale after the landowner.
Building the Community: Government workers designed and built 165 homesteads, each with 2-4 acres of land. These homes were modern marvels for the time, featuring electricity, indoor plumbing, and even some appliances.
Selecting the Residents: The SHD carefully selected families to participate in Arthurdale. The goal was to find individuals with farming or handicraft skills who were motivated to build a new life.
A Progressive Approach: Arthurdale wasn't just about housing; it aimed to create a self-sufficient community. The project included a school with a progressive curriculum and cooperative ventures like a dairy and a furniture factory.
Arthurdale became a symbol of hope during the Depression, offering struggling families a chance to rebuild their lives. While the project faced challenges like limited land and transitioning to a new lifestyle, it remains a significant chapter in West Virginia's history and Eleanor Roosevelt's legacy.
The project in Dailey, West Virginia, known as the Tygart Valley Homesteads, was very similar to the Arthurdale project and stemmed from the same initiative. Here's a breakdown of what we know:
Origins: Conceived in 1933 as part of the New Deal's Subsistence Homesteads Division, the Tygart Valley Homesteads project aimed to replicate the success of Arthurdale.
Location and Target Population: The project was situated near Dailey and Valley Bend in Randolph County, West Virginia. It targeted unemployed miners, timber workers, and farmers, just like Arthurdale.
Project Goals: Similar to Arthurdale, the Tygart Valley project aimed to provide struggling families with subsistence farms and opportunities for self-sufficiency. Residents would receive modest homes with land in exchange for contributing labor to community projects.
Key Differences: While details are a bit scarce, there might have been some variations in scale. Dailey was the largest of three such projects in West Virginia, so it could have been bigger than Arthurdale. There's also a possibility of a slightly different mix of community endeavors compared to Arthurdale.
Challenges and Legacy: The Tygart Valley project likely faced similar challenges as Arthurdale, such as limited land and adjusting to a new agricultural lifestyle. Information on its long-term success is not as readily available as Arthurdale's, but it undoubtedly provided a fresh start for many families during the Great Depression.
Unfortunately, compared to Arthurdale, finding in-depth information about the Dailey project might be more difficult. However, you can try searching for terms like "Tygart Valley Homesteads Dailey West Virginia" or explore resources related to the New Deal homesteading programs to potentially find more details.
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