Interviewer
Jean Hocking and Sarah John
Project
Sunset Heights Project
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Mrs. Ratner is a native El Pasoan, descendant of a pioneer family; her father was of Jewish and Christian background; has lived in El Paso most of her life. Mr. Ratner is a businessman in El Paso.
Summary of Interview
Biography; early businesses in El Paso; families who lived on Hawthorne Street in Sunset Heights; Mrs. Ratner's background; early El Paso families; school experiences; General Escobar; refugee families who moved into the Sunset Heights area during the Mexican Revolution; Anglo/Mexican relations; the word "Chicano"; Golden Years and decline of Sunset Heights; El Paso during World War II and going to Juarez to purchase rationed items; gambling and prostitution; development of El Paso's Jewish community; Italian POW camp in El Paso at Washington Park; other comments on the history of El Paso.
Date of Interview
3-16-1977
Length of Interview
2 hours
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 310
Transcript Number
No. 310
Length of Transcript
55 pages
Transcriber
Jean Hocking
Interview Number
No. 310
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Mr. Al Ratner and Mrs. Al Ratner by Jean Hocking and Sarah John, 1977, "Interview no. 310," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.