Facts About McComb Homesteads Project

Title

Facts About McComb Homesteads Project

Source of Digital Item

National Agricultural Library

Subject

subsistence homesteads

Excerpt

McComb Homesteads were initiated by the Subsistence Homesteads Division of the Department of the Interior, December 15, 1933. By Executive Order the project was transferred to the Resettlement Administration on May 15, 1935 and it is now under the supervision of the Farm Security Administration.

Low-income families of McComb have been resettled where they will have an opportunity to increase their real income by producing a large portion of their food requirements on subsistence homesteads. Employment of those families is in the railroad shops, textile mills, wood-working shops and other small industries that operate on a seasonal and part-time basis.

264 acres of hill land comprise the project tract. The soil is sandy loam, underlaid with clay, and is suitable to the growth of all of the crops common in the area. Individual homesites average 8 acres, on which each family will raise vegetables, fruit, poultry, and livestock. Each tract contains some wooded land and a truck garden, and all have combination garage and well house and a combination cow stall, chicken house, and store room. Land surrounding a 12-acre lake is to be developed into a park and recreation area. Project roads have been completed. Children of school age are transported to McComb by county school bus.

Eighteen houses arc frame clapboard construction and two arc frame shingle. All have modern plumbing and are wired for electricity, although connection with a source of current has not been made yet. Individual wells and gasoline pumps provide water and septic tanks and tile drains dispose of sewage. Fireplaces will furnish heat. One house has three rooms, 8 have four rooms, 10 have five rooms, and 1 has six rooms.

Creator

Farm Security Administration

Date

n.d.