What is tar paper shack?

A tar paper shack refers to a small, low-cost housing unit made of tar paper, a heavy-duty paper that's coated with asphalt or tar to make it water-resistant. Tar paper shacks were often built by people who lacked the financial resources to construct permanent homes and were commonly found in rural areas of the United States in the early 20th century. These shacks were usually small and simple structures that provided basic shelter for families, but they lacked electricity, plumbing, and other modern amenities. While many families were able to live in these shacks comfortably, they were also prone to leaking during heavy rain, were easily destroyed by strong winds, and lacked proper insulation, making them uncomfortable during extreme weather conditions. Today, tar paper shacks are artifacts of a bygone era and are rarely used as a permanent housing solution.