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 Elmo Lewis
Across four interview dates and eight audio tapes, Elmo Lewis discusses his life and the history of Lafayette. Elmo describes the history of his family and his wife’s family coming to Lafayette. He also details the founding of Lafayette by Mary Miller. Coal and coal mining is vital to the history of Lafayette and Elmo describes how his family was involved as well as the 1910 strike and the Wobblies strike of 1927. Elmo remembers many of the businesses that were in Lafayette when he was young and he recounts these as well as the clubs he has been involved in. In 1975, Elmo’s mother died and he worked with Mrs. Amicarella to start a Lafayette Miner’s Museum using her house.
Oral History with Ethel Rodrigues
Ethel begins this oral history interview by discussing the icehouse where her mother, Elvira Erickson, worked. She also talks about her grandfather, Petey Peterson, and his orchard. Her father was a coal miner. After graduating from Lafayette High School in 1935, she went to work for Dr. Porter cleaning his office until about 1937, at which point she got a job working at the mill. Ethel started working for Jenny Noble’s restaurant in 1941 and then at the grocery store for Lee Baker for a couple years before moving on to work for Dr. Gordon in 1950 and stayed there for 29 years. She married Frank Rodrigues, who worked in the mines. Ethel also discusses the presence of the KKK, the Lafayette-Louisville rivalry, social activities, the Columbine Mine Massacre, and unions and scabs. In this second part of the interview, Ethel talks about how her grandmother came over from Sweden and worked as a maid before sending for her grandfather Erickson to come over and they lived in Leadville, CO. After her father died, the family moved to Derby, Colorado where her grandmother had a cigar store and met who would become Ethel’s grandpa Peterson. After they got married, they moved to Lafayette, CO. Ethel describes what she and her friends would do for fun. She also discusses her grandparent’s place and how they lived. Toward the end of the interview, Ethel talks about the various organizations in town like Ladies’ Aid, the Odd Follows, the Wobblies, and the volunteer firemen. The interview ends with Ethel discussing how the coal miners were paid and how many never actually saw the cash that they earned.
Oral History with Frank Mastriona
In this interview, Frank recalls his various jobs such as joining the fire department, working in the coal mines, and working as a farm hand. He describes his time playing baseball as well as life in the community. Frank also recalls several incidents such as the robbery of the bank and the Columbine Mine massacre.
Oral History with Frank Mastriona, John Lewis, and Boughton Noble
Three friends reminisce about the Lafayette, CO of their childhood and their memories of growing up together.
Oral History with Frank Miller
Frank Miller’s recording of a presentation given at Lafayette Elementary School in 1968 described the history of the town of Lafayette alongside his personal history. Frank described the town from the time of his grandparent’s settlement in 1863 to the then present-day. A major theme from these recordings are the ways in which the town changed as the population grew. Miller’s presentation sheds light on evolving economic, social, and environmental development of the area. Additionally, he speaks about improvements in transportation and infrastructure, including new telephone capacity and paving roads throughout town. Frank also shared anecdotes from his time in school and in his early career.
Oral History with Fred Milliken
In this interview, Fred describes what Lafayette was like when he first arrived in the town in 1922. He also discusses his experiences in school, the Company Store, businesses in town, the history of the schools, sports, and local organizations.
Oral History with Fred Stones April 3, 1986
Fred Stones was born in Utah and met his wife, Margie Clift, in Utah. They were married in Utah in 1931 and had their first child, Margie Jean, on May 10, 1933. They arrived in Lafayette, CO in September 1933. Fred describes what businesses and churches were in town when his family arrived. Fred then continues on to discuss his career working in the oil business from 1933 to 1950. He describes his job delivering oil and gas to the service stations and a few farmers and some of the mines in the area. Fred also describes many of the farms in the area. The interview ends with Fred talking about his time on the school board, beginning in 1947. There is no audio available for this interview.
Oral History with Glen Anspach
In this oral history, Glen Anspach describes how he came to settle in Lafayette, CO to start his jewelry business, Anspach Jewelry, in 1955. He describes what Lafayette was like and his experience running a business. Glen describes the Office of Emergency Preparedness, or the Civil Defense, which was established in the 1950s in Lafayette. He also describes the changes to the fire department, of which he was the chief in 1960. Glen and his wife had three children: Denise, Graig, and Dawn.
Oral History with Hannah Evans
In this interview, Hannah Evans recalls family life and daily life in early Lafayette, the 1910 Miner's Strike, and the large fire that occurred in the early 1900s that burnt much of early Lafayette. Hannah describes how Lafayette changed a lot in her lifetime. She speaks of businesses, growth in population, and technological innovations among other things.
Oral History with Ida Brown
Ida and her family first arrived in Lafayette, CO in 1920. In this oral history interview, she recalls her childhood in Lafayette and how society has changed throughout her life. Audio A is missing from the collection.
Oral History with Ira Redington
In this interview, Ira Redington recalls growing up with the Miller family in Lafayette, CO. He describes the various businesses, buildings, and people of the town as well as the coal mines.
Oral History with Iva Whipple
In this oral history interview, Iva begins by talking about some of the people and businesses she knew in town. She discusses her business and career as owner of a beauty shop in town for 58 years. Iva goes on to discuss farming and agriculture in the region, World War II, Sister Carmen, and what people did in town for recreation.

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