A People’s History of the Inland Empire Digital Archive

Items

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  Sam Coyazo Interview Remastered

  1997 interview with Sam Coyazo. Sam speaks about his upbringing, the development of surrounding communities, his education and pleasures, his work as a packer and his military experience, and the process of "smudging" at citrus groves.
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  Angelina Cosme and Margaret Castro Interview

  2000 interview with Angelina Cosme and Margaret Castro begins with their earliest memories of Redlands in what they call "the Barrio Judio" on Harold Street because "it belonged to some Jews, Jewish people." They both discuss their family's histories and particularly immigration to the U.S. Both Cosme and Castro attended Lugonia school and St Mary's church and have vivid memories of the Great Depression and World War II in Redlands. Both worked at citrus packinghouses and recall the work as well as the pay, Castro explains that due to her asthma she had to stop packing. They discuss the photographs they brought and the different people in them.
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  Amado & Jose Casillas Interview (Spanish)

  2000 interview with Amado & Jose Casillas. Mr. Amado Casillas and his son Jose Casillas who translate discuss coming to the US under the bracero program in 1956. Amado retells his experience in the program, the employee living conditions as well as social discrimination he faced.
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  Simona (Sammy) Castillo Interview

  1995 interview with Simona (Sammy) Castillo part 1. Reflects on her life and the life of her father who was one of the first Mexican workers in East Highland. For 66 years her dad worked at East Highland Ranch. He lived in Colton, her mother in Bryn Mawr before marrying. Parents arrived in the region c. 1884 from Mexico by way of El Paso. Sammy reflects on her childhood in East Highland followed by her graduation from the University of Redlands and her 42 years as a nurse which she cherished. The audio continues for two minutes after the transcript indicates the interview has ended.
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  Joe Arredondo Water Interview

  1999 interview with Joe Arredondo April 30, 1999, focusing specifically on water as Arredondo is the water man for the Greenspot Mutual and Greenspot Mutual Well in addition to being the treasurer and secretary for the water companies. He describes how he diverts the water, the process of shares, the use of Mundi water during dry years, and the growing cost of maintaining the pipes. He discusses the division of water between cities like Highland, Mentone, Redlands, Colton, as well as Riverside and Orange County.
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  Joe Arredondo and Evelyn Pedro Interview

  1997 interview with Joe Arredondo, editors note: Part 1 of the interview was lost due to equipment failure. Joe Arredondo discusses citrus picking crews and the state of the citrus industry and citrus properties at the moment (1990s). The conversation turns to water rights and the possibility of Highland or Redlands annexing Greenspot, they discuss zanjeros, well water, and the construction of larger water pipes in the region. Evelyn Pedro reminds Arredondo about his involvement in the Progretista and he describes his negative experience with the organization.
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  Alfred Armendarez Interview

  2000 interview with Alfred Armendarez in which he discusses his early life, including his earliest memory: the 1930s fire at Elephant Orchard Packing House. Armendarez discusses both citrus picking and packing in Redlands as well as his family's experience picking grapes in August. As Armendarez recalls life growing up in Redlands he briefly mentions Lincoln School, Redlands High School, Sylvan Plunge, and the House of Neighborly Service. Armendarez was drafted right out of high school and recalls his experience in the Navy and the transition into civilan life in which he went back to agricultural work for a brief time before working at Universal Rundle until they closed in 1982. Armendarez shares his songbook with old songs dating back to the 1940s and discusses some of the organizations he was involved in such as LULAC and the Menudo Club.
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  Eunice Gonzales and Blas Coyazo Interview

  Interview with Blas Coyazo and Eunice Gonzales on community life and growing up in Redlands.
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  Blas Coyazo Interview

  1994 interview with Blas Coyazo in which he focuses on citrus/migrant labor, his military service in World War II and life in Redlands.
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  Edward Barbo Interview

  Interview with Edward Barbo, February 14, 1995. Speaks on his family arriving to Redlands, growing up in Redlands, and his military and aircraft mechanic experience.
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  Isabel "Al" Alva Interview

  1995 interview with Isabel "Al' Alva describing his life beginning with attending school in a segreagted "Latino" elementary and junior high school in Mt. Vernon, CA, his move to Redlands, CA, time spent in the citrus industry, and deploying to Korea during the Korean War after enlisting in the Air Force. Kaiser and Santa Fe railroad and Norton military base are also noted. Al's experience with Lincoln School in Redlands during the 1960's desegregation is addressed as well as his fight to launch Head Start, a community ran program designed to support low-income families and families of color. He describes Redlands "Anglo-Saxon" elites dissent of Head Start.