Oral History Project

By: Karina Mendez, Amanda Trevino and Albert Gonzalez

Mr. Mendiola4th B GeographyMarch 22, 2009

•We decided to interview Imelda Mendez for this interview project. We are inserted in knowing about Laredo history particularly when she was in high school.

Introduction

How big was Laredo when you were in high school ?

• Laredo was not as big as it is right now Laredo would end up in Delmar in the north side and to the south it would end up in el Santo Nino. Now Laredo is Larger and has grown extensively.

Was there an Air Port?

• Yes there was an air port in Laredo which was located in a military air force base and the terminal was very little now the terminal is a very larger and modern. The terminal has a variety of planes compared to back then.

Was there a Collage?

• There was only a Laredo Jr. collage and a small university that only offered a two years of collage and classes offering was very limited. Now we have another collage building so many people could attend collage and get more opportunities.

How was the economy back then?

• The local economy was very depressed and a abundance of families had to migrate often because of it.

Were the streets paved?

• Mostly all the streets were street paved and the streets were made of dirt. The Streets have change extremely over the years. Now there's more streets and more traffic because of it. Laredo its growing bigger and bigger each year.

How was the high school you went to ?

• It was an opened campus • They had chalk boards• They had bon fires it was fun because they would

sit around with friends.• There was less Kid attending school• They would get discipline more• They had lockers• They would carry books around• They had old buildings

What was the fashion back then?

Women Men• Mohawks • Teased • Long • Curly • Punk • Piercings • Leather or Jean Jackets • Chains

• Feathered Hair • Stick-up bangs • Ponytails to the side• Teased • Tons of Makeup • Off-Shoulder Shirts • Colored Hose With Rips • Beads

What did Laredo have for fun Back then?

• She Said” I would go to the movies, carnival, River drive mall and Mall Del Norte for fun with my friends. The had very limited things to do for fun.

How has the generations changed over the years since your time?

• Technology has helped a lot with education. Back then typewriters were used and now computers. Life is so advanced and everything's much easier with technology. It is now used all over the world today.

How many hospitals were there?

• There were two hospitals Mercy hospital and Doctors Hospital. Now they are new buildings at new locations. Mercy hospital is now called Laredo Medical Center. The old Mercy hospital remains standing.

How were houses and buildings build?

• House and buildings were made out of wood mostly.

• They were not build with good material.• They made by hand mostly and not by

machines.• They were not on fertile ground.

How was the media back then?

• The media was very different. The televisions were black and white and they were very large and fuzzy they also had antennas. The Cameras were not digital they were huge as well and they had no color.

How has the landscape changed?

• The landscape hasn’t change a whole lot. There are still many areas of grass land but since there's a lot of buildings being build less and less areas are being removed that's how Laredo has been growing.

How has Laredo change your life?

• Laredo has changed my life in many ways. Like the prices for mostly everything now a days are more expensive, and my children have a better education