Castellano, Otilo J 1999-12-07

Otilo J. Castellano, Jr. talks about growing up in Lubbock, Texas, the changes he has seen in Lubbock, his work experience, attending Texas Tech University, the Hispanic community in Lubbock, and the Hispanic involvement in Lubbock politics.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Otilo J. Castellano

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: December 7, 1999

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Daniel U. Sanchez

Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Maternal Grandparents, From Kansas, Paternal Grandparents, From Mexico, Father: b. New Mexico, Mother:, b. Sweewater, Texas, Both families moved to Lubbock, Texas in 1924, Father (again), Worked for the railroad, Mother: A homemaker after marriage, Worked in the fields and as a housekeeper before marriage, Grandparents homesteaded in the Lubbock, Texas area, Tornado – 1970, Lost homes, family, and neighbors, Castellano, Jr.,Otilo J., b.Lubbock, Texas, December 22, 1953, Education, Guadalupe Elementary – Lubbock, TX, School children helping move to the new elementary school, Thompson Junior High School, Lubbock High School – graduated in 1972, Texas Tech University – BS degree – 1988, Texas Tech – 1972, Few Hispanic students and organizations, Coming back in the 1980’s as non-traditional student, Difference in student body between 1970’s and the 1980’s, Castellano Family, Other family members who went to college, Career, Furr’s Grocery Store – 16 years, beginning at age 14, From stockroom to Assistant Manager, Returned to Texas Tech full time, Three part-time jobs while in school, KK’s Video – sister-in-law’s business, Small Business Administration, Turned down job opportunities to remain in Lubbock, TX, Non-traditional student experiences, Younger professors, Drawing on life experiences, Childhood experiences, Neighborhood grocery store, Play, Shopping downtown Lubbock, TX – stores, Description of downtown Lubbock, TX, Description of downtown Lubbock, TX grocery store, Lubbock, TX Town Square, “High end” department store area, Changes in the downtown area, Department stores moving out

Tape 1, Side 2: Changes in the Guadalupe neighborhood, 1970 Tornado destroying the Mom and Pop stores, Architecture changes after the tornado, Interaction between Guadalupe neighborhood and others, Castellano Family, Father’s work, Age span of siblings, Inter-racial relations, Guadalupe Neighborhood, Former residents returning, Family ties strong in neighborhood, Castellano Family (again), Large, close-knit family, Family businesses, Informal community gatherings in barber shops, Castellano Family (again), Family celebrations, Family gatherings, Uncles’ barber shop, Effects of depression on the barrio, Father’s comments about the depression, Border Patrol in the neighborhood, Migrant worker homes, Hispanic HUD housing, Migrant workers, Castellano, Otilo’s immediate family, Children’s ages, Wife:Pam Carmichael – Anglo, Both have college degrees, Children plan on going to college, Castellano, Jr., Otilo (again), Parents encouraging children to go to school, Education (again), Advanced college prep. Courses in high school, Castellano, Jr., Otilo J. (again), Parents’ support for college, Scholarship offers

Tape 2, Side 1: Education (again), Texas Tech was the only university Otilo was interested in attending, Advance Courses in high school (again), Classmates from high school advance courses, High school teachers, Advance courses in high school (again), Field work, Continuation of courses, Tests, Class close-knit group, Good preparation for university setting, Left Texas Tech to work full-time, Furr’s, Employee compensation, Stocking policy changes initiated by Otilo, Lubbock politics, Local politicians backgrounds, Prospective new Hispanic politicians , Small Business Administration interaction with the local political structure, Hispanic politics is more stagnant than active, Not enough Hispanic voter participation, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Ethic composition of national organizations, Castellano, Jr., Otilo J. (again), Involvement in national and state organizations, Hispanic involvement in national and state organizations, Castellano, Jr., Otilo J. (again), Interests in political activity

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1927-1999

Bulk Dates: 1960-1999

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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