Melvin Gennette's Hometown: McPherson, Kansas--The Home Front
Downtown McPherson, Kansas
ca. 1940
(Source: http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/
genInfo.php?locIndex=4841)
ca. 1940
(Source: http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/
genInfo.php?locIndex=4841)
During the pre-war depression, McPherson County was one of the very lucky areas that was able to avoid the suffering of the Great Depression. Gennette's father I believe followed his work on the railroad. This is why I believe Melvin Gennette eventually moved to McPherson and graduated from there.
The reason that McPherson was able to stay afloat during those tough times was the discovery of oil in the surrounding areas and the building of the refinery outside of town. The many jobs that this created was of great influence in the economic health of the county.
The reason that McPherson was able to stay afloat during those tough times was the discovery of oil in the surrounding areas and the building of the refinery outside of town. The many jobs that this created was of great influence in the economic health of the county.
The heart of McPherson, Kansas lies in the refinery, built in the 1920's, and in the two, four-year colleges that have both been functioning in town since the early 1900's. All of these are still in existence today and are a huge part of the town. When Gennette was going to school there, he attended the building that now is used as the middle school. Shortly after graduating, Melvin volunteered for the 82nd airborne division and was sent away from home to help the war effort. While he was gone, life kept going in the McPherson area. Oil was constantly pumped out of the refinery, some sent to the war effort, more kept at home to help farmers with their crops. Newspaper articles from the period show that the press tried their best to keep the people at home informed of what was going on. One great example is below and more are reached through the link.