Lafayette Archival Oral History Collection 1968-2001

In the mid-1970s, Effie Amicarella and Carolyn Connaroe obtained a grant from the Colorado State Library to begin a series of taped oral history interviews to record and preserve early resident's recollections of the history of Lafayette. This collection features these oral histories and many more, altogether spanning from 1968-2001. These interviews highlight Lafayette’s mining history, agrarian history, history of commerce and more. Included here are digital copies of cassette recordings and transcripts that are physically located in Lafayette Public Library's archives.

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Oral History with Charles and Anna Porta
In this joint interview with Charles and Anna Porta, they discuss Lafayette, CO when they first arrived as a married couple in the 1930s. Charles began working in the coal mines at age 15.5 and worked for 30 years as a coal miner. He discusses what it was like working in the mines as well as the health ramifications.
Oral History with Clancy Waneka
Clancy Waneka’s oral history interview conducted on February 10th, 1986, discussed his extensive life and career in the Lafayette, Colorado area. Clancy’s parents, Clarence “Gus” and Gladys Waneka, descended from a family of farmers who originally migrated to the area in the 1860s. Clancy’s interview provides many details about education in the 1920s, including games, sports, and recreation for both children and adults. Additionally, Clancy also describes his time at Colorado State University studying biology and his career in the agricultural industry.
Oral History with Claude and Lawrence Amicarella
In this oral history interview, brothers Claude and Lawrence Amicarella discuss working in the Columbine Mine and the Columbine Mine Massacre. They also discuss what it was like growing up in the area.
Oral History with Clifford and Hazel Alderson
In this interview, Cliff reflects on his early life in Lafayette including the coal miners' strike of 1917. He also recalls many of the businesses in Lafayette at that time. Cliff describes how he has served the city of Lafayette including his time serving three terms on the Lafayette City Council, creating the first city swimming pool, serving as president of the Lafayette Lions Club and serving as the 2nd president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Oral History with Columbine Mine Program
This recording captures a meeting with Columbine Mine Program, recorded at the Lafayette Public Library on November 19th, 1987. There are multiple speakers on the tape, including Carl Williams, Sender Garland, Tom Lopez, Donna Carbone, Chuck Waneka, Gary Cox, Winston Morgan, Andy Deborski, Frank Deborski, Cotton Fletcher, Annette Iatesta, Jimmy Graham, Carl Williams, Paul Roads, Jack Davies, and Elmo Lewis. This conversation captured many facets of the history of the Columbine Mine, including mining conditions, treatment of workers, and mining strikes, specifically the 1927 Colorado Coal Strike. Much of the meeting analyzes the media coverage of mining through the 1920s to the 1950s. Additionally, there was some part of the conversation about the life and treatment of the mules. Finally, the meeting concludes with the participants evaluating the utility of coal in the greater region of Lafayette. This object also contains an additional audio file and transcript from a meeting recalling the "Columbine Mine Incident", with is undated and without speaker names, but still gives a valuable perspective on the series of events that led to the conflict.
Oral History with Dorothy Estaneous
In this oral history, Dorothy describes the Columbine Mine Massacre that took place on November 21, 1927. Her father was the first striking miner to be killed during the massacre.
Oral History with Earl and Verda Morton
In this interview, Earl and Verda describe what Lafayette was like growing up in the 1920s. They discuss major events in the community like the bank robbery. They also discuss rationing during the war, running the A&W Drive-In, working in the coal mines, and the physicians in town.
Oral History with Effie Amicarella June 24, 1999
In this oral history interview with Effie Amicarella, she describes the beginnings of the Lafayette Library, to which she was instrumental. She also talks about her 20 year career as a Medical Technician. Effie goes on to discuss some of the churches in the area as well as the area’s coal mining history and the Columbine Mine Massacre.
Oral History with Effie Amicarella May 31, 2001
In this interview, Effie Amicarella recalls west Lafayette homes and homeowners in the 1950s. She discusses some of the well-known residents of west Lafayette, specifically Geneseo street.
Oral History with Effie Amicarella November 19, 1987
In this interview obtained on November 19, 1897, Effie Amicarella describes the Lafayette of the past including how the city was run, coal mining, strikes, the role of women, social life, businesses in town, and agriculture. There is no audio available for this interview.
Oral History with Elmer E. and Emily Bell Moon
In this interview, Elmer discusses his early childhood and has a lengthy discussion about how his family came to reside in Lafayette, CO, where Elmer was then born. He worked in the mines for about 15 years and then after the war he went to work as a pipe layer. Elmer talks about the strike, the aftermath, and how difficult it was for the city to recover.

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