William Ela talks about his family’s arrival in the Little Dolores River area of Mesa County in 1881 and their establishment of the 2-V Ranch. He tells stories about his grandfather, the pioneer rancher and Grand Junction town mayor William Phillips Ela. He remembers his grandfather’s horse Looney and his escapades. He speaks about the dangers of travel to and from Glade Park in the early days. He recalls stories passed down about his ancestors’ encounters with Ute Indians on Pinon Mesa. He and interviewer Al Look talk about the many Ute and Native American artifacts and sites on Pinon Mesa. He remembers his mother Lucy (Ferril) Ela and her longtime involvement on the Grand Junction School Board. He speaks about growing up at 1006 Main Street in Grand Junction and about playing baseball and other games in the many vacant lots. He remembers school life and spending time in the YMCA building. He recalls youth camping trips and excursions he took to the Four Corners area with a man named Rudy Albrecht, who ran the YMCA camp on the Grand Mesa. He recounts the escape of Betty the monkey from the Lincoln Park Zoo, and her capture by Ela and his two close friends. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
