South Texas Stories

Items

• Oral History Interview of Christopher Jones
  This is an oral history recording of Mr. Christopher Jones Sr. interviewed by Alyssa Lucas. Mr. Christopher Jones reminisces about his time in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Corpus Christi recounting how it has changed over time; his neighborhood’s culture and community; the Harbor Bridge; and a variety of stories that occurred during his youth that made him into the man that he is today.
• Oral History Interview of Bea Hanson
  This is an oral history recording of Bea Hanson interviewed by Zarin Hendrix. Bea Hanson talks about migrating to the United States from Mexico; the process in which she received citizenship; her career in the United States; family history; and being the director of the Coastal Bend Food Bank.
• Oral History of Ruben Almeida Jr.
  This is an oral history recording of Ruben Almeida Jr. interviewed by Tera Elwell. Mr. Almeida talks about his film school background, the mental health of journalist and having to work at the Corpus Christi bay front during Hurricane Harvey.
• Oral History Interview of David Cuevas
  This is an oral history recording of David Cuevas interviewed by Sierra Vela. David Cuevas talks about his personal life working for Southwestern Bell and his family and their history in Corpus Christi. He speaks about his personal life and briefly touches on his time in the Vietnam War and how it affected his life afterwards. He touches on the importance of tacos in culture and how it meant to him when he was younger.
• Oral History Interview of Corky Gallegos
  This is an oral history recording of Corky Gallegos interviewed by Michael Franco. Mr. Corky Gallegos gives us some background on how he was raised in South Texas and some of the memories he remembers growing up into what helped his childhood and young adulthood. He was one of the top baseball coaches in South Texas but he was guided and mentored by some of the best before him that he help keep the traditions and helped put South Texas on the radar from people all over the country by coaching some of the biggest games in all of high school baseball.
• Oral History Interview of Phillip Bryson
  This is an oral history recording of Phillip Bryson, interviewed by Makayla Bryson. Mr. Bryson talks about his early life and family in Oklahoma, and about his many years working in the oilfield, the sort of effects he has seen the oilfield have and how his job has affected his life personally.
• Oral History Interview of Mr. Abel Cavada
  This is an oral history recording of Mr. Abel Cavada interviewed by Francisco Garza Jr. Mr. Cavada talks about La Raza Unida Party; the party’s beginning, rise, and fall; his role in the party as a newspaper editor and lawyer.
• Oral History Interview of Sara Jose
  This is an oral history recording of Sara Jose interviewed by James Hurst. Jose discusses her family upbringing, educational background, professional duties at the Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve and Learning Center, and the science behind Corpus Christi as a home for one of the most diverse quantities of bird species in the country.
• Oral History Interview of Mark Test
  This is an oral history interview of senior chief Mark Test USN retired. He details his life history, service in the US Navy and work he did on the USS Lexington.
• Oral History Interview of Michael Diaz
  This is an oral history recording of Michael Diaz interviewed by Hannah Hudak. Mr. Diaz discusses notable moments from his childhood as well as how he became the museum director of the Whitehead Memorial Museum located in Del Rio. Since becoming museum director, Diaz has created a myriad of exhibits showcasing the history of Val Verde County. Notably, Mr. Diaz created an exhibit showcasing the events of the Del Rio Flood of 1998. Within the interview, Mr. Diaz discusses his own personal experience with the flood and how the events altered life within the city of Del Rio.
• Oral History Interview of Christine Udeani
  This is an oral history recording done by Angelina Udeani of Christine Udeani. She immigrated from Nigeria to the United States. The recording is based on Christine’s life experiences in Nigeria compared to her living in South Texas. This is a variety of her stories and how she has emigrated into society.
• Oral History Interview of Nicole Cruz
  This is an oral history recording of Nicole Cruz interviewed by Anastasia Cruz. Nicole Cruz, the head librarian at Sharyland High School and Sharyland Advanced Academic Academy talks about her experience as a librarian and how she feels about the concept of banning books.
• Oral History Interview of Mr. Henry Williams
  This is an oral history recording of Mr. Henry Williams interviewed by Alyssa Lucas. Mr. Henry Williams talks about his life in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Corpus Christi and how it has changed over time; his faith and its impact on his community work; the Inner Harbor Desalination Plant and the Harbor Bridge; and the changes he would like to see come to the Hillcrest neighborhood.
• Oral History Interview of Dr. Thomas A. Oldham
  This is an oral history recording of Dr. Thomas A. Oldham interviewed by Pilar A. Harkless. Dr. Oldham discusses his life and career teaching theater history as well as the legacy of playwright Terrence McNally.
• Oral History Interview of Mr. Gordon Leavell
  This is an oral history recording of Gordon Leavell interviewed by Nicholas Himes. Mr. Leavell talks about his background and early life growing up on a farm near Robstown, Texas; his experiences picking cotton as a child; and his thoughts on the controversy over the Robstown High School mascot, the Cotton Pickers.
• Oral History Interview of Martin Sanchez
  This is an oral history recording of Martin Sanchez interviewed by Rene Ruiz. Martin Sanchez talks about his personal experiences of being in Hurricane Celia in 1970, when he had just turned ten years old.
• Oral History Interview of Carlos H. Valdez Sr.
  This is an oral history interview of Carlos H. Valdez Sr. conducted by Mia G. Valdez. Mr. Valdez talks about his involvement with the South Texas Steelworkers' Union, Local 5022; his work at Asarco (American Smelting and Refining Company); the environmental impact of Asarco; his involvement in local politics as Precinct Chairman in Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Oral History Interview of Dr. Ariel Kelley
  This is an oral history interview with Dr. Ariel ("Allie") Kelley interviewed by Michael Watson. Dr. Kelley discusses her entrance into her current field and gives a breakdown of the American Civil War battle, the Battle of Corpus Christi.
• Oral History Interview of Elena Crawford
  This is an oral history interview of Elena Crawford interviewed by Justin Bucholtz. Elena discusses her experience with Hurricane Harvey in 2017; the harrowing return to her home after evacuation; the struggle of recovery after disaster; and the recovery of the town and people of Port Aransas, Texas.
• Oral History Interview of Karen Howden (Part Two)
  This is part two of an oral history recording. Howden continues discussing historic preservation of Old Bayview Cemetery. She also tells the stories of some of the people buried there.
• Oral History Interview with Karen Howden (Part One)
  This is an oral history recording of Karen Howden interviewed by Aurora Kolar. Mrs. Howden talks about her role in the preservation of Old Bayview Cemetery as well as historic preservation and the challenges of preserving the cemetery.
• Oral History Interview of Frank R. Torres
  This is an oral history recording of Frank R. Torres interviewed by Emily Torres. Frank R. Torres talks about his lifelong career of working on the railroad; his experiences being Mexican American on the railroad; and his life after retirement.
• Oral History Interview with Joel Garcia
  This is an oral history recording of Mr. Joel Garcia, a pastor in Refugio, Texas, interviewed by Richard Quiroz. Mr. Garcia talks about his role as a pastor at Joy Ministries; his experiences with hurricanes; his role in providing shelter and resources to the community after Hurricane Harvey; and his reflection on these events.
• Oral History Interview of Dr. Mark Robbins
  This is an oral history recording of Dr. Mark Robbins interviewed by Troy Nessner. Dr. Robbins talks about becoming an educator, moving to Corpus Christi, Texas, working with local history groups such as the Nueces County Historical Commission, producing oral histories of a migrant labor camp, working on historical markers, and a collaborative public history project done at Artesian Park.
• Oral History Interview of Dr. Dara Orbach
  This is an oral history recording of Dr. Dara Orbach, interviewed by Maxwell McClure. Dr. Orbach talks about her work as a marine biologist and what led to take the career path she is on. This includes details about her undergraduate studies, graduate studies, research experience with marine mammals, and her current work that she does in her lab at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She also gives advice for prospective students who want to study marine mammals.