Debrah Mahoney talks about the arrival of her grandfather in what would soon become Mesa County, Colorado, early in 1881. She recounts the accomplishments of her uncle John S. Gordon, who built Gordon’s Ferry over the Colorado River at the confluence in Grand Junction, Colorado in 1883, allowing passage over the river, and who also built Gordon’s Toll Road, which went from the ferry up to the sawmills of Pinon Mesa. She speaks about her father George Gordon and uncle Edwin Gordon, who worked as cowboys at ranching outfits before purchasing a ranch in Gateway. She discusses the ranching history of her father and mother, May (Foy) Gordon, who purchased the 2-V Ranch on Glade Park in 1910 and the Picture Gallery Ranch in 1916. She remembers life on Glade Park, including schools and neighbors. She speaks about her father’s role in road building on Glade Park and in bringing telephone service to the area. 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 1935 Grand Junction High School yearbook.
