Hooverville Facts for Kids

A Hooverville in Seattle, 1933.

Hoovervilles were makeshift towns, also known as shantytowns, built by people who lost their homes during the Great Depression in the United States. This difficult time happened in the 1930s. These towns were named after Herbert Hoover, who was the U.S. president when the Depression began. Many people blamed him for the hard times. The name "Hooverville" was first used by Charles Michelson. Hundreds of these communities appeared across the country.

Before the Great Depression, some people were already homeless. But the Depression made the problem much worse. Many cities had places for homeless people to stay, but there weren't enough beds for everyone. People started gathering in these shantytowns, often near places that offered free food. These settlements were sometimes on private land, but they were often allowed because there was no other choice. Later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt started programs to help, but Hoovervilles still remained.

Paterson, New Jersey 1937. Makeshift homes on "Molly Jan Brook."

What Were Hoovervilles?
Life in a Hooverville Community
Famous Hoovervilles Across the U.S.
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What Were Hoovervilles?

People living in Hoovervilles built their homes from whatever they could find. Some skilled builders used stone. Most, however, used wood from old crates, cardboard, metal scraps, or other available materials. These small homes usually had a simple stove, some bedding, and basic cooking tools. Men, women, and children all lived in Hoovervilles. Many residents relied on help from charities or asked for food from those who had homes.

People also created other terms to show their feelings about President Hoover. For example, "Hoover blankets" were old newspapers used to keep warm. A "Hoover flag" was an empty pocket turned inside out, showing a lack of money. "Hoover leather" was cardboard used to fix worn-out shoe soles. A "Hoover wagon" was a car pulled by horses because the owner couldn't afford gas.

After 1940, the economy started to get better. More jobs became available, and unemployment went down. Programs were put in place to remove the shantytowns, and Hoovervilles eventually disappeared.

Life in a Hooverville Community

Many Hoovervilles were simply groups of shacks without much organization. This makes it hard to know exactly how many people lived in them. Some reports say they were mostly men, while others show families with women and children.

One special Hooverville in Seattle, Washington, was very organized. It even had an unofficial "mayor" named Jesse Jackson. The city allowed this community to exist and had some basic rules for building and cleanliness. The "mayor" helped manage the town. Records from this Seattle Hooverville show that people from many different backgrounds lived there.

Hoovervilles were home to people of many nationalities and ethnic groups. The tough economic times affected everyone, including immigrants and migrant workers. These groups often made up a large part of the Hooverville populations across the country.

In Seattle's Hooverville, for example, people from Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Native American communities, Costa Rica, Chile, and Black communities lived together. There were also white residents from England, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Italy, Russia, and Scandinavia. Many poor migrants from the Midwest and Southern states also found their way there.

People in Seattle's Hooverville often showed a spirit of kindness and tolerance. It was noted that the usual social barriers between different groups often disappeared. Black and white men might share homes and become friends. It was a place where people helped each other, no matter their background.

Famous Hoovervilles Across the U.S.

Bonus Army marchers in Washington, D.C.

Hundreds of Hoovervilles existed across the United States. Here are a few notable ones:

Anacostia, District of Columbia: In 1932, a large group of World War I veterans, known as the Bonus Army, set up a Hooverville here. They were asking for early payment of money they were owed for their service. Many veterans traveled long distances to join this movement. At its peak, about 15,000 people lived in this camp. The camp was later cleared by the U.S. Army.
Central Park, New York City: Many homeless families camped out in the Great Lawn area of Central Park. This area was once an empty reservoir.
Riverside Park, New York City: Another shantytown was located in Riverside Park at 72nd Street during the Depression.
Seattle, Washington: Seattle had eight Hoovervilles. Its largest one, located near the Port of Seattle, lasted from 1932 to 1941.
St. Louis, Missouri: In 1930, St. Louis had one of the largest Hoovervilles in America. It was made up of four different areas. This community was racially mixed and relied on help from charities. It even had its own unofficial mayor and churches. It remained a strong community until 1936, when government programs helped clear the area.