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October 1939. "Ex-Nebraska farmer now developing farm out of the stumps. Bonner County, Idaho." View full size. Medium-format nitrate negative by Dorothea Lange for the Farm Security Administration.
My grandfather wore a similar style hat all the time. He was an Alabama cotton farmer (Jefferson County) who would still use mules to plow the fields. Hats served as a shade from the hot summer sun, a temporary water holder for giving the mules a drink, and when thoroughly soaked in water, the hat would keep your head cool as the water evaporated. Usually farm folks had two or three different hats -- a work hat, a "meeting hat" for when you went to town, and a dress hat for church. Same story with shoes too as I remember it.
Wouldn't it be great if hats were worn for more than just style today? I'd wear a hat like this. With all the talk of skin cancer, I'd like to see them become more than a fashion statement. Of, course, I don't think I could ever look as great as this gentleman. I'd bet he was a pleasure to talk to.
My grandfather wore a similar style hat all the time. He was an Alabama cotton farmer (Jefferson County) who would still use mules to plow the fields. Hats served as a shade from the hot summer sun, a temporary water holder for giving the mules a drink, and when thoroughly soaked in water, the hat would keep your head cool as the water evaporated. Usually farm folks had two or three different hats...a work hat, a meeting hat when you went to town, and a dress hat for church. Same story with shoes too as I remember it.
Lyle Lovett's grandpa, possibly?
This is why NONE of you should wear your "cowboy" hats or anything else that takes your fancy from J Peterman's. Do you see how this man looks, how right that hat fits him in every way? On you it has the exact opposite effect. I'm begging you, put the hat down and just walk away.
Rockwellian.
[Or Grant Woodian. - Dave]
That's what you call your iconic American face.
Sheer timeless quality.
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