Smith, Marlin R Jr 1973-10-05

Marlin R. Smith, former Lubbock City Engineer, gives a historical account of engineering projects in Lubbock. This interview was done for the Joint Commission on Oral Engineering History. Note: The first 50 feet of Tape 1 was accidentally erased.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Marlin R. Smith Jr.

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: October 05, 1973

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Cliff Keho and Jeff Townsend

Length: 1 hour 10 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: [First 50 feet accidentally erased—narrator gives summary of contents], Background summarized, Born in Coleman, Texas (1903), Attended Texas A & M University, [Regular taped conversation begins], Describes experiences at Texas A & M, During college had job with Coleman County, Engineer Corps, After graduation tried several jobs, Came to Lubbock on July 4, 1924, Hired by engineering firm, Left the Lubbock firm to work in Childress, Texas (March 1926), Returned to Lubbock as a city engineer (July 1926), Worked on projects concerned with storm sewage, Lubbock water supply enlarged under his supervision, Recalls brick pavement for streets, Cost of brick was inexpensive, Comments on reasons for brick pavement, Asphalt paving remembered.

Tape 1, Side 2: Contracts for pavement system explained, Recounts Works Project Association help during Depression, Talks of water storage projects, Process for drilling wells described, City Engineering Department developed, Became City Manager of Lubbock, Organized own firm (1945).

Tape 2, Side 1: Discussion about firm’s consultant work (continued), Consultant engineer firm’s development in Lubbock described, Explains his own firm’s expansion to El Paso, Firm’s growth noted, Number of personnel expanded, Firm was incorporated, Lists interesting jobs firm has had, Explains Lubbock’s waste disposal system, Railroad building recalled, Comments on history of surveying in Lubbock area.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1903-1973

Bulk Dates: 1924-1950

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

---

Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.