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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John Francis Goulet: Memoirs of Grand Junction and Western Colorado, Part Three
In the third of nine recordings, John Goulet, a former advertising salesman with the Daily Sentinel newspaper, relates his experiences and travels in Grand Junction and Western Colorado in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He talks about traveling to Black Canyon with his friend Al Look. He remembers many of the merchants that he met as an advertising salesman. He describes Grand Junction’s Diamond Jubilee celebration of its 75th anniversary as a city. He speaks about history books written by Al Look. He talks about working for Clark Music. He remembers his friendship with Sam Gadd, a colorful, local reporter who was fond of reciting Chaucer. 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.
John Francis Goulet: Memoirs of Grand Junction and Western Colorado, Part Two
In the second of nine recordings, John Goulet, a former advertising salesman with the Daily Sentinel newspaper, relates his experiences and travels in Grand Junction and Western Colorado in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He talks about playing the piano and touring the Western Slope with the Star Lighters, an orchestra from Grand Junction. He plays the piano piece, “Back in Your Own Backyard” and speaks about arranging music for other performers. He remembers his son’s visit to Grand Junction in 1960, a hike they took to a ghost town near Ouray, and their trip to the Grand Mesa. He plays a piano piece called “The River of No Return.” He speaks about a trip with his friend Al Look to Paradox and a sculpture he made from alabaster gathered on that trip. He plays the piano piece “Rock of Ages.” He relates a trip that he took on the California Zephyr passenger train. He remembers searching for gastroliths and uranium on trips with Al Look near Cisco, Utah. 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.
Just Those Martins
A photograph of Edward Martin, owner of Martin Mortuary, with his immediate family. Pictured from left to right are Paul Martin (age 19), Rex Martin (16), Helen Martin (42), David Martin (14), and Edward Alexander Martin (47). The photograph was taken around 1949. The caption on the back of the photograph reads "Just Those Martins." The photograph was shared with Mesa County Libraries by Martin Mortuary, who consented to have the documents published as part of the Mesa County Oral History Project. The photographer, or perhaps the photographic developer, is identified as Don Wesley of the Studio and Color Laboratory at 553 Main Street in Grand Junction, Colorado.
KEXO Radio Broadcasts with Al Look
During an interview that was broadcast on KEXO radio, Al Look and Larry Leach discuss evidence of the Fremont and Basket-Maker Cultures at a dig in Paradox Valley. Bob Collins also interviews Look about finds at a dinosaur dig near Fruita, Colorado (28:53). Collins then interviews Look during a segment featuring Look as the Personality of the Week (42:17). This recording is made available via signed release by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries, the Museums of Western Colorado and the Mesa County Historical Society.
Lecture About The History Of Silverton, Colorado by Lew Parcell and Ella (Boyd) Kinterknecht
Lew Parcell talks about the history of hydro-power at Electra Lake and his work for the Western Colorado Power company, and about his ownership of the Grand Imperial Hotel in Silverton, Colorado. Ella (Boyd) Kinterknecht reminisces about the history and social life of Silverton, and about her time working in the Grand Imperial. They also discuss the old Ouray and Silverton stagecoach line and Club 20. This recording is made available via signed release by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration with Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Lecture by Airport Manager Paul Bowers: Building a new terminal at Walker Field
Paul Bowers, then the airport manager of Walker Field (now known as the Grand Junction Regional Airport), talks about new airport facilities, their anticipated effect on businesses along Horizon Drive and North Avenue, and answers questions from the North Avenue Association. 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.
Lecture by Conner Shepherd titled John Otto: Monument Maker
Conner Shepherd, Assistant Professor of Recreation at Mesa College (now Colorado Mesa University) talks about John Otto and the Colorado National Monument in a lecture titled “John Otto: Monument Maker.” The lecture was given before a meeting of the Mesa County Historical Society. Al Look also adds his insights about John Otto. This recording is made available via signed release by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries, the Museums of Western Colorado and the Mesa County Historical Society.
Lecture by Daniel "Dan" Roberts on the History and Culture of the Ute Indians
Professor Dan Roberts of Colorado Mesa University discusses the history and culture of the Ute Indians, Chief Ouray, and the removal of the Ute from Colorado by the U.S. Government during a lecture to a meeting of the Mesa County Historical Society. This recording is made available via signed release by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries, the Museums of Western Colorado and the Mesa County Historical Society.
Lecture by Donald "Don" MacKendrick: Mesa County Humanities of the Past 100 Years
In a lecture sponsored by Mesa County Libraries, Professor Don MacKendrick talks about the cultural history of the Grand Valley, framing that history in the context of the broader American settlement of the West. He reports on the rowdiness on Colorado Avenue that accompanied Grand Junction’s founding, followed by the quick establishment of social norms and cultural organizations. He describes Grand Junction’s early theaters and performance spaces, including the Opera Rink, Park Opera House, and the Majestic Theater. He describes the Avalon Theater, which opened in 1923, and its many famous performers. He details the founding of the Grand Junction Public Library (later to merge with Mesa County Public Library). He speaks at length about Academy Award winning screenwriter and Grand Junctionite Dalton Trumbo, his life, his career, and his blacklisting by the House Un-American Activities Committee. This recording is made available via signed release by the Mesa County Oral History Project,
Lecture by Golden Sanderson of the Fairview Museum of History & Arts
Golden Sanderson of the Fairview Museum of History and Art talks about the history of Fairview, Utah, Central Utah, and the surrounding area. He mentions outlaws such as Butch Cassidy and Matt Warner. He also discusses the art collection of artist Avrid T. Fairbanks, which is housed at the museum. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Lecture by Hannah Marie Wormington: The Role of the Dedicated Amateur in Archaeology
Hannah Wormington, head of the archaeology department at the Colorado Museum of Natural History and lead archaeologist at the Turner-Look Site, discusses local historian Al Look’s contributions to archaeology and the importance of amateur archaeologists. Her lecture was an installment of the Museum of Western Colorado’s First Annual Lecture Series. 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.
Lecture by Harry Augustus Talbott: History of fruit growing in the Grand Valley
In a lecture for the Mesa County Historical Society, Harry Talbott talks about the history of his family in Palisade, Colorado. He also speaks about the history of fruit growing in Palisade and Mesa County, from its inception in the late 1800’s until 1982, when his talk took place. He details the history of fruit growing cooperatives in the Grand Valley and methods of marketing and shipping produce. He discusses the Peach mosaic disease, other challenges faced by farmers, and methods of pest control. He talks about why fruit growing in the lower valley ultimately failed, why growing in Palisade succeeded, and methods of protection against frost. He discusses the competition that Grand Valley apple and peach growers face from other fruit growing regions. He speaks about the use of German prisoners of war as labor during World War II, the inability of fruit growers to convince most Americans to pick fruit since that time, and the necessity of migrant labor. This recording is provided by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.

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