Weedpatch Camp

Part 1 in a Series

Earl Shelton describes how he left Oklahoma in 1941 as a child with his father and brothers. Bound for Bakersfield during the Dust Bowl era, the family was stranded in Seligman, Arizona. They slept in their truck but eventually managed to get room and board and work for $3.50 a day.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• dust
• bowl
• weedpatch
• ca
• Okies
• Bakersfield
• the
• great
• depression
• Days

[slimsmom]

What wonderful memories this video brought back for me. I was raised at the Sunset Camp during the 50's and 60's. Dad was one of the migrant children that went there to live with his farm laborer parents. They originally lived in the tin cabins but eventually moved up to a cottage in the southeast corner. I remember going the Community Center every week for Bible study with the McDades. Mr. Salie was the manager when we were there. We were blessed to be a part of Camp culture. Well done.

[labunner1]

Thank you for this interesting comment.

[jayrbee60]

Ths is great, I am looking forward to more of this... Makes one think of the struggles we have and how insignificant they are compared to what others in the past have gone through.

[labunner1]

One good thing about technology is that it gives us the ability to document oral history in an authentic way. Thanks for stopping by, John.

[losthills]

Thanks Erin, for documenting this great story, and many thanks to Earl for sharing his personal history.

[labunner1]

...and thank you for the idea.

[TheFIMBRES34]

oooooohhhh my gosh i know this man he was my neighbor for almost 8yrs a beautiful garden he has he i used to ask him for roses for my mom!!!

[labunner1]

....just a citizen journalist! Thanks, Kim.

[daligoddess2006]

Erin, this is so cool. Are you a journalist?