Western Kentucky University, Special Collections Library

Interview with Albert A. "Shorty" Coats

Date of Interview: 

Thu, 08/13/1987

Collection: 

Civilian Conservation Corps at Mammoth Cave National Park Oral History Project

Interviewer: 

Kelly A. Lally

Interviewee: 

Albert A. "Shorty" Coats

Subjects: 

Mammoth Cave National Park, Civilian Conservation Corps, CCC, Great Depression, World War II, Recreation

Call Number: 

FA 81 B3,F5

Albert A. "Shorty" Coats describes his experiences in the CCC at Mammoth Cave National Park, Camp 4. Topics include the salary system, free time, camp projects, interaction among the camps, pranks, the Army during WW II, CCC relationship with the local community, race relations, his opinion of the CCC program, local moonshiners and moonshining, work at Mammoth Cave after leaving the CCC, pranks, retirement, other Mammoth Cave guides, health problems resulting from working in the cave, and the Brandsford family. Mr. Coats also talks about his personal background. Tape index, transcript, and audio file are available.

Get It Here