Moving Hibbing

Title: Photograph of a House Being Moved
Type: Photograph
Date: 1919
Source: Minnesota Historical Society

Description: This is a photograph of the house of Frank Dear being moved from old Hibbing to the new town site.

Activities:

1. What might be some reasons for choosing to move a house rather than build a new one?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: It is probably less expensive to move a house than to buy the materials and hire people to build a new one. A house might also have enough sentimental value that you would choose not to leave it behind.
2. Are there any clues as to what time of day this was happening?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: The length of the human shadow at the left tells you the sun must be low. It's either early morning or later in the evening.
3. What dangers might be involved in moving a house in this way?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: If any big bumps or ruts were driven over, the house could become unbalanced and tip off of the wheels beneath it.
4. If the house is on wheels, then couldn't a horse have been used to pull it?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: No, it would be much too heavy. Many horses would be required, whereas one tractor could do the job.