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 Charles "Frank" Moore and Catherine (Saxon) Moore
Catherine and Charles “Frank” Moore discuss the history of Glade Park and Pinon Mesa, Colorado, with an emphasis on the area’s ranching history. 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.
Seventeenth Interview with Al Look
Al Look talks about the Grand Junction train depot munitions fire of June 1943, and the local and national media response. He speaks about his son Al Jr.’s career at Dow Chemical. He remembers a fire that occurred in his home, and subsequently renting a home from an owner who kept a monkey in the basement. He discusses his experiences as an original member of the Grand Junction Lions Club, the many practical jokes played by members, and the important community projects funded by the Lions. He describes the LaCourt Hotel on Main Street. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Seventh Interview with Al Look
Al Look talks about his time in the US Naval Reserves during World War I and how he became an officer. He describes ships in detail and how they were loaded, the weapons on them, and Navy traditions. He talks about his time after the Navy and how he homesteaded in Dove Creek, Colorado. Look brings up World War II and his son’s service in the Navy at that time. The interview finishes with Look talking about his childhood in Nebraska. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Seventh Interview with Craig B. Aupperle
Craig B. Aupperle discusses cattle ranching in the Grand Valley, the location of the first apple and fruit orchards in Mesa County and Parachute, Colorado, and the Grand Junction Fruit Growers Association. 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. *This recording suffers from poor sound quality.
Seventh Interview with Dudley W. Mitchell
Dudley Mitchell talks about the route of the Colorado Midland Railway, about the stations, towns and landmarks on its path, about different railroad accidents, and about the workings of the railroad. 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.
Seventh Lecture by Al Look: Geology of Western Colorado, Dinosaur Fossils, and Ancestral Pueblo Culture
Al Look speaks to the Combined Women's Club of Grand Junction, Colorado about the geology of Western Colorado, dinosaur fossils found in the area, and about archaeological evidence of the ancestral Pueblo culture. 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.
Sixteenth Interview with Al Look
Al Look talks about his involvement with the International Newspaper Advertising and Marketing Executives, about his On Guard column in the Daily Sentinel, about taking the first aerial photographs of the Grand Mesa, and about the history of the Avalon Theater. He also discusses getting lost while hunting agates, the Lincoln Park Zoo, John Otto’s construction of trails on the Grand Mesa, and other aspects of Mesa County history. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Sixth Interview with Al Look
Al Look describes the Hopi snake dance, and the preparation, rights and ceremonies surrounding it. An unnamed Hopi elder discusses Hopi history, religion and prophecy (29:52). 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.
Sixth Interview with Al Look
Al Look discusses his career as an advertising agent and columnist for the Grand Junction Daily News and The Daily Sentinel newspapers. He also talks about the Sentinel's history and employees. 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.
Sixth Interview with Charles "Frank" Moore
Charles "Frank" Moore discusses tensions between cattle and sheep ranchers before and after the passage of the Taylor Grazing Act, land management, and his career in the U.S. Grazing Service as the Regional Grazier for the area covering Eastern Utah and Western Colorado. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Sixth Interview with Craig B. Aupperle
Craig Aupperle describes his colorful boyhood in Grand Junction, including childhood games like Duck On a Rock, vaudeville acts, and daring escapades with his brother Harold. 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.
Sixth Interview with Dudley W. Mitchell
Dudley Mitchell discusses politicians involved in the early days of the railroad, the development of railroad labor laws, railroad wages, and the Ku Klux Klan in Grand Junction and Colorado. 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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