Interview with Lowell Phillips, December 8, 1988

Interview Summary

Lowell Phillips is originally from Flat Gap in Johnson County, Kentucky. He was born in 1914, and his family moved to Van Lear when he was four. His father became head of construction at the mine. They lived within 600 feet of coal mine No. 2, and he remembers that men were hurt or killed regularly in the mine. Phillips describes some of the African American families in the town, particularly the Singletons. He talks about sexual issues, noting changes over time. He recalls young people going to roadhouses and nightclubs in the early 1930s. He makes a distinction between "nice" clubs and some of the worst roadhouses and "jenny barns." He states that condoms were easily available. He remembers his parent's and his own marriage. His wife was afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.

Interview Keyword

Appalachian People Appalachian social issues black coal miners Coal Mining Consolidated Coal Company gender roles Great Depression Johnson County sexual behavior Van Lear, Kentucky Women Coal Miners women's role in coal camps

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Phillips, Lowell, 1914- Phillips, Lowell, 1914- --Interviews

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Interview Usage

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