Rio Grande Valley Oral Histories
Please note that many oral history interviews may be difficult to hear due to the recording environment and technology available at the time of their original recording.
Please contact Special Collections & Archives for questions, email us.
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Interview with Josefina Acosta Ibanez
Josefina Acosta Ibanez and Francisca Rodriguez
Born in 1920 in La Grulla, Starr County, Texas and recorded on 12 April 1987.
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Interview with Francisca Aguilar
Francisca Aguilar and Juan Martin Guerra
Francisca Aguilar talks about prices of items, entertainment and transportation.
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Interview with Norma Ramirez Aguiñaga
Norma Ramirez Aguiñaga and Roseann Bacha Garza
Norma Ramirez Aguiñaga reflects on her father's involvement in the 1977 march advocating for the rights of Texas Farm Workers, alongside Antonio Orendain. As a young girl of 15, she described the community's efforts to support this cause, with families taking turns to transport the children to join the marchers on weekends. Her father, Claudio Ramirez, created a handcrafted banner featuring the Virgen de San Juan, which symbolized their devotion and hope for protection throughout their journey. Norma now carries the responsibility of preserving this history and ensuring that the struggles and achievements of those farm workers are not forgotten, as she collaborates with others who were part of the movement to maintain this legacy through education and remembrance.
The conversation highlights the tension between Texas farm workers and the more recognized figures like Cesar Chavez, emphasizing that Chavez’s contributions primarily pertained to California. Norma asserts it was Orendain and his supporters who played a crucial role in the Texas movement, yet they have not received proper acknowledgment. She reflects on the historical significance of their work, including the establishment of "El Cuhamil" and the murals that symbolize the struggles faced by these workers.
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Interview with Domingo Alcazar
Domingo Alcazar and Jose Trinidad Molina
Domingo Alcazar covers his school years at an early age. He also talks about his job and about education.
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Interview with Oliver Cromwell Aldrich, Jr.
Oliver Cromwell Aldrich Jr. and Robert Everett Norton
Oliver Cromwell Aldrich, Jr. (1918-1993) is interviewed by Robert Norton on 1992-04-24 in Houston, Texas. Aldrich recollects his life in Hidalgo County, Texas (San Juan and Edinburg) from the 1920's through the 1950's. He talks about construction of highways, floodways, schooling, agriculture, personalities, frequency of freeze, and river.
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Interview with Jesse Almaguer
Jesse Almaguer and Corina Cantu
Jesse Almaguer talks about his family background, and how hard it was for him to make a living during the 1930's/ Great depression. He also talks about his present status and how well he is.
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Interview with Frank Anderson and Dorothy Anderson
Frank Anderson, Dorothy Anderson, and Sandra Veronica Barrera
Frank and Dorothy Anderson give an account of life in the 1930's to the present. Frank was born on December 21, 1916, and Dorothy was born November 27, 1921.
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Interview with Miller F. Armstrong
Miller F. Armstrong
Miller F. Armstrong talks about the early days of Mission, Texas. He remembers the bandits and raids, and when the telephone was introduced in Mission in 1911. He received his degree as a lawyer then became a judge.
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Interview with Margie Austin
Margie Austin and Silvia Ann Olivarez
Margie Austin talks about her life, education (Mission High School graduate), church, and the depression. Margie Austin was born on December 15, 1921.
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Interview with Antonio L. Ayala
Antonio L. Ayala and Ricardo Alfredo Villarreal
Antonio Luis Ayala, born on 22 August 1918, talks about his service (1942-46) and achievements in World War II. Mr. Ayala served in 9th Armor Division, fought in the Battle of Bastogne, was held as a prisoner of war and interrogated by the German SS. He also discusses his family and life growing up in McAllen, Texas, as well as his readjustment to civilian life following the war. Antonio passed away on 15 November 1994.
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Interview with Juanita Ayala
Juanita Ayala and Nora Cantu
Juanita Ayala was born in Los Ramones, Nuevo Leon. She talks about her husband and her three day wedding. She also mentions her last baby girl that she gave away to her oldest daughter.
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Interview with Dolores Soza "Lolo" Baeza
Dolores "Lolo" Soza Baeza and Roseann Bacha Garza
Lolo Baeza, a former member of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), shared his experiences during an interview conducted in Fort Davis, Texas.
He detailed his recruitment at age 17 and his early work at Big Bend National Park, focusing on repairing trails and bridges amidst challenging conditions. Baeza discussed his role in fixing the "Indian Lodge," addressing roof leaks and additional renovations over two years, along with the camaraderie he established with fellow workers from diverse backgrounds.
He discusses the economic struggles of the Great Depression, his military service in World War II, and the establishment of a family business in Presidio, TX. The conversation also shed light on Baeza’s family history and ties to his Spanish heritage,
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Interview with M. J. Baily
M. J. Baily and Mary Elva Salas
M. J. Baily talks about his teenage life, the depression and farming.
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Interview with Gillespie Parish Baker - Part 01
Gillespie Parish Baker and Robert Everett Norton
Gillespie Parish Baker, born 1900 and died 23 September, 1976, discusses the life of his father, A.Y. Baker, an influential citizen of Edinburg. He gives a detailed description of his own life in Hidalgo County and Edinburg including observations on the Hidalgo-Reynosa bridge, beginning of Edinburg Junior College, trains, roads, and utilities.
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Interview with Gillespie Parish Baker - Part 02
Gillespie Parish Baker and Robert Everett Norton
Gillespie Parish Baker, born 1900 and died 23 September, 1976, discusses the life of his father, A.Y. Baker, an influential citizen of Edinburg. He gives a detailed description of his own life in Hidalgo County and Edinburg including observations on the Hidalgo-Reynosa bridge, life, and changes in Edinburg.
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Interview with Jack William Baldwin
Jack William Baldwin and Robert Everett Norton
Jack William Baldwin, born on 12 January 1915, discusses his father coming down to the Rio Grande Valley, developer Roland Ernest Horn, Baldwin Mobile Home Manor, life experience in McAllen, his activities in business and civic work. He tells of changes in the dairy business and the expansion of the city. Jack passed away on 09 April, 2000.
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Interview with Eliza E. Barrera - Part 01
Eliza E. Barrera and Corina Cantu
Eliza E. Barrera talks about her life, her upbringing, social and religious background. She tells of her family history, mentions different tasks as a daughter, wife and mother. She talks about different remedies that her mother used.
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Interview with Eliza E. Barrera - Part 02
Eliza E. Barrera and Corina Cantu
Eliza E. Barrera talks about her life, her upbringing, social and religious background. She tells of her family history, mentions different tasks as a daughter, wife and mother. She talks about different remedies that her mother used.
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Interview with Guadalupe Barrera
Guadalupe Barrera and Rolando Pena
Guadalupe Barrera talks about her early childhood experiences and how her family subsisted on what they planted.
From interviewer Rolando Peña: "Life Account of Guadalupe Barrera I interviewed Mrs. Guadalupe Barrera in her home in Mission Tx. on April 6, 1987. Mrs. Barrera was born in 1904 in La Bana. She was the youngest of a family of seven. She recalled very little about her father and remembers only that he died when she was five years old. During her childhood, there were no such things as radios much less T.V.'s. Her education level reached only the sixth grade because she had to drop out to tend to her ailing mother. During the beginning of WWI, her family moved to Mexico. Her leisure time was spent in church. She was married in 1925 to Virgilio Barrera and has been married to him ever since. In 1948 the Barrera family moved back to Texas and has resided in Mission ever since. It was a pleasure talking to Mrs. Guadalupe Barrera. I learned much about life in the past and how hard it was Just to survive."
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Interview with Leonor Barrera
Leonor Barrera and Diana Yvette Garza
Leonor Barrera speaks of the war between Germany and the United States. She tells of friends and brothers who were involved in the war. She speaks briefly on childhood and schooling.
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Interview with Rafael Barrera
Rafael Barrera and Diana Yvette Garza
Rafael Barrera tells of an incident when he and his friends were shot by soldiers guarding the border.
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Interview with Manuela Barrios
Manuela Barrios and Ricardo De Luna
Manuela Barrios was born in Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico in 1888. She talks about the Mexican Revolution and her family.
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Interview with Pilar Benavides
Pilar Benavides and Maria Zapata
Pilar Benavides talks about her family's hacienda and describes Mexican people and how they worked. She also mentions the days before and after World War II.
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Interview with Lloyd Bentsen Sr. - Part 01
Lloyd Bentsen Sr., Denice Leslie Kemp, and Richard Kemp
Side 1 - Life as a boy in the Dakota's and war years. Side 2 - Dolly and War Years
Major General Lloyd Bentsen, Sr. was a pioneer of military aviation. He enlisted in the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps, United States Army during WWI, flew missions as a fighter pilot, commanded the Military Forces of Texas during WWII, and was appointed Commanding General, Texas State Guard Reserve.
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Interview with Lloyd Bentsen Sr. - Part 02
Lloyd Bentsen Sr., Denice Leslie Kemp, and Richard Kemp
Miscellaneous years in the Valley, marriage, and adventures as a boy.
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Interview with Jimmy K. Beresty - Part 01
Jimmy K. Beresty and Tony G. Hyba
Jimmy K. Beresty relates the drilling of oil wells and specifications in the Rio Grande Valley. He also talks about Raycon oil field, Davenport Ranch, roads in McAllen, sewer systems in the Rio Grande Valley, outhouses, water treatment and storage, rain water, fans, air conditioners, wood stoves, the coming of electricity, employment, enlisting in the Air Force Reserve in Fort Sam Houston, Kelly Air Base, maintaining planes, work at Randall Air Force Base, then at Love Air Field, flying around the world as a result of World War II, A. Y. Baker corruption, Bentsen family, McColl Clubhouse Syndicate, effect of Great Depression, WPA (Works Progress Administration), and opinions on presidents.
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Interview with Jimmy K. Beresty - Part 02
Jimmy K. Beresty and Tony G. Hyba
Jimmy K. Beresty relates his life history.
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Interview with Celestino Bernal
Celestino Bernal and Efrain Bernal
Celestino Bernal talks about his early childhood in Mexico and about his life as a farmer in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
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Interview with Weldon C. Blackwell
Weldon C. Blackwell and Glenn Housley
Weldon C. Blackwell tells about the early days of Weslaco, including his home life, church, and family.
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Interview with Frances Wood Borman
Frances Wood Borman and Betty Fogarty
Frances Wood Borman tells of her family moving to the Valley from the North in the early part of the century. She describes family values, her way of life as a child and young housewife.
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Interview with William Bill Borman
William Bill Borman and Robert Everett Norton
William Borman tells about his life. Topics include Birth in Arkansas, schooling in McAllen, first job. San Juan store, city debt, difficulty in starting store, city management as Mayor, streets, banking, secret of success.
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Interview with Maurice Boyd Cramer
Maurice Boyd Cramer and Robert Everett Norton
Maurice Boyd Cramer born on 12 December 1916, in Sarcoxie, Jasper, Missouri, tells of early life in Missouri, an excursion train to the Valley, Hidalgo County Irrigation District #2, pump house in Hidalgo, Camp Ebenezer (Alamo), dairy and cotton farming, early San Juan schools, and flood control. He died on 3 July 2004, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
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Interview with Lucy Brandt
Lucy Brandt and Silvia Ann Olivarez
Lucy Vavra Brandt talks about her early life and the Great depression.
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Interview with Elizabeth B. (Sammons) Brazeal
Elizabeth B. Brazeal and Robert Everett Norton
Mrs. Elizabeth Boyd (Sammons) Brazeal (wife of Clay Brazeal) discuss early life, parents, education and marriage. As the daughter of a prominent early Valley businessman and the wife of another, she makes observations about life in the Mission area.
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Interview with Harold E. Brehm
Harold E. Brehm and Robert Everett Norton
Harold E. Brehm was born December 10, 1897. He came to the Valley in 1924. He talks about the progress of the city of McAllen.
Grandfather had interesting life with Maximillian, also early life in Kansas. Interesting move to Valley, business structure of South Main in McAllen during 1920's, floods on airport property, change in tourists, Jackson family, use of trains, observations on climate.
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Interview with Maria Brewster Castillo
Maria Brewster Castillo and Norma Linda Castillo
Maria Brewster Castillo tells how the Brewster family came from Mississippi or Alabama in covered wagons during the late 1800's. Her father was a Texas Ranger. Her family always had plenty of food, therefore she never experienced the Great depression.
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Interview with Darrell Clark Brumley
Darrell Clark Brumley and Harry Carter Quin
Darrell Brumley was born June 15, 1916 in Chikoda, Oklahoma. His father's name was Walter Clark Brumley and his mother's name was Ethel May Peeky. He mentions his education at Edinburg College.
Early days of Valley, beginning with 1933 hurricane through history to Pan American University.
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Interview with Irene Bullion
Irene Bullion and Edna D. Salinas
Irene Bullion tells about her family and the Great depression.
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Interview with Lewis Callis
Lewis Callis and Diana Barrientes
Lewis Callis talks about his childhood, hobbies and time served in World War II.
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Interview with Charles Edward Cameron
Charles Edward Cameron and Robert Everett Norton
Charles Edward Roi Cameron was born on July 6, 1906 in Gomez Farias, Tamaulipas. His name is Scottish. His father was Scottish and his mother was French Canadian. He talks about the Mexican Revolution.
Father's life in Canada including member of Royal Canadian Mounted Police, medical school, move to Mexico and life there. Move to United States in 1916, work with troops there. Birth of family in Mexico. Life in U.S. in 1920's, the Reynosa-Hidalgo Ferry. Schooling in Pharr and McAllen, work during summer. Land features of the Valley, disasters. War service, teaching, marriage, family, work as customs inspector.
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Interview with Alicia Cano
Alicia Cano and Robert Andrew Nelson
Alicia Cano talks about having Spanish parents. She mentions struggling in the U.S. and teaching children old morality customs.
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Interview with Benilde Cano
Benilde Cano and Mytla Pecina
Benilde Cano talks about growing up on a small ranch and the great interest her family has always had in commerce.
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Interview with Guadalupe Cano
Guadalupe Cano and Andy Longoria Perez
Guadalupe Cano talks about life on a farm and about animals.
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Interview with Fidela R. Cantu
Fidela R. Cantu and Corina Cantu
Fidela R. Cantu talks about her family background, personal life, education, religion, social status, working conditions and her present life.
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Interview with Juanita Rosales Cantu
Juanita Rosales Cantu and Robert A. Hinojosa
Juanita Rosales Cantu born on April 21, 1950, talks about her life, including: her childhood, working as a migrant worker, her battle with breast cancer, medicine in the United States, her time as a mother, language exams to enter Pan American College, University of Texas Pan American, pesticide related illnesses, and her time working with U.S. Customs Service. She also tells of family stories, including: bootlegging, violence against Hispanics, and U.S. Customs Service.
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Interview with Magdalino "Mike" Cantu
Magdalino Cantu and Crystal Marie Cantu
Magdalino Cantu talks about his early life in Mexico.
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Interview with Manuel Cantu, Jr.
Manuel Cantu Jr, Charles J. Ellard, and Jaime Cardoza
Manuel Cantu (b. 1952) was interviewed by Charles J. Ellard for the "Veterans History Project 2009" on September 22, 2009 at the Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library. The interview was video recorded by Jaime Cardoza.
Mr. Cantu speaks about his military service in the U.S. Army with the Signal Corps, including enlistment, training, and assignments. He also discusses the mentoring and service opportunities for veterans and offers words of encouragement for young people.
This interview has been archived at the Library of Congress as part of the Veterans History Project
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Interview with Maria Cantu
Maria Cantu and Guadalupe Torres
Maria Cantu describes her early life at the rancho in Edinburg. She talks about her parents, sisters, brothers, crops, animals, funerals, women's role, clothing and compares the old time to the present.
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Interview with Ricardo M. Cantu
Ricardo M. Cantu and Kelly Saenz
Ricardo M. Cantu talks about growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, his father's work with the Valley Fruit Company, Hurricane Beulah, his time as a Disc Jockey in KURV and KRGV, academics, the Pharr Riot, and discrimination he has faced as a Hispanic. Interview conducted on October 14, 2017 by Kelly Saenz in Brownsville, Texas. Ricardo passed away on August 12, 2020.
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Interview with Ricardo Cantu
Ricardo Cantu and Kelly M. Saenz
Ricardo M. Cantu talks about growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, his father's work with the Valley Fruit Company, Hurricane Beulah, his time as a Disc Jockey in KURV and KRGV, academics, the Pharr Riot, and discrimination he has faced as a Hispanic. Interview conducted on October 14, 2017 by Kelly Saenz in Brownsville, Texas. Ricardo passed away on August 12, 2020.
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Interview with Anita Cardenas
Anita Cardenas and Leticia Miroslava Gamboa
Anita Cardenas talks about slavery, how business started in the 1950's, her all day wedding in 1930 and how clothes were hand-made.
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Interview with Santos Cardoza
Santos Cardoza and Rocio Patricia Rodriguez
Santos Cardoza was born in Mendez, Tamaulipas, in 1901. She talks about her life without her mother. She also mentions sewing classes.
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Interview with Cora Carson
Cora Carson and Cynthia E. Garza
Cora Carson born in 17 March, 1923 in Iowa talks about her life history.
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Interview with Vernon Carson
Vernon Carson and Cynthia E. Garza
Vernon Carson talks about his life history and his World War II experiences.
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Interview with Cosme Casares Munoz
Cosme Casares Munoz and Leticia Miroslava Gamboa
Cosme Casares Munoz was born in 1915 in McAllen, Texas. He talks about the first schools in McAllen, Los Rinches, Texas Rangers, and Los Indiciosos, why they hung 30 people in Alamo, Texas, laborers, and camps of soldiers in 1919. He tells about "diez y quince" stores and the first cars sold.
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Interview with Genoveva Castaneda Dominguez, Enriqueta Jalifi
Genoveva Castaneda Dominguez, Enriqueta Jalifi, and Diana Barrientes
[00:00:00-00:45:30] Genoveva Castaneda was born in 1904 in Rosario, Texas . She talks about: growing up, customs and education. [00:45:31-00:91:00], Enriqueta Jalifi was born in 10 October 1903 in Toluca Ranch. She talks about discrimination in school and church, the Great depression, and the economy.
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Interview with Eduardo Castellanos
Eduardo Castellanos
Oral History interview of Eduardo Castellano talking about the Great depression, and working in the fields. Unknown date of original recording.
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Interview with Adela Castilleja
Adela Castilleja and Oralia Betancourt
Adela Castilleja tells about life in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and in Edinburg, Texas.
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Interview with Juan Castillo
Juan Castillo and Corina Castillo
Juan Castillo born on 06 July, 1922 tells about growing up during the 1930's.
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Interview with Juan Castillo
Juan Castillo and Miguel Torres
Juan Castillo, born in 1895 in San Luis Potosi, talks about life in the Valley when he was young, the place and date of his birth. He mentions the reasons he came to the Valley and the jobs he had.
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Interview with Francisca M. Castro - Part 01
Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias
Francisca M. Castro talks about where she was born and what her life in Mexico was like.
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Interview with Francisca M. Castro - Part 02
Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias
Francisca M. Castro talks about where she was born and what her life in Mexico was like.
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Interview with Francisca M. Castro - Part 03
Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias
Francisca M. Castro talks about where she was born and what her life in Mexico was like.
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Interview with Francisca M. Castro - Part 04
Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias
Francisca M. Castro talks about where she was born and what her life in Mexico was like.
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Interview with Francisca M. Castro - Part 05
Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias
Francisca M. Castro talks about where she was born and what her life in Mexico was like.
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Interview with Francisca M. Castro - Part 06
Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias
Francisca M. Castro talks about where she was born and what her life in Mexico was like.
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Interview with Elias Cavazos - Part 01
Elias Cavazos and Robert Everett Norton
Elias Cavazos talks about his parents and grandparents. He discusses his early years in McAllen. He tells about his working experience with the railroads and as a telegrapher at Western Union. He shares his progress through Western Union including moving to distant cities as he was promoted. He tells about the changes that McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley experienced between 1925 and 1977. He also discusses lands and Porciones in the Valley and how lands including Porcion 72 came to be under his family and relatives and then sold. He mentions his experiences in New York City where he lived and worked. He also talks about his wife Catherine Cavazos.
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Interview with Elias Cavazos - Part 02
Elias Cavazos and Robert Everett Norton
Elias Cavazos talks about his parents and grandparents. He discusses his early years in McAllen. He tells about his working experience with the railroads and as a telegrapher at Western Union. He shares his progress through Western Union including moving to distant cities as he was promoted. He tells about the changes that McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley experienced between 1925 and 1977. He also discusses lands and Porciones in the Valley and how lands including Porcion 72 came to be under his family and relatives and then sold. He mentions his experiences in New York City where he lived and worked. He also talks about his wife Catherine Cavazos.
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Interview with Andrew Champion - Part 01
Andrew Champion and Robert Everett Norton
Andrew Champion relates the story of the Champion family, the history of Donna, Texas.
Mr. Champion discusses a family life in Progresso.
His grandparents: Peter Bronzin Champion (Campeoni) and Maria Felicita Flor Solisenos
His father: Andrew Solis Champion, Sr., who was a Texas Ranger
Military service: WWI and WWII
Industry: Oil fields
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Interview with Andrew Champion - Part 02
Andrew Champion and Robert Everett Norton
Andrew Champion relates the story of the Champion family, the history of Donna, Texas.
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Interview with Jose E. Chapa
Jose E. Chapa and Douglas E. Erickson
Jose E. Chapa talks about land prices, history and genealogy of Chapa family, the Great depression, political affiliations, Mexican Americans from the Rio Grande Valley in politics, farming, and traveling the world. Mr. Chapa passed away on 7 August, 2011.
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Interview with Jesus Chavana
Jesus Chavana and Oralia Betancourt
Jesus Chavana relates his experiences in World War II in 1942.
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Interview with Ada Lee (Richmond) Chisum
Ada Lee Chisum and Robert Everett Norton
Ada Lee Richmond Chisum, born on 21 July 1908, relates the story of her grandparents moving to Texas in the late 1800's. Her father worked for the railroad in Yoakum. All the children were born in Yoakum. She tells of early McAllen, the soldiers stationed in McAllen, Richmond Plumbing Company, the Great depression, and the Old Timers Club. She died on 22 May 1996.
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Interview with Elizabeth Ewing Christenson
Elizabeth Ewing Christenson and Robert Everett Norton
Elizabeth Ewing Christenson was born February 26, 1920, in McAllen, Texas. She tells of growing up in the city of McAllen.
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Interview with Harry Cole
Harry Cole and Marilyn R. Nowak
- 00:00 - Introduction and Cole's background.
- 04:18 - How Cole raised his children.
- 07:15 - The changes to the Rio Grande Valley Cole has seen.
- 09:13 - How Cole feels about Mexico and whether or not he visits.
- 18:45 - Cole's daughters.
- 21:15 - Cole's grandchildren.
- 23:17 - Religion.
- 24:32 - Smoking.
- 33:00 - How Cole feels about work/working.
- 34:40 - Education.
- 37:30 - Sports.
- 38:28 - Cole's feelings about World War II and war in general.
- 42:51 - Cole's feelings about television.
- 44:00 - When the Coles got married and how old they were.
- 44:58 - Harry and his wife's age difference, and whether or not they would allow their daughter to marry someone that much older.
- 48:00 - Divorce.
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Interview with Shelley Hale Collier Sr.
Shelley Hale Collier Sr.
Shelley Hale Collier Sr. was born on 07 July 1896 and passed away on 04 July 1984.
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Interview with Maria Compian
Maria Compian and Sandra Cardenas
[Maria Compean] No summary information.
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Interview with Maria Conde
Maria Conde and Sandra Cardenas
Maria Conde was born in San Benito, Texas, on October 21, 1919. She tells about her schooling, marriage, and life in a well-to-do neighborhood.
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Interview with Concha M. Cortez
Concha M. Cortez and Joseph S. Hoy
Concha M. Cortez, born 16 March 1918, tells of her early life in Los Herrera, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, and of living in the Rio Grande Valley.
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Interview with Estella Minerva Cuellar
Estella Minerva Cuellar and Janis Gray Wood
Estella Minerva Cuellar is a native of the Rio Grande Valley, a retired classroom teacher, a president of the McAllen ISD school board, and has been involved in education all her life. She talks about the challenges and changes in education.
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Interview with Celia Cuenca Cardenas
Celia Cuenca Cardenas and Merardo Macal
Celia Cuenca was born 19 October 1923. She talks about her early life.
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Interview with Willella Curnutt
Willella Curnutt and Arnulfo Salinas
Willella Curnutt talks about education, Great depression, and descendancy.
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Interview with Samuel Curry
Samuel Curry and Robert Everett Norton
Samuel Curry was born on 14 November 1903. Grew up and went to school at the Toluca Ranch. No summary information.
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Interview with Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 01
Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna
- 00:00 - Introduction
- 00:30 - Background information – where you born?
- 01:00 - Can you talk a little bit about your family (mother, father, brothers/sisters)?
- 02:00 - First years in School
- 03:00 - Kika lived with his uncles while he was studying at Mission, Texas.
- 04:20 - How did you get the nickname “Kika”?
- 06:00 - Can you tell us some childhood memories that you think about right now?
- 08:00 - Neighborhood friends and the Edinburg canal.
- 11:00 - How long were you in the Navy?
- 12:00 - What kind of influences did you have while you were growing up (people, grandmother, uncles)?
- 12:30 - Kika’s uncles – main and great influences to his life
- 14:00 - Were you were in any type of sport when you were in Mission High school?
- 15:00 - Football and basketball player.
- 17:30 - Kika did his associate at Edinburg Pan American University and then went to Saint Mary at San Antonio, Texas to start his law school degree.
- 18:50 - Can you just give us an idea about what has changed the most in the Valley since you were growing up compared to nowadays?
- 21:15 - How old do you were when you joined the Navy?
- 22:00 - Kika’s experiences at the Navy.
- 31:00 - Divisions at the Navy.
- 35:00 - Kika, back from the Navy continues his studies at Saint Mary at San Antonio.
- 36:30 - Why did you decide it to study law?
- 36:40 - Kika grew up in a political family.
- 40:00 - Kika ran for the legislature.
- 45:00 - Legislature facts.
- 51:00 - While you were in the Texas legislature, did you work on any agriculture issues?
- 52:00 - Is anything else you want to mention or add regarding to the Texas legislature?
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Interview with Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 02
Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna
- 00:00 - Introduction.
- 00:25 - Can you talk a little bit about the first time you ran for the congress?
- 02:50 - Did you have money for the first campaign?
- 03:40 - First run for the congress experiences.
- 04:40 - Kika has the support of his friends, family, and campaign manager for his first campaign.
- 06:30 - Kika remembers that there were not airports so it was harder to transport from place to place. “It was challenging but interesting.”
- 07:00 - Some of the congress members of South Texas background.
- 08:30 - Political powers at that time.
- 09:45 - What were some of the issues that you faced during your first campaign?
- 10:00 - Education – one of the major issues.
- 10:40 - Health – Kika supported Medicare and Medicaid.
- 13:00 - It was a hard campaign.
- 13:00 - They did not have a lot of money for the first campaign, however they had a lot of support.
- 13:30 - People who supported Kika’s first campaign.
- 14:30 - Texas delegation – members of congress.
- 16:00 - Kika was welcomed to the congress.
- 16:30 - Kika joined the Agriculture committee.
- 17:00 - Kika the youngest man at the congress at that time.
- 17:35 - Kika became chair of the Agriculture committee – the youngest chair of the committee.
- 20:40 - Political leaders.
- 22:10 - Kika was invited, together with his wife, to almost all the functions of the White House.
- 25:00 - Relations with Mexico and South America.
- 25:50 - Kennedy and the new progressive programs.
- 27:00 - Local Education.
- 30:00 - Federal Education and the creation of new buildings.
- 34:00 - Food programs for poor areas.
- 44:00 - Founding for food programs and the results.
- 46:00 - Kika explains that these programs were also nutritional.
- 48:50 - Benefits of the nutritional programs.
- 50:26 - Do you think that the money spent in these programs impacted the economy of the area?
- 1:00:00 - End of the interview.
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Interview with Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 03
Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna
- 00:00 - Introduction.
- 00:35 - General committee work.
- 01:15 - Can you tell us about your days working on the agriculture committee before you became chairman?
- 03:00 - Agriculture committee background.
- 06:00 - Third world countries became more involved in shipments.
- 09:17 - What kind of issues did you discuss in the committee?
- 10:00 - Grapefruit in Rio Grande Valley.
- 13:00 - Production and agriculture.
- 14:32 - Import and export vegetables.
- 16:55 - Third world countries became more involved in shipments.
- 18:00 - The port of Brownsville was the major port.
- 20:00 - How Technology started to be involved?
- 21:40 - Grapefruit in Rio Grande Valley.
- 26:00 - What are the benefits that the Valley has in the agriculture field?
- 33:00 - Research in agricultural production.
- 36:30 - Russia circumstances of production.
- 38:00 - Vegetables and fruits to the operation of agriculture.
- 40:15 - What areas besides the Valley do you think are good for growing grapefruit?
- 44:00 - Transportation.
- 46:30 - Has the agriculture at South Texas has increased?
- 48:00 - Producing Electricity for both sides of the River.
- 52:18 - Is there is an agreement between United States and Mexico for the Electricity?
- 53:00 - Saving money for the government and the people.
- 54:00 - Can you talk about the purposes of committee work?
- 56:00 - Is there anything else that you want to add?
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Interview with Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 04
Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna
- 00:00 - Introduction.
- 00:20 - Kika works on Johnson’s campaign.
- 02:25 - Kika's run for congress.
- 03:00 - What were your general thoughts in the Vietnam War?
- 07:04 - Involvement in Vietnam.
- 10:31 - Kika’s loyalty to President Johnson.
- 11:33 - The way Kika was helping on the war.
- 15:35 - Kika changes his views about the involvement in the Vietnam War.
- 16:45 - Background of the people that Kika met at the war.
- 24:22 - Vietnamese movement.
- 24:26 - Kika’s position.
- 26:11 - Political media disaster.
- 27:13 - Do you remember what your thoughts were when you realized that Johnson was not going to run for reelection?
- 27:33 - Did Johnson’s decision affect you?
- 28:43 - Good Spanish speaking friends at the White House.
- 31:29 - Did you support the program of 1968 for this area?
- 32:43 - Did you support President Kennedy's movement?
- 32:57 - Kika talks about his bilingual background.
- 34:27 - Kika talks about his education background.
- 35:00 - Mexican-Americans in Politics
- 35:15 - Elected Hispanics
- 35:44 - Martin Luther King assassinated and the Civil rights movement.
- 43:11 - Violence at the convention in Chicago.
- 43:35 - Changing the system peacefully.
- 46:37 - What were the main concerns about switching from a democratic president to a republican president?
- 47:00 - Did you centralize services?
- 47:23 - City councils.
- 48:00 - Do you think federalism is a good model of government?
- 50:16 - Kika’s campaign.
- 51:00 - Agriculture: feeding the people
- 54:00 - Did you have more work because of the centralization?
- 58:00 - Is there anything else you want to add?
- 1:01:00 - Influence of Texas at the federal level.
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Interview with Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 05
Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna
- 00:00 - Introduction
- 00:28 - What were your thoughts and feelings with regards to Jimmy Carter loss to Reagan in 1980?
- 01:33 - Were you surprised that Jimmy Carter lost?
- 02:40 - Do you think he lost because of the economic problems the country was having?
- 04:06 - Do you remember the general feeling in Washington right after Reagan got elected?
- 05:54 - So the people, generally were fearful of him coming to the presidency?
- 06:25 - Reagan was not all knowledgeable on agriculture so he used to rely on Kika’s input in terms of agriculture.
- 07:50 - The house was completely divided into Democrats and Republicans.
- 09:30 - Kika is against building a wall between United States and Mexico.
- 13:00 - Can you talk about the 1980's and the types of social problems that you noticed the nation was facing at that time?
- 19:30 - What was your work relationship with John Rusling Block (U.S. Secretary of Agriculture)?
- 27:00 - Kika’s input helped the people of Mexico and the United States to coordinate efforts, a good working relationship.
- 36:30 - Hundreds of young Mexicans, in order to come to United States; they volunteer to serve in the Army.
- 38:00 - Agriculture benefits to the economy; by bringing Mexicans to work either legally or illegally.
- 40:00 - VA hospital in the Valley and its challenges.
- 44:00 - Farmer rights regarding to production.
- 52:20 - Is there anything else you want to add?
- 52:36 - Earthquake in Mexico.
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Interview with Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 06
Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna
- 00:00 - Introduction
- 00:30 - Since George W. Bush was a Texan; how was your relationship with him and how did this relationship impact the Valley?
- 01:25 - Was that good for the Valley once George W. Bush became president?
- 02:00 - When he ran for reelection and lost to Bill Clinton; I think one of the biggest problems was the economy at that point… Did the economic issues impact the Valley at that time?
- 03:40 - At the end of Cold War, did the change of government impact your work on the agriculture committee?
- 05:00 - Kika’s relationship with Russian agriculture members.
- 07:27 - How was your relationship with Bill Clinton?
- 08:00 - President Bill Clinton had interest about Rio Grande Valley (South Texas area).
- 09:03 - In 1994 they promised 40 million dollars to help Rio Grande Valley improving work and lives in the Valley.
- 15:00 - Kika’s association with Mexico (regarding to Mexican products) and the impact of this association in both Mexico and the USA.
- 18:20 - Can you tell us about the talks between USA and Europe, in regards to the Agricultural aspects?
- 20:00 - Gap was positive for agriculture at some degree.
- 23:00 - Agriculture in Mexico.
- 24:05 - What was your relationship with Michael Espy (U.S. Secretary of Agriculture at that time)?
- 28:40 - Agricultural products and its issues in Texas.
- 31:00 - Can you talk about the first two years of Clinton presidency?
- 33:15 - 1994 midterm elections.
- 42:30 - Is there anything you want to add that you can think of?
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Interview with Guadalupe de la Garza - Part 01
Guadalupe de la Garza and Rocio Patricia Rodriguez
Guadalupe de la Garza gives a detailed history of her life. She talks about her childhood, religion, superstition, and life as a wife. Part 1 of 3.
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Interview with Guadalupe de la Garza - Part 02
Guadalupe de la Garza and Rocio Patricia Rodriguez
Guadalupe de la Garza gives a detailed history of her life. She talks about her childhood, religion, superstition, and life as a wife. Part 2 of 3.
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Interview with Guadalupe de la Garza - Part 03
Guadalupe de la Garza and Rocio Patricia Rodriguez
Guadalupe de la Garza gives a detailed history of her life. She talks about her childhood, religion, superstition, and life as a wife. Part 3 of 3.
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Interview with Rodolfo De La Garza
Rodolfo De La Garza and Denise Leslie Kemp
Rodolfo De La Garza, a historian, talks about his life in the Rio Grande Valley. He was born in 1906 in old Reynosa, he came to the US when he was four years old with his parents. He used to visit La Joya to look at it. Colliers magazine came out to write about the corruption in Hidalgo County. In 1927 he went to Sam Houston College, where he was the second Hispanic student. He then began teaching in 1929-30. He discusses the Good Government League against Baker’s corruption allegations. De La Garza discusses the Battle of Ojo de Agua when General de la Rosa attacked, and the origin of the name referring to a spring. He discusses working as a proofreader for the Good Government League’s newspaper. He discusses Milton West’s push for a canal that was blocked by water pumping interests on the river. De La Garza and Reynaldo talk about the history of the school district in La Joya. The recording skips at 31:50 to another recording of a meeting.
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Interview with Isabel de la Rosa Montalvo
Isabel de la Rosa Montalvo and Ruben Alaniz
Isabel de la Rosa Montalvo was born in 1920 in China, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
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Interview with Koy Detmer
Koy Detmer and Manuel Rodriguez
Interview with former Philadelphia Eagle Quaterback Koy Detmer, he talks about his time growing in Mission, and his experiences as football coach, player and some favorite sports traditions.
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Interview with Aurora V. Diaz
Aurora V. Diaz and Diana Yvette Garza
Aurora V. Diaz talks about schools, churches and entertainment. She was born 13 January 1895, in Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
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Interview with Felix Dominguez
Felix Dominguez and Terrie Dominguez
Felix Dominguez talks about education and work. He was born on 09 September 1909, in El Rosario Ranch, Hidalgo County, Texas.
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Interview with Francisco Dominguez
Francisco Dominguez and Mary Elva Salas
Francisco Dominguez talks about his early childhood and marriage. He was born 12 May 1910, in Cadereyta, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
