Published in 1939, John
Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath drew attention to the hardships
faced by the "Okies": poor farmers who moved from the Dust Bowl area
to California in search of work. While writing the book, John Steinbeck
visited Bakersfield, California and based his book on Arvin Federal Government
Camp which he portrayed as "Weedpatch Camp."
This camp exists today
and is still used by migrant workers.
