Russell Werner Lee was born on July 21, 1903 in Ottawa, Illinois. He attended LeHigh University and received a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1925. He became interested in photography and purchased a camera. He became a photographer for the United States Farm Security Administration (FSA) between 1936 and 1942, and is best known for his photographic documentation of the effect of the Great Depression. He eventually settled in Austin, Texas where he established the photography program in the art department of the University of Texas, teaching from 1965 until he retired in 1973. He died on August 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-three.
He came to Waco in 1939 to take photos to document how the Depression had affected life in a small town. Most, but not all, of these photos were taken on the Waco City Square.
These photos are a from the Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration-Office of War Information Photograph Collection.
The Jockey Club Barber Shop
131 S. 2nd
The Jockey Club Barber Shop
131 S. 2nd
The Jockey Club Barber Shop
131 S. 2nd
The Jockey Club Barber Shop
131 S. 2nd
Robert L. Melton Feed Store
118 S. 2nd
Robert L. Melton Feed Store
118 S. 2nd
West Side of Square
Corner of S. 2nd and Death Alley
Brazos Fish Market
Ernest Henry, Owner
114 S. 2nd
Brazos Fish Market
Ernest Henry, Owner
114 S. 2nd
Brazos Fish Market
Ernest Henry, Owner
114 S. 2nd
Peddler on the Square 
Peddler on the Square 
On the Square 
On the Square 
Corner of S. 2nd and South Side Square
Franklin is a half block behind them.
Corner of S. 2nd and South Side Square
Franklin is a half block behind them.
On the Square 
We believe this is John Fears, the only watch repairman on the Square in 1939.
His shop was at 206 1/2 South Side Square.
We believe this is John Fears, the only watch repairman on the Square in 1939.
His shop was at 206 1/2 South Side Square.
On the Square 
On the Square 
Bootblacks on the Square 
Fairway Store
218-20 South Side Square
Wm. C. Copeland, Charles F. Young,
John Greve, owners
Brazos Fish Market
Ernest Henry, Owner
114 S. 2nd
Peddler on the Square 
Peddler on the Square 
Bootblack in front of
Fairway Store
218-20 South Side Square
Wm. C. Copeland, Charles F. Young,
John Greve, owners
On the Square 
On the Square
Waco City Hall in background
Peddler on the Square 
On the Square 
Repairing a car on the Square 
On the Square 
These men are in front of the Palace Drug Store on the South Side of the Square. 
George Pappas, Junk Dealer
202 1/2 South Side Square
On the Square 
On the Square 
South Side of Square 
Fairway Store
218-20 South Side Square
Wm. C. Copeland, Charles F. Young,
John Greve, owners
Fairway Store
218-20 South Side Square
Wm. C. Copeland, Charles F. Young,
John Greve, owners
On the Square 
Corner of S. 2nd and South Side Square
Franklin Avenue is a half block to the left.
On the Square 
On the Square 
On the Square 
On the Square 
South Side of Square 
South Side of Square 
South Side of Square 
South Side of Square 
The Gem Theater, opened 1939
“Exclusive Colored Theater”
206 South Side Square
The Gem Theater, opened 1939
“Exclusive Colored Theater”
206 South Side Square
The Gem Theater, opened 1939
“Exclusive Colored Theater”
206 South Side Square
The Gem Theater, opened 1939
“Exclusive Colored Theater”
206 South Side Square
Robert L. Melton Feed Store
118 S. 2nd
“Greek Fruit Merchanton Waco Square”
In 1939, that would have been Boris Kaplan at 222 1/2 South Side Square.
“Greek Fruit Merchanton Waco Square”
In 1939, that would have been Boris Kaplan at 222 1/2 South Side Square.
On the Square 
On the Square 
Peddler on the Square 
Repairing a car on the Square. 
On the Square 
Ralph Dugger Grocery
206 South Side Square
Residence 2826 Gorman
On the Square 
On the Square 
On the Square 
Two little girls on the Square 
Frank Sharp Tires
222-24 Washington Avenue
Firestone Store
623 Washington Avenue
Corner of N. 7th and Washington
Firestone Store
623 Washington Avenue
Corner of N. 7th and Washington
Firestone Store
623 Washington Avenue
Corner of N. 7th and Washington
Frank Sharp Tires
222-24 Washington Avenue
Gus’ Cafe
213 S. 3rd Street
Just off the Square
Hardin-Sturgis House
1316 Washington
Hardin-Sturgis House
1316 Washington
Location not known 
Lipshitz Smelting and Refining Works
107-11 Franklin
Louis L. Lipshitz, President
K & P Cafe
608 Elm Avenue
Mrs. Orynthia Kyles and Mary Payne, Owners
We believe this is 601 Elm Street. 
Gardner’s Cut Rate Package House
321 Elm Avenue
Hi-Way Sandwich Shop
1426 Loop Road
William Courtney, Owner
Marlin Highway Northbound
at LaSalle
Marlin Highway at LaSalle
Southbound
Marlin Highway at LaSalle
Southbound
Marlin Highway at LaSalle
Southbound
Exact location unknown 
Exact location unknown 
Exact location unknown 
Cottonseed Oil Mill
We believe this is Waco Cottonseed Company at 615 Forrest Street.
Cottonseed Oil Mill
We believe this is Waco Cottonseed Company at 615 Forrest Street.
Cottonseed Oil Mill
We believe this is Waco Cottonseed Company at 615 Forrest Street.
Cottonseed Oil Mill
We believe this is Waco Cottonseed Company at 615 Forrest Street.
Cottonseed Oil Mill
We believe this is Waco Cottonseed Company at 615 Forrest Street.
Howard’s Dry Cleaners
1201-03 Washington Avenue
Ford Chatham’s Gas Station was on the Circle. He later opened Chatham’s Drive In. 
Circle Courts Motel
Robert B. Torrance, Manager
At the Circle
Russell Lee, 1939 
Russell Lee, 1939 
Russell Lee
Waco, Texas History in Pictures 