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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Lecture by Silmon Laird Smith: Autobiography and early Grand Junction
In a lecture to the Grand Junction Lions Club, given just days before he died, prominent water law attorney Silmon Smith talks about his life and the history of Grand Junction (the lecture was broadcast hours later on KREX radio). He remembers his family’s arrival in the town in the 1890’s and early development in Grand Junction. He recalls a colorful Main Street filled with saloons. He speaks about his father Frank Smith’s respiratory illness, his prominence as a local doctor and fruit grower, his role as a city council member, and his job as County Coroner. He talks about the town’s early water supply from the river. He remembers bear hunting on the Grand Mesa as a teenager. He describes his father’s passion for photography and for photographing rodeo events from dangerously close. Silmon speaks about his own success as a lawyer and his law firm. He details the history of the Grand Junction Lions Club, which he helped to found. 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. *Photograph from the 1908 Colorado College yearbook
Lecture by Stephen "Steve" Johnson and Anita Johnson on Automatic Musical Instruments
Stephen and Anita Johnson lecture about several automatic musical instruments and provide demonstrations of the instruments in a program 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 and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Lecture by Tracey Russell Miller on the Dialects of Appalachia
In this program of the Museums of Western Colorado’s Folklore Series, linguistics professor Tracey Miller talks about the dialects of the Appalachian Region. 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 Zelda Jeanne (Ryan) Rouillard: Colorado Folktales
Zelda Rouillard, a professor of English at then Western State College (now Western Colorado University), lectures about the folktales and tall tales of Colorado. Many of the tales were related to her by her own students. Rouillard’s lecture was part of the February Folklife series at the Museums of Western Colorado in 1982. 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 on Mesa County, Colorado buildings and architecture by David Sundal
In a speech to the Mesa County Historical Society, David Sundal discusses the buildings, houses and architecture of Grand Junction and Mesa County, Colorado. 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 on archaeology by William "Bill" Whatley Jr.: Indiana Jones and Beyond
In a Museums of Western Colorado lecture in Grand Junction, Colorado, archaeologist William Whatley Jr. talks about methodology and evaluation used at archaeological digs, and about specific archaeological projects on Colorado’s Western Slope. 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 on the Artist Harold Bryant by Josephine Kate (Ramsay) Biggs and John Duncan Hart
John Hart talks about his friend and brother-in-law, the Mesa County artist Harold Bryant. He discusses Bryant's personality, his horseback riding, hunting and marksmanship, and his method of artistic composition. He also mentions Bucky, a deer that was supposedly neutered and tamed by the Utes, and became a companion of Bryant, among others. Josephine Biggs talks about meeting Bryant at gatherings of the Beaux Arts Club in Grand Junction in the 1920's, and describes specific artworks of Bryant's. 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 on the History of Financial Institutions in Mesa County by Patrick Arthur "Pat" Gormley
In a lecture recorded for the Mesa County Historical Society, Pat Gormley talks about the history of the banking and financial industry in Mesa County, Colorado and its towns. 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. *Photograph from the 1949 Colorado College yearbook.
Lecture on the History of Grand Junction Buildings, Businesses and People by Inez (Dillon) Prinster
Inez Prinster discusses the history of Grand Junction, Colorado buildings, businesses and people in a presentation for 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 and the Museums of Western Colorado. *Photograph from the 1947 Mesa College annual.
Lecture on the History of Water Development and Irrigation in Mesa County, Colorado by Don Mackendrick
Professor Don Mackendrick talks about the history of irrigation and the development of water resources in Mesa County, Colorado from the 1880's until the construction of the Highline Canal in 1915 (during a program of the Mesa County Historical Society in July 1980). 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 on the History of the Teller Indian School by Professor Don Mackendrick
Don Mackendrick, Professor Emeritus of history from Colorado Mesa University, talks about the history of the Teller Institute, or Indian School, of Grand Junction, Colorado during a presentation to the Plateau Valley Historical Society in Collbran, Colorado. He talks about abuses against Indian students, about the school’s philosophy and directives, and about ways in which the school was largely a failed educational venture. 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 on the History of the Uintah Railway by Joshua Paul Britton and Charles Teed
In a Mesa County Historical Society lecture, Joshua Paul Britton and Charles Teed speak about the history, development and impact of the Uintah Railway, which had its headquarters in Mack, 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.

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