Moore Memorial Public Library has a tradition of recording oral histories from Texas City residents.
This collection contains interviews conducted from the late 1970s to the present day and features both the daily lives of Texas City residents and their experiences during major historical events. The subjects include the 1900 and 1915 hurricanes, the Great Depression, World War II, the 1947 Disaster, the Vietnam War, segregation and integration, business and industry, religious and social life, and more.
The recordings and transcripts of the interviews, as well as hand-written retrospectives, illuminate the day-to-day lives of Texas City residents and the joys of living in the city, including social clubs, church communities, family life, and friendships. Additionally, they expose the evolution of larger phenomena like racism, economic growth, and hardships, the legacy of war, and the impact of the Disaster. This collection immortalizes the words and stories of Texas citizens for generations to come and provides insight into the city's history.