Watts, Clyde 1973-07-02

Clyde Watts, Engineer of the Surveys and Records Office of Dallas, reviews his career, recalls early city parks and relates the problems of surveying in "varas."

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Clyde Watts

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: July 02, 1973

Location: Dallas, Texas

Interviewer: Harry Jebsen, Robert Newton

Length: 45 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Research materials in city maps described, Comments on function of Engineer of Surveys, Review of career, Early Dallas parks remembered, Effect of Depression, Texas Centennial on survey office activities, Development of Oak Cliff, East Dallas and others mentioned, Impressions of early parks given, Deteriorating influence of Mexican population on communities claimed, Baseball activities recalled, Confinement of play areas to school grounds cited, Crowded conditions of golf parks, L. B. Houston discussed.

Tape 1, Side 2: Description of park department work, Attitudes toward parks given, Samuels’ donation of park property discussed, Discrepancies in land measurement units and resulting problems examined, Role of Property Management Division and Survey Office differentiated.

Range Dates: 1930s-1973

Bulk Dates: 1936-1960s

Access Information

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Transcript:

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