Interview, Fred Lozano and Celestino Rivera

Name/Title

Interview, Fred Lozano and Celestino Rivera

Entry/Object ID

R2021.38.07

Scope and Content

Oral History Interview for Vine Avenue with Fred Lozano and Celestino Rivera In 1948, Fred’s father was recruited from Puerto Rico to work at the steel mill when Fred was two years old. Celestino’s father was recruited at the same time but didn’t send for his family until a year later and Celestino was born in Lorain in 1949. Although their upbringings were very different, the men share similar memories of the Vine Avenue hustle and bustle and blending of cultures, where everything they needed was within walking distance. Celestino says “It was just exciting…it was such a self-contained area because there was everything there” and “…I found it to be just full of life.” Then came urban renewal, which Fred says, was one of the “…worst things they ever did, as far as I’m concerned…”.

Collection

Latino Lorain History Project

Acquisition

Accession

2021.38

Source or Donor

Tober, Bethany

Acquisition Method

Collected by Staff

Credit Line

Latino Lorain History Project

Oral History Details

Interview Date

Apr 29, 2021

Oral History Notes

A full transcription is available at the Lorain Historical Society. Please contact us for research inquiries.