When segments of the archaeological record are combined, the picture emerges of an area rich in traditional Southern lifeways. From dwellings and patterns of yard use to foodways and the late participation in a society based on consumption, the archaeological record reveals a rural style of life that changed little for a period of about 100 years. In this regard, this area avoided the less desirable aspects of changing popular American culture and allowed local folk cultures to flourish. After the great depression and World War II, all of this changed. Today rural East-central Texas is not much different than many other parts of the country, but has an archaeological heritage of which to be proud.
Fig. 17. An example of an early twentieth century tenant farm dwelling; in this case, a four room Cumberland (side view).
Fig. 18. An example of an early twentieth century [Hipped Roof Bungalow]. This was the dwelling of a local land owner and is more elaborate than the simple Cumberland ([Fig. 17]).
Fig. 19. An example of the rebirth of log barns in rural folk construction in the early twentieth century.
Fig. 20. Early twentieth century glass fruit jar (bottom) with milk glass cap liner (top). If one were to pick a single [artifact] representative of twentieth century tenant farming lifeway, it would undoubtably be the home glass canning jar.