Interview with Walter D. Huddleston, November 13, 2001

Interview Summary

Walter D. Huddleston describes the impact of cultural change on Kentucky during the 1950s and 1960s, particularly in the community of Elizabethtown. He discusses the introduction of the interstate, toll roads, cable television, and a community college system to Kentucky. Huddleston also talks about the impact of the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis on the culture of Kentucky, as people began to build bomb shelters in response to fear. Huddleston also talks about the politics of Kentucky during the late 1950s, particularly the Chandler administration and the relationship between Democrats and Republicans. He also discusses the political environment and issues in the early 1960s, primarily elections in 1962.

Interview Keyword

Rural town economics Senate races--Kentucky Gubernatorial races Kentucky senators Cold War--Cultural impact Technological developments Kentucky--Television and media Technological changes Kentucky parkways Kentucky--Toll roads Threat of nuclear war Broadcast news

Interview LC Subject

Huddleston, Walter D. (Walter Darlington), 1926- Ford, Wendell H., 1924-2015 Political campaigns--Kentucky Governors--Kentucky Kentucky--Politics and government Elizabethtown (Ky.) Elizabethtown (Ky.) Kentucky Quality of life Community colleges Education, Higher--Kentucky Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991 Toll roads Express highways Television Radio Broadcast journalism. Billboards Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962. Governors--Election Breathitt, Edward T., 1924-2003

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.