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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Tales That Terrify: Ghost Stories Under the Full Moon Program by Dave Fishell
Dave Fishell tells ghost stories, with some coming from local lore, during a Museums of Western Colorado event at Cross Orchards Living History Farm in Grand Junction, 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.
Tenth Interview with Al Look
Al Look talks about his family and about his grandparents’ immigration from Germany. He speaks about life on the farm in Kansas and the important role of women as homemakers. He discusses travels in Colorado and New Mexico, encounters with Ute and Navajo people, and filing for a homestead in the Dove Creek area. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Tenth Interview with Dudley W. Mitchell
Dudley Mitchell discusses his political affiliation with the Democratic Party and his involvement campaigning for multiple Democratic nominees for the Fourth Congressional District. Dudley also discusses the fascinating political career of Wayne Aspinall and how he became the chairman of the House of Interior and Insular Affairs Committee. After talking politics, Dudley describes his experience with candy making as a young man at Miller’s Candy Factory 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.
Tenth Lecture by Al Look: His life story
In a lecture at the Museum of the West in Grand Junction, Colorado, Al Look talks about his life in Nebraska, Kansas, Durango and Grand Junction, with many details about the people he knew, the events of the time, and his experiences. 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.
The Attack on Pearl Harbor: A panel discussion with Charles Huffaker, Melvin Feller and Lawrence Azuma
World War II veterans Charles Huffaker, Melvin Feller and Lawrence Azuma talk about the history of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor in a November 1982 panel discussion of the Museums of Western 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.
The Early Years of Mesa Verde: Lecture by Gilbert Riley "Gil" Wenger
Gilbert Wenger, a longtime archaeologist with the National Park Service and at Mesa Verde National Park, speaks about the history of Mesa Verde. His lecture was the first installment of the third annual Al Look Lecture Series at the Museum of the West in 1983. 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.
The Ludlow Massacre and Colorado Coal Strikes of 1913-14: Lecture by Sylvia Ruland
In an event at the Museums of Western Colorado, Sylvia Ruland lectures about the Ludlow Massacre: the killing of striking mine workers and their families, including women and children, by the Colorado National Guard and hired strike breakers on April 20, 1914. She describes the poor working conditions for coal miners and the mistreatment of immigrants that led to a coal strike in Colorado in 1913-14. She talks about the men who owned mining interests in Ludlow and elsewhere, including John Cleveland Osgood and John D. Rockefeller. She speaks about union leaders, including Mother Jones and John Lawson. She describes the Ludlow Massacre itself, as well as public outrage and reaction to the event. 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.
The Outlaw Belle Starr: Lecture by Zelda Jeanne (Ryan) Rouillard
In a lecture at Mesa College (now Colorado Mesa University), Zelda Rouillard talks about the life of the outlaw Belle Starr and about her image in folklore, dime novels, and movies. 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 of Belle Starr
The Women of Western Colorado: A panel discussion presented by the Palisade Library
In a lecture and panel discussion at the Palisade’s Taylor Elementary School, Evelyn Kyle speaks about the history of the Mesa County Oral History Project and its invaluable role in collecting local stories. An interview panel of Evelyn Kyle, Paula Buttolph, Mary Faye Hampton, and Luella Morgan speak about their lives, the lives of women in the area, and Western Slope history. 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.
Third Interview with Al Look
Al Look discusses his days spent in the Durango, Colorado area, including his time as a homesteader near Dove Creek, his exploration of Mesa Verde’s Anasazi ruins, and his job as an advertising agent for the Durango Herald newspaper. He also talks about his knowledge of the Durango Silverton Railroad. 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.
Third Interview with Andrew E. Riddle
Andrew E. Riddle describes life in the Paradox Valley area of Montrose County, Colorado. He focuses on the violent history of the valley, and describes several murders that occurred there. In the second recording, Riddle talks about religion in Paradox, Colorado, including the building of the non-denominational Red Church in the 1940’s, which once had a shooting range in the basement. Riddle also touches on bootlegging days, burial procedures of settlers, cattle ranching, and his relationship with David Lavender, author of “One Man’s West.” 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.
Third Interview with Ann (Reese) Stokes
Ann Stokes talks about her parents' arrival in the United States and her childhood in Palisade, Colorado. She recalls her education in the Palisade School. She describes smudging to help prevent frost damage in her family’s peach orchards on East Orchard Mesa. She speaks about working in the Stokes Coal Mine with her husband, about his bouts with pneumonia, and the effects from an accident when he was hit by a bus. 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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