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Home > LIB > SPECCOLL > RGVORALHISTORIES

Special Collections and Archives
 

Rio Grande Valley - Oral Histories

The Rio Grande Valley Oral History Collection consists of over 500 digitized oral histories recorded and collected by faculty, staff, students, and community members and donated to the University Library. Oral histories provide unique, and in many instances, otherwise unavailable written information, and as such provide valuable insight into life in the region, including immigration, military service, ranching, education, agriculture, border violence, sports, and much more.

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  • Josefina Acosta Ibanez by Josefina Acosta Ibanez and Francisca Rodriguez

    Josefina Acosta Ibanez

    Josefina Acosta Ibanez and Francisca Rodriguez

    Born in 1920 in La Grulla, Starr County, Texas and recorded on 12 April 1987.

  • Francisca Aguilar by Francisca Aguilar and Juan Martin Guerra

    Francisca Aguilar

    Francisca Aguilar and Juan Martin Guerra

    Francisca Aguilar talks about prices of items, entertainment and transportation.

  • Domingo Alcazar by Domingo Alcazar and Jose Trinidad Molina

    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.

  • Oliver Cromwell Aldrich, Jr. by Oliver Cromwell Aldrich Jr. and Robert Everett Norton

    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.

  • Jesse Almaguer by Jesse Almaguer and Corina Cantu

    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.

  • Frank Anderson and Dorothy Anderson by Frank Anderson, Dorothy Anderson, and Sandra Veronica Barrera

    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.

  • Miller F. Armstrong by Miller F. Armstrong

    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.

  • Margie Austin by Margie Austin and Silvia Ann Olivarez

    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.

  • Antonio L. Ayala by Antonio L. Ayala and Ricardo Alfredo Villarreal

    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.

  • Juanita Ayala by Juanita Ayala and Nora Cantu

    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.

  • M. J. Baily by M. J. Baily and Mary Elva Salas

    M. J. Baily

    M. J. Baily and Mary Elva Salas

    M. J. Baily talks about his teenage life, the depression and farming.

  • Gillespie Parish Baker - Part 01 by Gillespie Parish Baker and Robert Everett Norton

    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, life, and changes in Edinburg.

  • Gillespie Parish Baker - Part 02 by Gillespie Parish Baker and Robert Everett Norton

    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.

  • Jack William Baldwin by Jack William Baldwin and Robert Everett Norton

    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.

  • Eliza E. Barrera - Part 01 by Eliza E. Barrera and Corina Cantu

    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.

  • Eliza E. Barrera - Part 02 by Eliza E. Barrera and Corina Cantu

    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.

  • Guadalupe Barrera by Guadalupe Barrera and Rolando Pena

    Guadalupe Barrera

    Guadalupe Barrera and Rolando Pena

    Guadalupe Barrera talks about her early childhood experiences and how her family subsisted on what they planted.

  • Leonor Barrera by Leonor Barrera and Diana Yvette Garza

    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.

  • Rafael Barrera by Rafael Barrera and Diana Yvette Garza

    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.

  • Manuela Barrios by Manuela Barrios and Ricardo De Luna

    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.

  • Pilar Benavides by Pilar Benavides and Maria Zapata

    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.

  • Lloyd Bentsen Sr. - Part 01 by Lloyd Bentsen Sr., Denice Leslie Kemp, and Richard Kemp

    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

  • Lloyd Bentsen Sr. - Part 02 by Lloyd Bentsen Sr., Denice Leslie Kemp, and Richard Kemp

    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.

  • Jimmy K. Beresty - Part 01 by Jimmy K. Beresty and Tony G. Hyba

    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.

  • Jimmy K. Beresty - Part 02 by Jimmy K. Beresty and Tony G. Hyba

    Jimmy K. Beresty - Part 02

    Jimmy K. Beresty and Tony G. Hyba

    Jimmy K. Beresty relates his life history.

  • Celestino Bernal by Celestino Bernal and Efrain Bernal

    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.

  • Weldon C. Blackwell by Weldon C. Blackwell and Glenn Housley

    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.

  • Frances Wood Borman by Frances Wood Borman and Betty Fogarty

    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.

  • William Bill Borman by William Bill Borman and Robert Everett Norton

    William Bill Borman

    William Bill Borman and Robert Everett Norton

    William Borman tells about his life.

  • Maurice Boyd Cramer by Maurice Boyd Cramer and Robert Everett Norton

    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.

  • Lucy Brandt by Lucy Brandt and Silvia Ann Olivarez

    Lucy Brandt

    Lucy Brandt and Silvia Ann Olivarez

    Lucy Vavra Brandt talks about her early life and the Great depression.

  • Clay Brazeal and Elizabeth B. Sammons by Clay Brazeal, Elizabeth B. Sammons, and Robert Everett Norton

    Clay Brazeal and Elizabeth B. Sammons

    Clay Brazeal, Elizabeth B. Sammons, and Robert Everett Norton

    Clay Brazeal and Elizabeth B. Sammons 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.

  • Harold E. Brehm by Harold E. Brehm and Robert Everett Norton

    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.

  • Maria Brewster Castillo by Maria Brewster Castillo and Norma Linda Castillo

    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.

  • Darrell Brumley by Darrell Brumley and Harry Carter Quin

    Darrell Brumley

    Darrell 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.

  • Irene Bullion by Irene Bullion and Edna D. Salinas

    Irene Bullion

    Irene Bullion and Edna D. Salinas

    Irene Bullion tells about her family and the Great depression.

  • Ina Buss by Ina Buss and Marilyn R. Nowak

    Ina Buss

    Ina Buss and Marilyn R. Nowak

    Ina Buss talks about her life and family.

  • Lewis Callis by Lewis Callis and Diana Barrientes

    Lewis Callis

    Lewis Callis and Diana Barrientes

    Lewis Callis talks about his childhood, hobbies and time served in World War II.

  • Charles Edward Cameron by Charles Edward Cameron and Robert Everett Norton

    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.

  • Alicia Cano by Alicia Cano and Robert Andrew Nelson

    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.

  • Benilde Cano by Benilde Cano and Mytla Pecina

    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.

  • Guadalupe Cano by Guadalupe Cano and Andy Longoria Perez

    Guadalupe Cano

    Guadalupe Cano and Andy Longoria Perez

    Guadalupe Cano talks about life on a farm and about animals.

  • Fidela R. Cantu by Fidela R. Cantu and Corina Cantu

    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.

  • Juanita Rosales Cantu by Juanita Rosales Cantu and Robert A. Hinojosa

    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.

  • Magdaleno Cantu by Magdaleno Cantu and Crystal Marie Cantu

    Magdaleno Cantu

    Magdaleno Cantu and Crystal Marie Cantu

    Magdaleno Cantu talks about his early life in Mexico.

  • Manuel Cantu by Manuel Cantu, Charles J. Ellard, and Jaime Cardoza

    Manuel Cantu

    Manuel Cantu, 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.

  • Maria Cantu by Maria Cantu and Guadalupe Torres

    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.

  • Ricardo Cantu by Ricardo Cantu and Kelly M. Saenz

    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.

  • Anita Cardenas by Anita Cardenas and Leticia Miroslava Gamboa

    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.

  • Santos Cardoza by Santos Cardoza and Rocio Patricia Rodriguez

    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.

  • Cora Carson by Cora Carson and Cynthia E. Garza

    Cora Carson

    Cora Carson and Cynthia E. Garza

    Cora Carson born in 17 March, 1923 in Iowa talks about her life history.

  • Vernon Carson by Vernon Carson and Cynthia E. Garza

    Vernon Carson

    Vernon Carson and Cynthia E. Garza

    Vernon Carson talks about his life history and his World War II experiences.

  • Cosme Casares Munoz by Cosme Casares Munoz and Leticia Miroslava Gamboa

    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.

  • Genoveva Castaneda Dominguez, Enriqueta Jalifi by Genoveva Castaneda Dominguez, Enriqueta Jalifi, and Diana Barrientes

    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.

  • Eduardo Castellanos by Eduardo Castellanos

    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.

  • Adela Castilleja by Adela Castilleja and Oralia Betancourt

    Adela Castilleja

    Adela Castilleja and Oralia Betancourt

    Adela Castilleja tells about life in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and in Edinburg, Texas.

  • Juan Castillo by Juan Castillo and Corina Castillo

    Juan Castillo

    Juan Castillo and Corina Castillo

    Juan Castillo born on 06 July, 1922 tells about growing up during the 1930's.

  • Juan Castillo by Juan Castillo and Miguel Torres

    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.

  • Francisca M. Castro - Part 01 by Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias

    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.

  • Francisca M. Castro - Part 02 by Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias

    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.

  • Francisca M. Castro - Part 03 by Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias

    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.

  • Francisca M. Castro - Part 04 by Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias

    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.

  • Francisca M. Castro - Part 05 by Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias

    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.

  • Francisca M. Castro - Part 06 by Francisca M. Castro and Augustine Farias

    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.

  • Elias Cavazos - Part 01 by Elias Cavazos and Robert Everett Norton

    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.

  • Elias Cavazos - Part 02 by Elias Cavazos and Robert Everett Norton

    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.

  • Andrew Champion - Part 01 by Andrew Champion and Robert Everett Norton

    Andrew Champion - Part 01

    Andrew Champion and Robert Everett Norton

    Andrew Champion relates the story of the Champion family, the history of Donna, Texas.

  • Andrew Champion - Part 02 by Andrew Champion and Robert Everett Norton

    Andrew Champion - Part 02

    Andrew Champion and Robert Everett Norton

    Andrew Champion relates the story of the Champion family, the history of Donna, Texas.

  • Amancio Chapa by Amancio Chapa Sr. and Robert Everett Norton

    Amancio Chapa

    Amancio Chapa Sr. and Robert Everett Norton

    No summary information.

  • Jose E. Chapa by Jose E. Chapa and Douglas E. Erickson

    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.

  • Jesus Chavana by Jesus Chavana and Oralia Betancourt

    Jesus Chavana

    Jesus Chavana and Oralia Betancourt

    Jesus Chavana relates his experiences in World War II in 1942.

  • Elizabeth Ewing Christenson by Elizabeth Ewing Christenson and Robert Everett Norton

    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.

  • Harry Cole by Harry Cole and Marilyn R. Nowak

    Harry Cole

    Harry Cole and Marilyn R. Nowak

    0:00 - Introduction and Cole's background.

    4:18 - How Cole raised his children.

    7:15 - The changes to the Rio Grande Valley Cole has seen.

    9:13 - 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.

  • Shelley Hale Collier Sr. by Shelley Hale Collier Sr.

    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.

  • Maria Compian by Maria Compian and Sandra Cardenas

    Maria Compian

    Maria Compian and Sandra Cardenas

    [Maria Compean] No summary information.

  • Maria Conde by Maria Conde and Sandra Cardenas

    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.

  • Concha M. Cortez by Concha M. Cortez and Joseph S. Hoy

    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.

  • Estella Minerva Cuellar by Estella Minerva Cuellar and Janis Gray Wood

    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.

  • Celia Cuenca Cardenas by Celia Cuenca Cardenas and Merardo Macal

    Celia Cuenca Cardenas

    Celia Cuenca Cardenas and Merardo Macal

    Celia Cuenca was born 19 October 1923. She talks about her early life.

  • Willella Curnutt by Willella Curnutt and Arnulfo Salinas

    Willella Curnutt

    Willella Curnutt and Arnulfo Salinas

    Willella Curnutt talks about education, Great depression, and descendancy.

  • Samuel Curry by Samuel Curry and Robert Everett Norton

    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.

  • Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 01 by Eligio (Kika) de la Garza and Diane Tyink

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 01

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza and Diane Tyink

    0:00 Introduction

    0:30 Background information – where you born?

    1:00 Can you talk a little bit about your family (mother, father, brothers/sisters)?

    2:00 First years in School

    3:00 Kika lived with his uncles while he was studying at Mission, Texas.

    4:20 How did you get the nickname “Kika”?

    6:00 Can you tell us some childhood memories that you think about right now?

    8:00 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?

  • Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 02 by Eligio (Kika) de la Garza and Diane Tyink

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 02

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza and Diane Tyink

    0:00 Introduction.

    00:25 Can you talk a little bit about the first time you ran for the congress?

    2:50 Did you have money for the first campaign?

    3:40 First run for the congress experiences.

    4:40 Kika has the support of his friends, family, and campaign manager for his first campaign.

    6:30 Kika remembers that there were not airports so it was harder to transport from place to place. “It was challenging but interesting.”

    7:00 Some of the congress members of South Texas background.

    8:30 Political powers at that time.

    9:45 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.

  • Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 03 by Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 03

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna

    0:00 Introduction.
    0:35 General committee work.
    1:15 Can you tell us about your days working on the agriculture committee before you became chairman?
    3:00 Agriculture committee background.
    6:00 Third world countries became more involved in shipments.
    9:17 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?

  • Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 04 by Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 04

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna

    0:00 Introduction.
    0:20 Kika works on Johnson’s campaign.
    2:25 Kika's run for congress.
    3:00 What were your general thoughts in the Vietnam War?
    7:04 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.

  • Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 05 by Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 05

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna

    0:00 Introduction
    0:28 What were your thoughts and feelings with regards to Jimmy Carter loss to Reagan in 1980?
    1:33 Were you surprised that Jimmy Carter lost?
    2:40 Do you think he lost because of the economic problems the country was having?
    4:06 Do you remember the general feeling in Washington right after Reagan got elected?
    5:54 So the people, generally were fearful of him coming to the presidency?
    6:25 Reagan was not all knowledgeable on agriculture so he used to rely on Kika’s input in terms of agriculture.
    7:50 The house was completely divided into Democrats and Republicans.
    9:30 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.

  • Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 06 by Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza - Part 06

    Eligio (Kika) de la Garza, Diane Tyink, and Joe Reyna

    0:00 Introduction

    0:30 Since George W. Bush was a Texan; how was your relationship with him and how did this relationship impact the Valley?

    1:25 Was that good for the Valley once George W. Bush became president?

    2:00 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?

    3:40 At the end of Cold War, did the change of government impact your work on the agriculture committee?

    5:00 Kika’s relationship with Russian agriculture members.

    7:27 How was your relationship with Bill Clinton?

    8:00 President Bill Clinton had interest about Rio Grande Valley (South Texas area).

    9:03 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?

  • Guadalupe de la Garza - Part 01 by Guadalupe de la Garza and Rocio Patricia Rodriguez

    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.

  • Guadalupe de la Garza - Part 02 by Guadalupe de la Garza and Rocio Patricia Rodriguez

    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.

  • Guadalupe de la Garza - Part 03 by Guadalupe de la Garza and Rocio Patricia Rodriguez

    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.

  • Rodolfo De La Garza by Rodolfo De La Garza and Denise Leslie Kemp

    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

  • Isabel de la Rosa Montalvo by Isabel de la Rosa Montalvo and Ruben Alaniz

    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.

  • Koy Detmer by Koy Detmer and Manuel Rodriguez

    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.

  • Aurora V. Diaz by Aurora V. Diaz and Diana Yvette Garza

    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.

  • Felix Dominguez by Felix Dominguez and Terrie Dominguez

    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.

  • Francisco Dominguez by Francisco Dominguez and Mary Elva Salas

    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.

  • Zeferino Dominguez by Zeferino Dominguez and Terrie Dominguez

    Zeferino Dominguez

    Zeferino Dominguez and Terrie Dominguez

    Zeferino Dominguez was born March 24, 1917, in Rio Grande City, Texas. He talks about his childhood and work in the fields.

  • Eric John Dube by Eric John Dube and Robert Everett Norton

    Eric John Dube

    Eric John Dube and Robert Everett Norton

    Eric John Dube was born 04 December 1907. He tells an informative story about life in the McAllen area including visit of troops, character of Main Street, use of the Hidalgo-Reynosa Ferry, work in the Post Office. Tells of a train trip into the Valley stopped because of sand drifting across the tracks.

  • Edna Doris Parks Dubois - Part 01 by Edna Doris Dubois Parks and Robert Everett Norton

    Edna Doris Parks Dubois - Part 01

    Edna Doris Dubois Parks and Robert Everett Norton

    Edna Doris Parks Dubois tells of her childhood in Colorado, her move to the Valley, stories of early Valley life and the telephone system. She was born 1 December 1897, in Longmount, Colorado.

  • Edna Doris Parks Dubois - Part 02 by Edna Doris Dubois Parks and Robert Everett Norton

    Edna Doris Parks Dubois - Part 02

    Edna Doris Dubois Parks and Robert Everett Norton

    Edna Doris Parks Dubois tells of her childhood in Colorado, her move to the Valley, stories of early Valley life and the telephone system. She was born 1 December 1897, in Longmount, Colorado.

 
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