During World War II, Americans were encouraged by the
government to plant "Victory Gardens." The produce
was canned or preserved and helped to feed the family during the year. This is a typical McIntyre victory garden from 1943.
During an
earlier period, that of the Great Depression, the Coal Company encouraged the planting of gardens by sponsoring and awarding prizes to
the best gardens in town. Since most of the immigrants to McIntyre came from
rural areas in southern and eastern Europe, the techniques of planting and raising
crops were well-known to them.
Photo: courtesy Archives Department, Indiana University of
Pennsylvania.