Rio Grande Valley Oral Histories
Identifier
ELIBR0027-Ballard, EB 1973
Files
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Creation Date
10-16-1973
Disciplines
History
Description
This summary was generated with MS Co-pilot AI:
Part 1: Everette B. Ballard recounts his family’s move from Kansas to the Rio Grande Valley in 1920, describing the harsh travel conditions, primitive roads, and the challenges of clearing land for farming. He explains how they established citrus groves and a nursery business, later expanding into palms, avocados, and mangoes, and eventually managing thousands of acres of groves. Ballard shares experiences with floods, freezes, hurricanes, and evolving agricultural practices, emphasizing the resilience required to succeed. He reflects on the Valley’s transformation, his role in local organizations, and expresses pride in his lifelong contributions to its development. Part 2: Everette B. Ballard recalls early development efforts in the Rio Grande Valley, including building infrastructure like water towers and hotels by hand and the challenges of farming innovations such as introducing celery to the region. He describes the hard work and long hours during the area’s growth period, the impact of historical events like hurricanes and wars, and local geography changes over time. Ballard also shares stories about transportation routes, hidden treasures, and the construction of major projects like the Falcon Dam, emphasizing the transformation of the land and community through perseverance and resourcefulness.
Format
MP3
Length
00:57:48
Language
English
Notes
Interview recorded in two parts
Recommended Citation
Ballard, Everette B. and Gates, Aubrey B., "Interview with Everette B. Ballard (Part 1)" (1973). Rio Grande Valley Oral Histories. 560.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/rgvoralhistories/560
