Joe Hall
Carr Creek Oral History Project
This collection is comprised of audio-recorded interviews conducted during 2022-2023 by folklorist Nicole Musgrave with support from the Kentucky Oral History Commission. Her work was part of an effort to document the geographic and human impact of the construction of the Carr Fork Reservoir in southeastern Kentucky, which was completed in 1976. The collection’s twenty interviews with residents of Knott, Letcher and Perry Counties range in focus and content. Most of the interviewees were affected by dislocation in some way. They express different opinions about the lake and its impact on the community. Most interviewees share memories of what the area was like before the lake was built, and many have vivid memories of what the construction process was like.
National Capital Contracting
Joe Hall is a long-time resident of Knott County, Kentucky, with deep roots in the community and a wealth of personal history tied to the region. His life story is interwoven with the landscape of Knott County, from the rural farmlands of his youth to the environmental transformations that have since taken place. Hall's experiences span the educational, ecological, and cultural shifts within the area, including the evolution of local schools and the construction of significant infrastructure. As a student, he attended Carr Creek Elementary, witnessing firsthand the development of educational facilities, such as the construction of a new school that would serve the community's growing needs. His connection to the land is evident in his intimate knowledge of the local geography, the changes in the creek over time, and his family's musical heritage, which echoes the region's cultural traditions. Hall's life is a tapestry of personal anecdotes, community involvement, and a deep-seated understanding of the environmental impacts of human activities, such as logging, mining, and the creation of a lake that forever altered the natural and social landscape of Knott County.
Scope and Content Note
The interview with Joe Hall, conducted as part of the Carr Creek Oral History Project, provides a comprehensive account of the environmental, social, and cultural history of Knott County, Kentucky. Hall discusses the significant dislocation of farms and the consequential building of a lake, detailing the extensive environmental changes that followed, such as wildlife displacement and alterations to the local ecosystem. He reflects on the effects of industrial activities like logging and underground mining, offering insights into their environmental repercussions. The conversation also covers the construction of local landmarks, including the Carr Creek High School, and the broader impact of infrastructure development on the community, such as the removal of trees, road construction, and the relocation of residents and cemeteries. Hall shares poignant personal stories, including tragedies associated with the construction process. In addition to environmental and infrastructural topics, Hall delves into the cultural fabric of the area, recounting his family's musical background and the community's recreational practices, like fishing in the creek and the types of aquatic life found there. He provides a unique perspective on local cuisine, mentioning the consumption of turtles, and discusses the history and legacy of strip mining in the region. Hall also touches on the darker aspects of the lake's history, including a prediction of drownings and the eerie possibility of scuba diving into submerged deep mines.
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