Today, the topic of conversation seems to center on the economy and the hard times we are in, but what if you lived in the 1800s or the early 1900s? Have you ever sat down and talked to your grandparents about how things were when they were growing up. I’m sure that they can tell you some stories about hard times, and many might be hard to believe, but they are (probably) very true.

This week, I thought I would give you a little information on how some taxes were collected back in the 1800s. Today, when you run into the store and buy groceries or other things that you must have to survive, you pay about 9 cents on the dollar in taxes. Years ago, you had what was known as “tax tokens,” and sales tax was 1 cent on a dollar. During this time you didn’t pay taxes. When you made a purchase, you had tax tokens. There were different tax tokens: the token with a “1” on it cost you 1 cent for 10 tokens; tokens with a five on them, you would buy two for 1 cent. You also had what was known as a luxury tax token, public welfare token, etc.

I attended Ponchatoula public school, and we had to buy tokens that were worth 15 cents. These were then used in trade for anything that was sold at school. Tokens were also in different colors and had to be used for different things.

H.T. Coltman and Co. from New Orleans was founded in 1870 and had tokens that were used at all their stores. They had stores in Crowley, Donaldsonville, Lockport, Morgan City and Thibodeaux. Tokens were also used at bars and also at brothels, and they were 50 cents. 

Starting around 1940, you started having ration books. You had to have a ration book to buy gas, food and just about anything you needed. When you purchased something, they would tear one of the stamps out of your book. When all your stamps were gone from your book, you couldn’t buy anything else. Tokens and ration books were also used to buy meat and bread along with gas. You also had to have a work ration book to work.

So stop and think about it. Yes, times are hard, and the economy seems to being going in a spiral downward, but we might not have it as hard as we think. Take the time to talk to grandparents and relatives that lived during this time, and you just might be surprised at how things have changed.

Louisiana Treasures Museum has a collection of tokens and ration books from the early years. For hours of operation or to schedule group tours, call Wayne Norwood at 225-294-8352.

Wayne Norwood is a lieutenant with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Department and owner and operator of the Louisiana Treasures Museum.