Main Street in the 40s: Rare colour photographs capture the cafes, general stores and corner shops that were the heartbeat of small town America
By A Mystery Man Writer
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/09/02/article-0-14CDCADD000005DC-635_964x685.jpg)
As the nation recovered from the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, and prepared for World War II, Main Street was a place where communities came together and the entrepreneurial spirit was able to flourish.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/09/02/article-0-14CDCB0D000005DC-929_964x1339.jpg)
Main Street in the 40s: Rare colour photographs capture the cafes
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/09/02/article-0-14CDCA64000005DC-110_964x680.jpg)
Main Street in the 40s: Rare colour photographs capture the cafes
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/09/02/article-0-14CDC8D5000005DC-797_964x683.jpg)
Main Street in the 40s: Rare colour photographs capture the cafes
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/scaled/2012/09/02/article-0-14CDCADD000005DC-634_308x185.jpg)
Main Street in the 40s: Rare colour photographs capture the cafes