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 John Brach
John Brach, the son of Italian immigrants, talks about his family moving from Aguilar, Colorado to Loma so that they could work in agriculture instead of the coal mines. He speaks about relying on ditch water for drinking water, using carbide lights, and a coal stove. He remembers people who came to Loma as part of a Federal resettlement program during the Dust Bowl, including the De Kruger, Bittle and Beede families. He recalls other residents and institutions of Loma. He reminisces about working on the family farm with his brother, irrigating and working on horseback, and farming wheat and bringing it to mills in Grand Junction. He talks about traveling by horse and by rail between towns. He speaks about growing potatoes, shipping them by rail and selling them in Denver, and about the beginning of the Potato Growers Association. 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 John Groves and Olive (Mann) Groves
John and Olive Groves discuss the political history of Mesa County, and the formation of the Grand Valley Drainage District. 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 John Sylvester Long
John Sylvester Long discusses the religious life and customs in the Church of the Brethren, and the early Twentieth century history of Fruita and Loma, Colorado. 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 Joseph Elder "Joe" Williams
Joe Williams talks about his life just before being drafted into service during the Vietnam War. He addresses his doubts about the purpose of the war, his misgivings about going to Vietnam as part of the US Army’s infantry, and his general disillusionment with the war. He remembers his impressions of the Vietnamese people. He speaks about general aspects of life in the US Army during war time. He remembers being assigned to the 1st Aviation Brigade, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air, and what his tour in an Air Cav Unit was like. He talks about the portrayal of the Vietnam War in the media, the Kent State Massacre, antiwar protests in the United States, and their effect on the morale of soldiers. He recalls the widespread use of heroin, marijuana and other drugs by U.S. soldiers. He speaks about the reaction of family, friends, and civilians to his return to the United States, and about his pride in having served. He talks about his life since the Vietnam War and the lasting effects of the war on his life. 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 Joseph P. "Joe" Fox
Joe Fox talks about his early life as a cowboy after running away from home at the age of twelve, and about serving in the US Army's Second Division during World War I. He then discusses ranching in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. 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 Josephine (Schneible) Rader
Early Palisade resident Josephine (Schneible) Rader discusses her experience nursing to patients during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918. She also talks about her job as a registered nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. 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 Josephine (Taylor) Dickey and Eileen Butler
Eileen Butler, Josephine Dickey and John Dickey discuss the Handy Chapel and the history of the African-American community in Grand Junction, Colorado. 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 Julius E. Johnson Jr.
Julius Johnson talks about the history of his family in Colorado and about his friendship with both Al Look Jr. and Al Look Sr. He speaks about hiking the entire Colorado portion of the Continental Divide Trail with a friend. He also discusses his long career at Dow Chemical. 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 Karl and Nellie Linn
Karl and Nellie Linn discuss the history of their pioneer family in Plateau Valley, cattle ranching in the area, and local people. 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 Kate Elizabeth (Phillips) Wills
Kate Elizabeth (Phillips) Wills talks about her childhood living in What Cheer, Iowa, and her family’s move to Colorado in 1909. She talks about her family’s orchard, her education, the activities she took part in as a young person, and how she met her husband. She describes her career as a farm wife and homemaker working on peach orchards and cleaning homes in the Grand Valley, the history of churches in Palisade, and migrant workers that worked for her father. 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 Katherine (Schlegel) Fuoco
Katherine Fuoco describes her family’s experience as German-Russian immigrants living in Loma, Colorado and elsewhere in the American West in the 1910’s and 20’s, raising sugar beets and homesteading. She also talks briefly about her life with husband James Fuoco, an Italian immigrant and car mechanic who went onto found the Fuoco Motor Company in Grand Junction, Colorado. 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 Kermit C. "Bru" Brubaker
Kermit Brubaker talks about coming to Loma, Colorado and assuming the role of pastor at the United Presbyterian Church in 1961. He discusses life in the church and his role in helping church members remodel the church. He speaks about his long-running radio programs, “Hymn Time with the Country Parson” and “Melody in the Night.” He describes the young people of the church, their practical jokes, and his good relationship with them. 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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