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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Second Interview with David Sundal
David Sundal discusses in great detail the life of famous author Dalton Trumbo of Grand Junction, Colorado, based in large part on Sundal’s conversations with the author. Sundal describes the local community’s relationships with Trumbo, reactions to Trumbo’s book Eclipse, portrayals of prominent businessman William Moyer and Daily Sentinel editor Walter Walker in the book, and Trumbo’s life and career after leaving Mesa County. He talks about Trumbo’s play The Biggest Thief in Town, and the possible lampooning of Martin Mortuary in the play. He speaks about Trumbo’s leftist politics, his testimony before the US House Un-American Activities Committee, his time in prison, and his time as a blacklisted writer in Hollywood. Sundal also shares information about successful individuals who grew up in or passed through Mesa County during Trumbo’s youth. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Second Interview with Dorothy (Raber) Beard
Dorothy Beard discusses her career as a pharmacist (following the family trade), and talks about sheep ranching with her husband. 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 the 1932 University of Colorado yearbook
Second Interview with Dorsey "Sonny" G. Son
Dorsey G. Son discusses his career as a surveyor for the Colorado State Highway Commission operating in Southwestern Colorado. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Second Interview with Dr. Everett H. Munro
Early Grand Junction surgeon Dr. Everett H. Munro describes his memories and experiences with early Mesa County doctors, and with members of the Mesa County Medical Society.
Second Interview with Dudley W. Mitchell
Dudley W. Mitchell discusses his family history, early Colorado mining days, and his various jobs working for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad over fifty years. 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.
Second Interview with Earl Keen Laycock
Earl Laycock talks about working in the Laycock Motor Company in Delta and Grand Junction, Colorado from 1918 to 1970. He remembers the Great Depression, bank failures, World War II, and the effect on automobile sales. He recalls the various makes and models of cars that Laycock Motors sold over the years. He talks about his birth in a log cabin in Ohio, on the Kentucky border, in 1895. He remembers his family and other tobacco farmers that organized an association, struck, refused to grow more tobacco plants, and who actively destroyed the crops of non-strikers in order to combat the monopolistic practices of large growers (presumably an extension of the Black Patch Tobacco Wars, 1904-1909). He remembers going to high school in Texas and working as a cow hand before joining his brother Austin Laycock in the automobile business in Delta, Colorado. He speaks about his achievements in auto sales, about repossessing cars, the popularity of cars in the 1950’s, and auto loan financing. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Second Interview with Eda May (Baker) Musser
Eda Musser talks about her wedding day and honeymoon with Kelso Musser, and about evidence of Ute Indian habitation that was still present in Escalante Canyon in 1910. She also discusses travel through the canyon, its inhabitants, ranching practices in the canyon, and the fire that destroyed the Musser’s ranch house. 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.
Second Interview with Edwin "Ted" Winterburn
Edwin “Ted” Winterburn talks about the many Grand Junction, Colorado buildings built by his father, Samuel E. Winterburn, including the Majestic Theater (now the Mesa Theater). He discusses growing up in Grand Junction and working as an electrician and car mechanic. He speaks about moving around the country a great deal and working various electrician jobs at the start of World War ll, then returning to the Grand Valley area to retire in the 1970’s. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Second Interview with Ella (Foster) O'Brien and Earl Eugene Foster
Siblings Ella O'Brien and Earl Foster talk about the demise of their family friend Henry "Indian Henry" Huff at the hands of their stepfather, and the events that followed. They discuss their living situation in Bull Canyon, mentioning the work their parents did for the mine, their chores, education, livestock, and farming. They speak of their move to Utah and their experiences there, including meeting Chipeta. They transition to talking about their marriages and families, continued education, careers, properties, and the events that led them to 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.
Second Interview with Emma (Berg) Nagel
Emma Nagel, whose family came to the Highpoint area north of Fruita in 1894, talks about agricultural life on her family’s homestead, about badgers, wolves, and wildlife they encountered, and about the Highpoint community’s Christmas celebrations. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Second Interview with Forrest M. Carhartt
Forrest M. Carhartt describes his deployment to the Mexican border with the Utah National Guard after Pancho Villa’s raids, his military training, and service during World War I. He discusses his education at the University of Denver. He also talks about his membership in the Last Squad, an American Legion-affiliated group of World War I veterans. 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 1922 University of Denver yearbook
Second Interview with Frank Benjamin Wright
Frank Wright talks about his career as a coal boy, firemen, and engineer for the railroad. He also discusses the history of narrow gauge and standard lines in Western Colorado, a railroad strike in which his father was involved, and dealing with snow slides along the tracks. 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.

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