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Borrego Springs, CA

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Do you know who Cordell Hull was?

On one side of the campground I’m staying in is Salt Lick Creek.  On the other side is Cordell Hull Lake.  If a big lake is named after a person, there’s usually a reason, and I decided to find out who Cordell Hull was.

67 On the way to NC 201229

This morning, Emma and I hopped in the car and drove to the Cordell Hull Birthplace State Historic Area.  It was about 60 miles away and took us quite a while to get there since I’m finding out that there are very few flat straight roads in Tennessee.  Gorgeous scenery along the way, but you have to pay attention to driving or suffer some not so nice consequences. 

It turns out that Cordell Hull was the first person from Tennessee to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.  He earned that by being the Secretary of State during FDR’s presidency, and is thought of as the Father of the United Nations.  It was the formation of the United Nations that gained him the Nobel Prize. 

67 On the way to NC 201228

Cordell was born the son of a sharecropper in Picket County, TN, in 1871.  He was the only one of his siblings that was truly interested in education, so his father supported him.  He ended up going to school to become a lawyer, then judge, then was elected to the US House of Representatives where he served for 25 years before being elected as a Senator.  After two years as a Senator, FDR asked him to become the Secretary of State.  He was certainly a man that deserves the admiration of his fellow citizens. 

He came from very humble beginnings as can be seen at the replica of his birth cabin that is furnished with period pieces.  His life is a testament to the value of education and personal ambition.  A kitchen garden is grown each year as well.  What I’ve noticed in this area is that gardens contain pole beans climbing up tee pee shaped wooden stakes.  I’m a bush bean person myself.

“Peace should be our Passion” is one of the quotes attributed to Cordell Hull, and this historic site has taken on that quote as their motto.  That’s a good one, but I leave you tonight to think about another of his quotes:

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                                If you think about it, that’s a pretty good philosophy to adhere to.  Winking smile

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

26 comments:

  1. Thanks to you, I now know who Cordell Hull is!

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  2. I like Mr. Hull's Philosophy! Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  3. Thanks for the history tour. I promise I won't insult an alligator....ever.

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  4. He certainly served as Secretary of State through turbulent times and probably knew a whole lot about gators!!

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  5. Welcome to Tennessee, Judy. Over here in the mountains, we're just glad there are roads; we don't care how curvy they are. If they're paved, that's a real plus.

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  6. Judy, I knew it but you gave the answer away.I am an avid history scholar, and I loved researching the period immediately before WW2. I like that era because the politicians still controlled the media, instead of vice versa like now. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

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  7. Good philosophy indeed. Good post- I love to learn something new.

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  8. As I read the title of your blog today, I said to myself no, but I'm sure I will know who he is after I'm done reading Judy's blog. What a great man who came from humble beginnings to do great things. Enjoy your time in Tennessee.

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  9. So many great men that we don't know anything about. Father of the United Nations. Can you even imagine what that must have been like trying to get all those countries together? Wow. Thanks for the history lesson.

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  10. As usual for you, a well done post. A little history, a bit of humor!

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  11. Thanks for the history lesson, and it's good to know exactly when I can insult the gators.

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  12. That would be "Salt Lick Crick" Judy......:-)

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  13. Thanks for sharing Judy... Very interesting.

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  14. Thanks Judy your an amazing teacher

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  15. Very interesting. thanks for sharing this.

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  16. I love to come to your blog and learn something new.

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  17. Interesting post as always. You can always teach us something new.

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  18. Just found your blog, very interesting and well written. Will be heading out on the road fulltime in about 2 years. Until then your blog will be one of the few I've chosen to live vicariously through.

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  19. Fascinating. Never heard of this guy.
    ps

    “… and don’t pay the Ferryman, until he gets you to the other side.”
    Chris De Burgh

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  20. Thank you for introducing us to Mr. Hull! Sound like you're having a great time in your travels. Many people don't believe it, but driving in the mountains of the east (in my opinion) is more difficult than driving the mountains in the west. They are older and aren't engineered the way the roads in the west are (unless you're way off the beaten path). There are some very steep grades, and yes-curves! What I do is leave my trailer parked and explore in the toad--I can see the scenery better, that way, but still not as well as I used to as a passenger.

    Loved the alligator quote. I enjoy your blog--always interesting. Have fun.

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  21. Sounds like a place we need to visit when we return to the East next fall. The alligator quote is so true to life.

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  22. Huh! Had no idea. Thanks for educating us. In line with MBZ's note, in Turkish there's a saying ... "Until you cross the bridge, call the bear Uncle."

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  23. I was in need of a history lesson..Thanks..I had no idea who he was, but now I do...Hope you are enjoying your surroundings..Another one of my fav's as a state!

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  24. butterbean carpenterJune 8, 2012 at 9:22 PM

    Howdy Judy,
    Yes, I knew who Mr. Hull was... He had a good idea it was just unmanageable
    when the Communist got control and undermined the world!!!

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  25. Amen to both quotes! (I'm a Kentucky Wonder bush bean person, myself!)

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