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Portrait of Fidel Tafolla

The original handwritten manuscript was written in Spanish by the Reverend Santiago Tafolla at the age of 71. Tafolla was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico under Mexican rule; traveled widely in the US; and served in the Texas Indian Wars and the Confederate Army during the Civil War. The memoir offers a rare look at 19th century Texas from the Tejano perspective and is the only known memoir of a Mexican American who served in the Civil War. Tafolla's great-granddaughters Carmen and Laura Tafolla transcribed, translated, and edited the memoir, which was ultimately published as A Life Crossing Borders: Memoir of a Mexican-American Civil War Soldier, by Arté Público Press in 2009.

Edwin Fauver reflects on the changes he has seen on campus since he first came to the university. He talks about the challenges that have accompanied the campus's expansion and offers some information on campus buildings like the Music Building, Jowers Center, Evans Field, and the Psychology Building. He also recalls some of San Marcos's floods.

Richard Henderson talks about coming to SWTSC after serving in the Army Air Corps in WWII. He describes what campus looked like the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, detailing aspects such as university and veterans housing, the effects of the GI Bill, segregation and integration, the realities of teaching political science during McCarthyism , and the growing radicalism of the student body, illustrated by the San Marcos Ten. He also reflects on writing his book on Maury Maverick and campus figures such as Dr. James Taylor, Dr. Cecil Hahn, Prof. Green, Retta Murphy, Leland Burgum. He also discusses changes the university has undergone, with specific mention of campus buildings and layout.

William "Henry" E. Norris talks about his experiences at Texas State as both a student in the 1930s and a faculty member. He also discusses his experiences in the Navy during WWII, his own botany research, and how San Marcos has changed. He specifically mentions Sewell Park, Spring Lake, flooding, campus housing, the demonstration school, and past and current campus buildings.

From 1999-2001, NASA partnered with History students at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State) to conduct interviews with former employees who lived in the Central Texas area. Interviewees include managers, engineers, technicians, doctors, astronauts, and other employees of NASA and aerospace contractors who served in key roles during the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and Shuttle programs.

From 1999-2001, NASA partnered with History students at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State) to conduct interviews with former employees who lived in the Central Texas area. Interviewees include managers, engineers, technicians, doctors, astronauts, and other employees of NASA and aerospace contractors who served in key roles during the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and Shuttle programs.

From 1999-2001, NASA partnered with History students at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State) to conduct interviews with former employees who lived in the Central Texas area. Interviewees include managers, engineers, technicians, doctors, astronauts, and other employees of NASA and aerospace contractors who served in key roles during the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and Shuttle programs.

Cover story on Big John Oaks (Big JohnÕs HanginÕ Tree Saloon)