Where Did They Go? An Analysis of Out-Migration from Mammoth Cave National Park During Creation
The creation of national parks in the United States has often resulted in the displacement of resident populations. This is a study of out-migration from the area that would become Mammoth Cave National Park from 1926 until 1941. The purpose of this research is to underline the migration patterns of residents in this region. The 1920 census manuscript was used to determine who lived in the area, and these individuals were tracked using the 1930 and 1940 census manuscripts in order determine migration destinations. The analysis of the geography of outmigration shows a preference for areas that were close to their former homes or for larger urban areas. Consequences of this displacement are also considered. The two main migrant categories, African Americans and non-property owners, experienced higher levels of urbanization than the total displaced population. This suggests that urbanization of racial and socioeconomic groups was one of the consequences of park creation.