Gale Carr Papers

Series 1, “Life and career,” documents Carr’s birth and early farming career in Lamar County, Missouri, his military service in World War I, and his work at the Shelby County Penal Farm. Documentation of Carr’s work at the Penal Farm includes correspondence (1931-1932) to his wife, registers, and publications. Clippings and stationery document the continuation of Carr’s career after he was hired as the Northeast Mississippi Livestock Association Director in Tupelo, Lee County, Mississippi. Artifacts, clippings, awards, and other materials document the founding of the Carr-Myers Dairy by Gale Carr and W. L. Wood and the continuance of the full-production dairy until it was sold to Barber Milk in 1956. Programs, brochures, awards, and clippings document the development of Carr-Vista Park and Estates, the Florence Carr bluebird trail, and the conservation activities of Carr and his wife. Carr’s Rotary activities are represented by awards, publications, and other materials. Three scrapbooks chronicle the whole of Carr’s life in Missouri, Memphis, and Mississippi, and also include clippings and some photographs of his children. Other materials include a survey map, deeds, Carr family genealogy, and an autographed copy of Vaughn Grisham’s Beyond Boosterism: A Model for Community Development (1994) and History of The American Jersey Cattle Club, 1868-1968.

Series 2, “Photographs,” consists of visual materials which document Carr’s personal life, military service, and career. These include photos of scenes at Shelby County Penal Farm, as well as a group of Strohmeyer and Carpenter photos made for the American Jersey Cattle Club.