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 Helen W. (Ross) Wilson
Helen Wilson talks about the life of her father, Robert “Bob” Ross, co-founder of the Ross Business College, important educator in Fruitvale, Colorado, and an early settler of that 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. *Photograph from 1936 Grand Junction High School yearbook.
Interview with Helen and Clarence Swanson
Helen and Clarence Swanson discuss the history of their families in early Fruita, and Fruita buildings and organizations. 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 Henry Spomer
Mesa County, Colorado resident Henry Spomer describes growing up in a German settlement in Russia, including home life, farm practices, schooling, and the Lutheran Church. He talks about moving to Nebraska in his teenage years to escape looming military placement during the Russian Revolution, and eventually moving to Mesa County, where he worked as a beet farmer, railroad employee, and janitor for the Lowell School. 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 Herbert "Herb" Johnston
Herb Johnston discusses sheep and cattle ranching in the Cisco, Utah area in the early Twentieth century. He also gives an in-depth portrait of African-American cowboy Charlie Glass, whom Mr. Johnston counted as a friend. 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 Hilda Ann (Walther) Cary
Hilda Cary remembers moving with her husband Joseph Cary to Loma in 1951 and their life in the dairy farm business. She talks about the Presbyterian and Methodist churches of Loma. She speaks about teaching at the Loma School. She recalls other aspects of farm life and fishing trips to 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.
Interview with Homer James "Jim" Colman
Jim Colman talks about his childhood in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Grand Junction, and Salt Lake City. He describes taking officer’s training courses through correspondence school before receiving a commission as a reserve infantry lieutenant in 1937. He speaks about becoming a communications officer and headquarters company commander with the 57th Infantry in the Philippines in 1941. He describes the horses and mules used by officers in his unit, and having to slaughter and eat the horses after running out of food during a prolonged battle with Japanese forces in Bataan. He discusses the Japanese invasion of the Philippines and the Japanese campaign to control Southeast Asia. He compares American and Japanese munitions and airplanes. He talks about the Battle of Bataan and the surrender of US and Philippine forces. In detail, he describes living as a prisoner of war in prison camps at Camp O’Donnell, Davao, and Cabanatuan, the many men who died from starvation and disease, and being rescued by the 6th Army Rangers, Alamo Scouts, and Filipino guerrillas. He describes the Bataan Death March of which he was a part. He speaks about unmarked Japanese ships that transported prisoners of war. He discusses reunions and meetings he attended of the Alamo Scouts and the Ex-Prisoners of War of America. 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 the 1933 West High School yearbook, Salt Lake City
Interview with Howard Hafey
Howard Hafey talks about his career as a locomotive engineer, including descriptions of steam engines, railroad flags and signs, and a discussion of bridge building. He also talks about his early life going to school in Grand Junction, Colorado and working in a pool hall. 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 Hubert R. Gallagher
Hubert R. Gallagher discusses his father’s career on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, early 20th Century life in Grand Junction, and his own career in the Federal Government. 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 Ica M. (Cox) Click
Ica Click talks about life on a homestead in the Kannah Creek area of Mesa County, Colorado in the early Twentieth century. She discusses going to the Purdy Mesa School, social activities, the people of Kannah Creek and Whitewater, homemaking, caring for animals, and home remedies. 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 Ida (Hempler) Jaenicke and James Emil "Jim" Jaenicke
James and Ida Jaenicke talk about moving to Loma, Colorado in 1937 as part of the US Farm Security Administration’s resettlement program for Dust Bowl refugees. They speak about aspects of farm life in Loma, such as relying on ditch water for drinking water. They remember running a dairy farm with 30 cows and 125 chickens. They recall people and stores in Fruita, where they shopped. James talks about his life in the congregation of the United Presbyterian Church, while Ida talks about being a member of the Lutheran Church. They speak about their involvements in the Jolly 16 club, the Bean Growers, Potato Growers, and other organizations. 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 Ida Leota (Underwood) Clark
Ida Clark talks about the arrival of her parents in Battlement Mesa, Colorado in 1902, their farming life, and her early childhood memories. She reminisces about the Battlement Mesa School and its importance as an educational and community institution. She speaks about Grand Valley High School and the town of Grand Valley (now Parachute). She recalls attending the Ross Business School in Grand Junction and her subsequent career as a secretary for the Biggs-Kurtz Lumber Company for thirty-two years. She remembers moving to the Redlands in 1933 and describes the area that she and her husband lived. She discusses a train trip she took to Wyoming, the condition of roads in Mesa County, home remedies, and more history of Battlement Mesa and Grand Valley. 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 Ida May (Johnson) Smith
Ida Smith, the daughter of Swedish immigrants, discusses her life as a child on a homestead in Whitewater, Colorado in the early Twentieth century. 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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