Mesa County Oral History Project

The Mesa County Oral History Project began as a joint project of the Museums of Western Colorado and Mesa County Libraries (MCL) in 1975. The Oral History Project collected tape-recorded interviews with pioneers of Mesa County and surrounding areas, and interviews with the children of pioneers. The Central Library housed the duplicate audio cassettes and provided patron access to the histories. The Museum stored the master tapes and kept files and transcripts related to the oral history collection. The Mesa County Historical Society also contributed significantly to the Oral History Project by collaborating with the library and museum to select interviewees, and by providing interviewers and other volunteers. Mesa County Libraries no longer partner with the Museum in housing duplicate copies of tapes. But the library now works with the Museum to digitize interviews from the Mesa County Oral History Project and to provide online access to the interviews through Pika, the library catalog. The Museum continues to house the original audio cassettes, interview transcripts, and other source material for the project. The Library and the Museums of Western Colorado still record oral histories with residents who have important knowledge of the area’s history. Please note that some interviews contain language that listeners or readers may consider offensive. Mesa County Libraries does not condone such language, but has included interviews in their entirety in the interest of preserving history.

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Interview with Gwendolyn (Peacock) McKee
Gwendolyn McKee talks about the history of her family in Colorado, about working with her mother in Salida hotels, and about her education at Denver’s East High School and at the then Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. She also discusses her father’s career on the railroad and the prominence of the railroad as an employer in Salida. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries, the Museums of Western Colorado and the Mesa County Historical Society.
Interview with Harold Albert Stafford
Harold Stafford talks about coming to Western Colorado during the Great Depression to join the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). He describes working on the construction of Rim Rock Drive as part of the Colorado National Monument CCC camp. He discusses the Rim Rock Drive road-building disaster, in which nine men were killed by a mistimed blast. He speaks about Rod Day, the education coordinator in the camp, and a former newspaper man who had murdered Durango Herald editor William Wood. He speaks about rock formations and landmarks of the Colorado National Monument and Glade Park, such as wooden ladders built by original Monument superintendent John Otto, Cleopatra’s Couch, and Poison Point. He talks about his experiences working as a fireman on the Uintah Railway, about working in the Thomas and Peacock Mines, and about events and landmarks around Palisade. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Harold Ionah Motz Jr. and Kenneth Lee Motz
Brothers Kenneth Motz and Harold Motz Jr. talk about the arrival of their grandfather in Palisade, Colorado in 1904, their upbringing in Palisade and Orchard Mesa, the fruit growing business, and the history of Orchard Mesa. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado. *Photograph of Kenneth Motz from 1940 Grand Junction High School yearbook
Interview with Harold James "Honk" Kissell
Harold Kissell talks about being born in a coal camp near New Castle, Colorado, his career working as a coal miner and foreman in Cameo, and his father’s career as a coal miner for the Colorado Fuel and Iron company. He tells the story of the Vulcan Mine and the mine explosions that killed many men. He recounts the superstition that women inside a mine brought bad luck. He speaks of the diverse workforce in local coal mines, including African-Americans and immigrants from Mexico, Italy, and Greece. He recalls the practical jokes miners played on each other, especially on new ones, or on miners of certain ethnicities. He remembers making meager wages during the Depression. He describes coal mining methods. He talks about the role of Mexican immigrants in coal towns as workers, musicians, barbers, cooks, and in other important jobs. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Harold LeRoy Gardner and Sharon (Obrien) Gardner
LeRoy and Sharon Gardner talk about his appointment as the pastor of the United Presbyterian Church in Loma, Colorado in 1979 and about the members of the congregation. They address the tug-of-war between the Western Slope Presbytery and local churchgoers over the church property. They recount the locals’ eventual victory and the church’s name change to the Loma Community Church in 1979. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Harold Richmond Booth
Colonel Harold R. Booth describes his experience working as the District Inspector for the Colorado-Wyoming District Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). For a time he worked for a Forestry Camp in Mesa County. This camp hosted members involved in building the road up to the Grand Mesa. He also talks briefly about his military service during three wars. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Harold V. Zimmerman
Harold Zimmerman describes packing fruit during harvest time in the Clifton area, spraying for codling moths, the end of early apple farming in the valley, the train of wagons used to haul fruit on the Midland Trail at harvest time and about a flash flood that devastated Cross Orchards and destroyed 31 Road. He also talks about his career in bookkeeping for Mesa County Valley School District 51 and other organizations, the run on local banks during the Great Depression, the growth of the Mesa County Teachers Federal Credit Union under his presidency, and about his marriage at the First Christian Church and a bit of the church's history. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado. *Photograph from 1923 Grand Junction High School yearbook.
Interview with Harry Gardner
Harry Gardner discusses his life in Mesa County as a road construction worker for 50 years, working on projects throughout the county and helping to build many roads. He also talks about his love of horse racing. This recording is made available via signed release by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Harry Knight and Nettie (Stolze) Knight
Harry and Nettie Knight discuss cowboys, ranching, and the history of their pioneering families in Mesa County. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Harry Peck
Harry Peck was the grandson of Routt County pioneers Harry B. Peck and Emma Hall. Harry and his father, Ray Peck, both worked for the United States Forest Service in the Grand Mesa National Forest, and he describes their experiences there. He also talks about helping John Otto with trail-breaking on the Grand Mesa. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado. *Currently, only Tape One of Harry Peck's interview has been digitized.
Interview with Harvey D. Smith
Harvey Smith talks about his enlistment in the U.S. Navy during World War I and goes into detail about several aspects of the war, including the use of zeppelins by Germany. He also touches briefly on his Mesa County, Colorado childhood, and the introduction of quails to the area. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries, the Museums of Western Colorado and the Mesa County Historical Society.
Interview with Hazel W. (Durham) Murphy
Hazel Murphy talks about the D.B. Store in Loma, Colorado, a general store that employed her husband and was owned by her brother. She also speaks about the history of Loma institutions, such as the Loma Presbyterian Church, Methodist Church, the Loma Community House, and the canning factory. She discusses a government resettlement program that brought in refugees from the Dust Bowl. She touches on the citizens and businesses of Loma. She discusses her degree in education and teaching at the Loma School. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.

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