Interview with Marica J. Casey, November 7, 2015

Interview Summary

Marica Casey talks about her childhood living in Elkhorn City before she moved away. She continued to visit her grandparents in Elkhorn City every summer. She tells stories about playing in and around the river as a child, including several stories about seeing panthers and mountain lions in the area. Casey tells several stories about the river flooding. Casey talks about the slow-paced life in Elkhorn City. She talks about how the community supports one another, and as an example she tells the story of how the community helped her family when her grandson was diagnosed with leukemia. Casey discusses the future of Elkhorn City, and her hopes for the preservation of its history. She says she does not want big businesses to come into the town, and talks about the town's economy which was mainly based on the coal industry. Casey talks about how the coal industry has affected the town's economy as well as its ecological impact on the area.

Interview Keyword

Coal mines and mining--Environmental aspects Eastern Kentucky Childhood Family histories. Heritage Russell Fork River Appalachian Region--Social conditions Appalachian Region--Social life and customs

Interview LC Subject

Rivers--Kentucky Elkhorn City (Ky.) Coal mines and mining--Kentucky--Elkhorn City Appalachian Region--Economic conditions River tourism. Floods--Kentucky Outdoor recreation. Communities Community development Economic development

Interview Rights

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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.