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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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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