Historian's Corner



Charlene Cole
Sandy Creek/Lacona Historian
Historian's Corner
April 17, 2015

This photo shows school children from Sandy Creek and Boylston taking part in the scrap metal drive during World War II. Pictured left to right is Lymon Robbins, Leona Kinney Butler, Virginia Chrisman Peter and Terry Crast.

The last column was on pioneer gardens and this column is about the Victory Gardens of WWII. Locally the towns of Sandy Creek, Boylston, Richland and Orwell met at the Sandy Creek Central School, May 24th, 1943 to receive information and aid planning their victory gardens.

As part of the war effort, the government rationed foods like sugar, butter, milk, cheese, eggs, coffee, meat and canned goods. Planting Victory Gardens helped make sure that there was enough food for our soldiers fighting around the world. Because canned vegetables were rationed, Victory Gardens also helped people stretch their ration coupons (the amount of certain foods they were allowed to buy at the store). Labor and transportation shortages made it hard to harvest and move fruits and vegetables to market. So, the government turned to its citizens and encouraged them to plant "Victory Gardens." They wanted individuals to provide their own fruits and vegetables. Nearly 20 million Americans answered the call. They planted gardens in backyards, empty lots and even city rooftops. Many different types of vegetables were grown-such as tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, beets, and peas. Victory Gardens were responsible for bringing Swiss chard and kohlrabi onto the American dinner table because they were easy to grow. Neighbors pooled their resources, planted different kinds of foods and formed cooperatives, all in the name of patriotism. By 1944 Victory Gardens were responsible for producing 40% of all vegetables grown in the United States.

This column is dedicated to our World War II veterans.

Honor Flight honors veterans with a trip to Washington DC to see the memorials built in their honor. Stratt Killam is making the trip this year!

Charlene Cole
Sandy Creek/Lacona Historian
1992 Harwood Drive
Sandy Creek, NY 13145
315-387-5456 x7
office hours: Friday 9am to 2pm
www.sandycreeknyhistory.com