1900s Florida Orange Grove African American Labor Social History Photos (8)

Exceptional primary source material w/ many details and layers. Well dressed Caucasian & African American man posing with a level of ownership around an orange tree suggests at least an integrated management of the grove and/or orchard. The families appear to be living in modest comfort though all appear to be working, the children with goat carts hauling produce sacks. Only two children are barefoot, possibly because they are young. In one image, that very same man lovingly poses with all of the children.

A final image that accompanied the lot (albeit w/ different lighting and size / format) suggests another layer of ownership posed w/ rail workers on a wooded connecting track. Presumably this was to transport from the fields. Smallest images are thin unmounted paper (3.75 x 5.75") and largest on thick photo paper measures just under 5 x 7". Blank backs w/ minor edge and corner wear. Only one image suffers a corner chip that does not affect subject.