Son of the Hundredth Meridian

The 100th meridian is more than a geographic marker splitting the humid east from the arid west; it is a profound cultural boundary that forged a distinct way of life. In Son of the Hundredth Meridian: A Memoir of West Texas, Donald E. Green blends the analytical rigor of a trained historian with the deeply personal recollections of a native son to capture the essence of Collingsworth County during a rapidly changing era.Through the lens of his youth in the resilient communities of Samnorwood and Wellington, Green meticulously documents the realities of rural American life. Set against the monumental backdrops of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the Second World War, this narrative offers a window into the daily mechanics of farming, early public education, community health, and the transition from a cattleman's empire to modern agriculture. Green faithfully records not just the events but the distinct dialect, humor, and grit of the people who worked this unforgiving landscape.A treasure trove of Texana, Son of the Hundredth Meridian serves as both a compelling coming-of-age story and a vital primary source. It is an essential read for scholars of rural sociology, local historians, and anyone yearning to hear the authentic voices of a bygone generation of West Texans.