View source for Thompson, Eugene 1975-11-05

Eugene "Shorty" Thompson, retired hotel manager, discusses his past, including his responsibilities and experiences at the Birch Hotel in Breckenridge. 

==General Interview Information==

'''Interviewee Name:''' Eugene Thompson

'''Additional Parties Recorded:''' None

'''Date:''' November 05, 1975

'''Location:''' Breckenridge, Texas

'''Interviewer:''' Fred Carpenter

'''Length:''' 2 hours 25 minutes


==Abstract==

'''Tape 1, Side 1:''' Grandparents,
Alabama,
Robert S. Scott,
Father,
Andrew Thompson,
High School,
Nacogdoches, Texas,
Valedictorian (1913),
University of Texas,
Scholarship,
Teacher’s certificate,
War,
Career teaching,
Superintendent,
Chireno High School,
Hardward’s store (1920),
Breckenridge, Texas,
Train,
Roads,
Housing,
Finances,
Loans,
Depression,
Leases.
<br>

'''Tape 1, Side 2:''' Brother,
Claude Thompson,
Postmaster (1933),
Hotel, Austin, Texas (1916),
Night clerk,
Manager (3 months),
Hotel, Breckenridge,
Manager,
Salary,
Real estate,
Hotel (1931),
Loans.
<br>

'''Tape 2, Side 1:''' Partnership closed,
Real estate,
Sold to Mr. Wimberly,
Breckenridge (1920),
Civic activities,
Mason,
Lions’ Club, President,
American Legion, Commander,
Chamber of Commerce, President,
Oil boom,
Birch Hotel (1927),
First National Bank,
Independents,
Drilling,
Tarva S. Barrett,
First oil well in Texas,
Nacogdoches County, Texas,
Died (1913),
Beaumont, Texas,
Spindletop well,
Humble Oil Company,
Texas Oil Company,
Magnolia Oil Company,
Gulf Oil Company,
Jake Sanford,
Investments,
Big Bend National Park,
Parks Board.
<br>

'''Tape 2, Side 2:''' Big Bend National Park (continued),
Land prices,
Lawsuits,
Funds,
Senator Townsend,
Land Commissioner Giles,
Scandal,
Football, Breckenridge,
Peak (1931),
District, won (1929),
Coaches (1929-1931),
Betting on games,
Football, Big League,
Blinking Buzzards (1923),
College team played Buzzards,
College ex-football stars’ team.
<br>

'''Tape 3, Side 1:''' Birch Hotel,
Former owners,
Coffee shop,
Conrad Hilton,
Hotel career,
Big Bend National Park pictures,
Birch Hotel (again),
Club rooms,
Famous boarders,
Texas Tech.
<br>

'''Tape 3, Side 2:''' Blank
<br>

'''Range Dates:''' 1913-1931

'''Bulk Dates:''' 1913-1931


==Access Information==

'''Original Recording Format:'''

'''Recording Format Notes:'''

'''Transcript:'''



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[[Category: Needs Review ]] [[category: SWC Interviews]] [[category: 1970s]] [[category: Breckenridge, Texas]] [[category: Family Life and Background]]