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| Titles |
Itasca State Park Oral History Project: Interviews with Long Time Park Visitors and Campground Hosts |
|---|---|
| Description |
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: The July 30, 1993 interviews were held with two couples. The Schaefers had been coming to Itasca almost every year since the mid-1960s. The Imholtes had been coming every year since 1947. Leo Schaefer was a retired city employee from Minot, North Dakota; his wife was a homemaker. Jim Imholte was a retired train conductor. The August 1, 1993 interview was with the Engels who were longtime park visitors and served as campground hosts. The August 10, 1993 interview was with the Cunninghams who stayed at Bert's Cabins, a nearby resort. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The Schaefers: why Itasca; evolution of camping rigs; "hiking trail" vs. "biking trail"; paving Wilderness Drive; early park activities - campfire singing; mowing; the toilet situation; first impressions of the park; Itasca vs. other parks; changes in park facilities; headwaters; people of the park; garbage situation; changes in visitors; contact with locals; park-sponsored events; overall impressions; favorite spots; final thoughts. The Imholtes: why Itasca; changes in visitors; how the park has slipped; trail system; fishing; deer; the early years in the park; mowing; garbage situation; ice house - store; contact with park employees; Itasca vs. other parks; why they keep coming back; reflecting on experiences in the park; raccoon adventure. With the Engels: personal background; experiences at park prior to being hosts; first time in the park - first impressions; how Itasca is special; Bear Paw vs. Pine Ridge campgrounds; changes in the campground facilities; becoming campground hosts; duties as hosts; changes in the park; comparing Itasca to other parks, both state and national; changes in visitors; park personnel; changes in campsites; favorite spots in the park; park happenings and events; the future of Itasca; reflections. With the Cunninghams: personal information; initial contact with the park; hooking up with Bert's Cabins; climbing the tower; witnessing the CCC; area stores; Itasca vs. other state parks; Bert's Cabins; why Itasca; early trailer; campground store; camping; why Bert's Cabins; Bert Pfeifer; "disasters"; the Lodge; naturalist programs; reflections. |
| Quantity |
3 hours sound cassette 48 pages transcript |
| Format |
Content Category: sound recordings Content Category: text |
| Measurements |
110 minutes length |
| Creation |
Interviewee: Imholte, Jim Interviewee: Imholte, Elaine Interviewee: Schaefer, Leo Interviewee: Schaefer, Erna Interviewee: Engel, Buena Interviewee: Engel, Ervin Interviewee: Cunningham, Joe Interviewee: Cunningham, Bev Interviewer: Rieger, Amy K. |
| Subjects |
Itasca State Park |
| Dates |
Creation: 07/30/1993 - 08/10/1993 (Interviews conducted with Imholtes and Schaefers 7/30/1993, with Engels 8/1/1993, and with Cunninghams 8/10/1993.) |
| Holding Type | Oral History - Interview |
| Identifiers |
OH 102 (Library Call Number) AV2003.42.27 (Accession Number) |
| More Info |
MNHS Library Catalog |
| Related Collections |
Oral History - Project, MHS Collection, project: 'Itasca State Park Oral History Project' |
Transcript
Transcript
Transcript