COLUMBUS — A photograph exhibit exploring the early days of truck farming in Mississippi is on display at the Columbus branch of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System (CLPLS) until Feb. 25.

“Through the Lens: Copiah County Truck Farming” showcases the work of Luther M. Hamilton (1869-1944), a native of Crystal Springs. Hamilton’s striking photographs of early 1900s truck farming capture workers in cabbage and tomato fields, trucks lined up to unload their crops at the train depot and scenes of downtown Crystal Springs and its residents.

Truck farming – growing large crops of fruits or vegetables to be shipped to distant markets – originated around 1874 in Copiah County. It proved to be an effective way to diversify the state’s agricultural economy and lower the financial risk of the many Mississippians who had previously depended on the volatile cotton market. Its success led to many other communities in Mississippi following the lead of Copiah County and beginning their own truck farming operations.

“Through the Lens: Copiah County Truck Farming” was produced by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

For more information about this exhibit while at the CLPLS call (662) 329-5304.