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- Oral Histories
Interview with Charles R. Schroeder, 1983
In this interview, Doctor Schroeder discusses the following topics: where he was born and grew up in Brooklyn; how he got interested in veterinary medicine; first impressions and early memories of working at the Zoo; descriptions of his duties as a veterinarian and pathologist, research problems; zoo structures built in his earliest years; memorable animals and encounters; the relationship between the Zoo and the city of San Diego in the 1930s; fond recollections of founder Harry Wegeforth; many incidental anecdotes about people who worked at the Zoo; how Schroeder conceived of the Wild Animal Park and how they raised the funds for its construction; Chuck Faust and his role as the architect of the Wild Animal Park; the team effort involved with the Wild Animal Park; the earliest animals to arrive at the park; success in breeding; and Schroeder's future hopes and plans for the Zoo's next 25 years.
The interviewer is Director of the Center for Regional History at San Diego State University. These two interviews are part of a collaborative project between the Zoological Society of San Diego and the Center. They were conducted at the Wild Animal Park (from 2010 the San Diego Zoo Safari Park).
The first interview, conducted July 17, 1983, was videotaped and can be seen at SCHROEDER1-1 and SCHROEDER1-2-3, with a transcript at SCHROEDERTRANS. This sound file covers both interviews, starting with the videotaped July interview, which was transcribed; whereas from hour 2 at about 5 minutes, the interview conducted on October 7, 1983 begins, and is not transcribed.
- Oral Histories
- San Diego State University Library and Information Access, Special Collections and University Archives