Oral Histories

Interview of James R. Deason

Subtitle:
Recollections of J. R. Deason
Topic:
Community History
Interviewer:
Dixon, Elizabeth I.
Interviewee:
Deason, James R.
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Interviewee Retained Copyright
Abstract:
Move to California, 1919; early interest in automobiles; work as foreman of garage and machine shop; employment with Automobile Club of Southern California beginning 1926; work with club's emergency patrol; changed character of Los Angeles area roads; Rindge ranch and Topanga Canyon; role of emergency patrol in aiding motorists; Gay's Lion Farm; dealing with natural disasters; loss of life in San Francisquito flood, 1928; Long Beach earthquake, 1932; devastation in Compton; tidal wave expected in Belmont Shores; flood of February 1937 isolating communities throughout Southern California; Bakersfield and Tehachapi quakes; wildflowers around Bakersfield; changes in highway conditions; difficulties of travel and road service on Ridge Route; problems caused by sightseers; Malibu fire and fire fighting; meeting Will Rogers and Leo Carrillo; early airplanes; travel in Mexico, 1930.