Stories from the Dust Bowl (2005)

Smoky Hills Public Television produced a documentary titled, “Stories from The Dust Bowl.” Through the use of old photographs, music, film and interviews with those who lived through this time period, Smoky Hills Public Television presents a special program that tells the story of this critical time in history. It is important to capture the recollections and stories from the past to learn of the hardships of those who survived and continued to make a life and home in Kansas and the plains. There are many stories to be told; however many of those will soon be gone.

Visits included Hugoton, Liberal, Great Bend, Hays and Garden City, Kansas and Goodwell, Oklahoma as well as interviews with men and women from across our viewing area. The Wind Erosion Research Unit of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service at Kansas State University has done extensive research on the subject and history consultants from Fort Hays State University, University of Kansas, Barton County Community College and Oklahoma Panhandle State University were interviewed.

“This Program is funded in part by the Kansas Humanities Council, a nonprofit cultural organization promoting understanding of the history, traditions, and ideas that shape our lives and build community.”

To order your copy of Stories from the Dust Bowl please click on the link below:

If you would like to Donate to Smoky Hills Public Television then please click on the link below:

[twalatka]

I was raised by parents and grandparents that taught me to solve problems, be self reliant and kind to people.

[dorothydromgoole]

My mom and dad lived through the Depression. And it showed as I grew up. My mom and dad tought me the things that they learned from the Depression. I still to this day will sow or pach my clothes to make them last. I don't believe in keeping my money in the bank, some people do, I don't. To be truthful I don't have any money to put in the bank. I'd like to but I don't, someday maybe.

[WhispersFromTheDark]

I just think about how my Parents and Grandparents lived back then and it makes me admire their strength and fortitude. And makes me very thankful for what we have today. Thank you for teaching us this history and giving us the reminder that it could always be worse.

[sharolynwells]

My dad.was born in 1930. My grandfather went to work at a concrete plant, driving a truck. He left my grandmother with four kids (My dad was the oldest). He said he remembers his granny and grandpa on a truck like something out of The Grapes of Wrath.

[Superintendent-iyzv]

No idea why this was recommended by tube, AWESOME DOCUMENTARY!! God bless these folks for sharing this!! From a farm boy 4 th generation in Michigan.

[betsybrains]

Long live the wisdom of oral folklore. Deepest thanks.

[debbiefesler]

I was listening to this video last night and my ears perked up when I head the comments given by the farmers who were forced to leave after they were all failing and had no other choice but to try some other place for their families to !succeed! I heard the name Lawrence Svboda and my ears perked up and made sure to comment today! He wrote a book: Surviving The Dust Bowl. I worked at the public library and was able to read it several times! Many years ago I saw his story portrayed on the PBS documentary series: American Experience. It was of the same title of the book and his voice was narrated by Matthew Modine!

[robertengland]

The depression and dust bowl Oklahoma were truly rough times. People back then who survived were remarkable.

[calcrappie]

Times were hard all over. That generation was rock solid. WPA had some excellent masonry workers and many cities still have walls, buildings etc. standing proudly today. Good quality of workers.

[menufrog]

The same problems in Australia prompted a sustainable farming movement here. If we don't learn from our past mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them.

[sarahstrong]

I think we see calamity happening again now with so many homeless & even some working people unable to afford a home. So many people struggling to afford the basics.

[lalailm]

what a treasure! such an honor to hear their personal accounts

[hippiechick]

I admire the people that lived through this. They are such hardworking humble people and did what they had to do to survive.

[quercusrubra]

A friend from Oakley, Kansas told me (if my memory serves me correctly) that the clubbed rabbits were stored frozen in corn cribs and sold to mink growers for food. They could have fed them to hogs. They eat anything. In Oklahoma, oil had been discovered on my great-grandfather's farm near Ada. Because of this he was able to buy farms that were being abandoned in the Great Depression and give them to each of his children.

[papasmodelcarroom]

Excellent documentary I've seen it a couple times. I love history stuff and listening to stories from our senior just realized I'm a senior generation now, what the heck happened lol.

[TheAll]

Yes the music is distracting from the dialogue, that’s too bad 😞

[ladonakirkwood]

My grandparents, who were farmers, lived during the dust bowl. Grandma Mac said she remembered sweeping really fine dirt piles that would sift in through the doors and windows and an hour or so later she would have to do it again. Her kids, my dad, aunts and uncles wore handkerchiefs over their faces to try and help them to be able to breathe. Great Depression.

[mariekatherine]

Mamma came up the hard way, had to work from very young. Everyone worked. She quit school at 15 because there was no choice. Her income was needed for survival.

[dee]

What an inspirational and uplifting group of people from my grandparents generation, the greatest! I enjoyed watching this! Thank you so much for sharing! ❤🤍💙

[sarahstrong]

Thankyou for sharing. I really appreciate being able to hear from the people who experienced these historic events.