Lewis "Lou" Loveridge was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. He was born in 1923 in Jefferson, South Dakota, and moved to California in the 1930s with his family. His career on the waterfront began in 1941 when he worked extra on the docks. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he returned to work as a longshoreman, registering on the waterfront in 1948. The interview provides a detailed account of Loveridge’s experiences working at the Port of Los Angeles. Loveridge describes the nature of longshore work during his early years, emphasizing the physical demands of handling various types of cargo, such as cotton, borax, hides, and bananas, all manually loaded and unloaded without modern machinery. He discusses the evolution of the port, noting the shift from manual labor to mechanization and containerization, which transformed the industry but did not result in job losses as initially feared. Loveridge reflects on the significance of the union, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), and its role in protecting its members' rights, wages, and benefits. He speaks highly of Harry Bridges, the founder of the ILWU, whom he knew personally, describing him as a dedicated labor leader who championed the rights of the working class. The interview also touches on the 1971 strike and the challenges faced during negotiation. Throughout the interview, Loveridge shares his observations on the changes at the Port of Los Angeles, expressing admiration for the improvements made over the years, which have kept the port competitive globally. He recalls his life in Wilmington, California, as a close-knit community where everyone knew each other.