OH222 James Thurmond Oral History
Collection Title
Jackson Purchase Oral History Project - Kentucky Dam Project
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Series Number
OH222
Interviewee
Thurmond, James
Interviewer
Rousey, Eric
Date Interviewed
October 3rd, 1995
Processed by
Dieter C. Ulrich
Date Processed
November 21st, 2013
Description
1 sound disc (76 minutes)
Abstract
James Wilber Thurmond discusses his experiences while working as a typist for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) during the construction of the Kentucky Dam. He described the Great Depression, living conditions and employment opportunities in the region prior to the construction of the dam. He recalled his daily activities as the typist for the project historian. He mentioned his family history, childhood and early adulthood experiences, the Great Depression, industries in Murray before the construction of the dam, departure of area men to seek work in Detroit and Akron, colleagues and supervisors he worked with, six day work weeks, labor shortages, women replacing men leaving for the war, service in the United States Navy during the Second World War and the positive effects of the dam on the region.
Biographical/Historical Note
James Wilber Thurmond was born on September 5th, 1918 in Calloway County, Kentucky. At age fourteen, his family relocated to Murray where his father established a feed mill and coal distribution business. He was hired by the Tennessee Valley Authority in November of 1941 as the senior typist for the project historian. He was drafted into the United States Navy in April of 1944 and served the fifth year of the Second World War as a typist at battalion headquarters. After the war, he was employed by the Bank of Murray as a bookkeeper and later as a branch manager. He worked for the bank for thirty-seven years before retiring in 1983. He died in Murray on June 6th, 2007.
General Information
No user access to original recordings. Use audio user copies, digital derivatives, transcripts, and/or tape indexes. This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Permission for reproduction must be requested from Murray State University.
Subject Headings/Descriptors
Thurmond, James Wilber, 1918-2007
Calloway County (Ky.) - History.
Murray (Ky.) - History
Kentucky Dam (Ky.)
Tennessee Valley Authority.
Dams - Kentucky.
Land Between the Lakes (Ky. And Tenn.) - History.
Recommended Citation
Rousey, Eric, "OH222 James Thurmond Oral History" (2025). Kentucky Dam. 33.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/oh-kendam/33
Audio Transcript