From the lost to the greatest generation : eastern Montana youth in the 1930s by Amy Lynn McKinney A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History Montana State University © Copyright by Amy Lynn McKinney (2000) Abstract: The Great Depression has been a widely researched a studied era in American history. One issue that gripped many government leaders and adults during the 1930s was the plight of youth. They feared the stressful economic conditions would produce a generation who did not understand a work ethic or would get in trouble by turning to radical groups such as fascism, socialism, and communism, a life of crime, or the social ills of society. In order to help the future leaders of America, something had to be done to restore and renew youth’s faith in democracy and capitalism. The national government established the Civilian Conservation Corp and the National Youth Administration to furnish youth with employment and education. In addition to work and school, adults needed to provide youth with wholesome, family-oriented recreation that would establish a better connection to their communities, the building blocks of democracy. Recreation, therefore, also became a weapon to keep youths out of trouble. Studying three communities in eastern Montana, Billings, Sidney, and Plentywood, shows how the national, state, and local governments as well as parents, teachers, and civic leaders fought to save the youth of the country. Newspapers and oral histories bring out the voices of the youth and adults of the day and how they viewed the efforts and programs. Government documents as well as studies by groups such as the American Youth Commission also provide insight on what many viewed as the problems facing youth and how to help them. Due to the extreme conditions of the years surrounding the Great Depression, writer Maxine Davis called this group of youth the “lost” generation in 1936. Today, reflecting on the accomplishments and humble nature those who grew up during the depression and fought in World War II, many call them the “greatest” generation. FROM THE “LOST” TO THE “GREATEST” GENERATION EASTERN MONTANA YOUTH IN THE 1930s by Amy Lynn McKinney I A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts History MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY - Bozeman, Montana April 2000 APPROVAL of a thesis submitted by Amy L. McKinney This thesis has been read by each member of the thesis committee and has been found to be satisfactory regarding content, English use, format, citations, bibliographic style, and consistency, and is ready for submission to the College of Graduate Studies. Dr. Mary Murphy Approval of the Department of History Dr. Robert Rydell 62) '/L T T Approval of the College of Graduate Studies Dr. Bruce R McLeod Date iii STATEMENT OF PERMISSION TO USE In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master’s degree at Montana State University— Bozeman, I agree that the Library shall make it available to borrowers under rules of the Library. If I have indicated my intention to copyright this thesis by including a copyright notice page, copying is allowable only for scholarly purposes, consistent with “fair use” as prescribed in the U. S. Copyright Law. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this thesis in whole or in parts may be granted only by copyright holder. Signature. A :<J Date 13 W uR ^OOQ ) iv TABLE OF CONTENTS I 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................... 1 2. THE PLIGHT OF YOUTH ............................................................................. 14 3. THE NEW DEAL AND YOUTH: THE CCC AND THE N Y A .....................32 4. PLAY TIME: YOUTH AND R EC R EA TIO N .................. ....................................... 89 5. CONCLUSION: THE SHIFT TO D E F E N S E ........................................................154 Bibliography.................................................................................................................... 160 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Map of Montana.......................................... .................................................................3 2. Illustration of the Naming of Plentywood................................................................9 3. “Our Greatest Defense Industry” C artoon.......................................... ..................16 4. Aerial View of Medicine Lake CCC C a m p ........................................ ................ 43 5. Entrance to Ridgelawn CCC C a m p .......................................................................48 6. Aerial View of Ridgelawn CCC Cam p .................................................................. 49 7. Ridgelawn CCC Camp Rock Rip-Rapping............................................... ........ 51 8. Men from Ridgelawn CCC Camp Working on Irrigation Project.................... 52 9. Ridgelawn CCC Workers Loading Rock at Q uarry............................................54 10. Ridgelawn CCC Workers Hauling W illow s.........................................................55 11. Ridgelawn CCC Company 2761 Basketball Team .............................. ......... 58 12. Company 2761 at CCC Camp B R -3 0 .................................................................6 0 13. Members of Company 2761 .................................................................................. 61 14. Sidney Lawn and Garden Advertisement...........................................................93 15. Entrance to Wildwood Parkin Plentywood........ .............................................101 16. Wildwood Park Swimming Pool, circa 1 9 2 7 ....................................................102 17. Cast of Sidney School P la y .................................................................................107 18. Aerial View of Midland Empire Fairgrounds, circa 1940 .............................. 116 19. Fireworks Display During Midland Empire Fair 119 vi Figure Page 20. Midway at Midland Empire Fair............................... ......................................... 121 21. Last Day Crowd at 1930 Richland County F a i r ........................................... 124 22. Aerial View of Richland County Fairgrounds, 1937 ....................................... 126 23. Midway at Richland County Fair........................................................................ 128 24. Crowd at Richland County F a ir..........................................................................129 25. Plentywood Wildcat Basketball Team, 1 9 3 4 ................................................... 131 26. Harlem Globe Trotters Cartoon............... ...................................................... 133 27. House of David Basketball Team, 1940 ......................................................... 135 28. Radio Station KGHL Transmitter Building...................................................... 137 29. Fox Theater, circa 1931 ............................................................... 141 30. Lobby of Fox Theater, circa 1931 ..................................................................... 142 \ 31. Interior of Fox Theater, circa 1931 ............................... ................................... 143 32. Princess Theater, Sidney, M ontana................................................................ 146 33. Main Street of Plentywood, Orpheum Th eater.............................................. 148 Vll ABSTRACT The Great Depression has been a widely researched a studied era in American history. One issue that gripped many government leaders and adults during the 1930s was the plight of youth. They feared the stressful economic conditions would produce a generation who did not understand a work ethic or would get in trouble by turning to radical groups such as fascism, socialism, and communism, a life of crime, or the social ills of society. In order to help the future leaders of America, something had to be done to restore and renew youth’s faith in democracy and capitalism. The national government established the Civilian Conservation Corp and the National Youth Administration to furnish youth with employment and education. In addition to work and school, adults needed to provide youth with wholesome, family-oriented recreation that would establish a better connection to their communities, the building blocks of democracy. Recreation, therefore, also became a weapon to keep youths out of trouble. Studying three communities in eastern Montana, Billings, Sidney, and Plentywood, shows how the national, state, and local governments as well as parents, teachers, and civic leaders fought to save the youth of the country. Newspapers and oral histories bring out the voices of the youth and adults of the day and how they viewed the efforts and programs. Government documents as well as studies by groups such as the American Youth Commission also provide insight on what many viewed as the problems facing youth and how to help them. Due to the extreme conditions of the years surrounding the Great Depression, writer Maxine Davis called this group of youth the “lost” generation in 1936. Today, reflecting on the accomplishments and humble nature those who grew up during the depression and fought in World War II, many.call them the “greatest” generation. 1 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION ■ Certain periods of history have a lasting impact on society. The Great Depression of the 1930s was one of them. Across the nation, Americans