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 Polly Simpson Morgan
In this interview, Polly Simpson Morgan discusses the Simpson Mine, which her family started. She discusses what Lafayette was like during her childhood. Polly was married to Richard William Morgan who worked in the coal mines and was then elected to the Colorado Legislature and then the Colorado State Senate.
Oral History with Ralph Deandra, Dugan Schofield, & Tony Largo
Ralph Deandrea, Tony Largo, and Dugan Schofield reflect on the hazards of working in the mines. They recall the daily life of working in the mines including mining equipment like picks, shovels, and oil lamps.
Oral History with Ralph Miller
Ralph Miller’s oral history interview conducted on August 17th, 1971 discussed his life growing up in Lafayette. Ralph reflected on his family history in the town, including his grandfather and grandmother, Lafayette and Mary Miller. Ralph specifically commented various aspects of the town’s creation by his grandparents and how the community has developed since then. He also spoke about his involvement with local coal mines and perceptions of the Columbine Mine Incident. Ralph also described the impact of the Great Depression on Lafayette’s economy and social climate and recalled many businesses from the early days of Lafayette. Specifically, he spoke mail originally arriving by stagecoach, developing centralized water capabilities, and railroads being built near Lafayette.
Oral History with Rena Schofield
In a series of two oral history interviews conducted on January 20th and March 15th of 1975, Rena Schofield and her family discussed their long history in Lafayette, Colorado. Rena’s independent interview includes commentary on the 1910 coal miners strike, which her husband was a part of. Rena’s husband also helped build the Baptist Church and Rena assisted in raising money to get the church running. In her interview, Rena shared many stories about raising her family and connecting with members of the Lafayette community. In their second group interview, Rena and other members of her family recall family lore such as their relation to Johnny Appleseed and when their family first arrived in Colorado. They also describe the struggles of homesteading they had heard about and how their ancestors made a living on the frontier.
Oral History with Robert Johnson
Robert begins the interview by listing all the mines in which he has worked. The interview then goes into great detail to describe the conditions in the mines and how the work was done.
Oral History with Robert Johnson and Joe Mathias
Bob Johnson and Joe Mathias both joined the Lafayette fire department on May 20, 1920. They recall their time in the fire department, how they grew the department, and how it has changed.
Oral History with Roy & Alma Roberts
Roy "Ham" and Alma Roberts discussed their life and small business in Lafayette, Colorado in their oral history interview conducted on January 13th, 1988. The pair moved to Colorado in 1931 and Ham opened his own business shortly after. Despite running during wartime and the Great Depression, their business did well. Additionally, Ham discussed being elected mayor of Lafayette in 1952, and he ultimately served intermittently as mayor and other city government positions until 1980.
Oral History with Sam Marino
Sam came to Lafayette in 1915 and worked as a coal miner. In this interview, he recalls the miner's unions, different mining strikes, and what work was like in the mines, including hazards. Sam himself wasn’t present for the Columbine Mine Massacre, but he recalls the event and the effect on the town.
Oral History with Sarah Savage Brillhart
Sarah Savage Brillhart traveled with her family from England when she was ten, arriving in Lafayette in 1893. They arrived in New York by boat then traveled by train to Colorado. Sarah’s father worked in multiple mines around Lafayette including Cannon Mine. Sarah met her husband, Percy Brillhart, in Lafayette. Sarah, who is 105 years old at the time of her interview, reflects on daily life in late 1800s and early 1900s in Lafayette and Boulder. By 1911, Sarah and her husband Percy had moved out of Lafayette and into a homestead. She describes how mining injuries kept her husband, brother, and father from serving in either of the world wars. Sarah also describes daily life when she was younger such as chores, cooking, clothing, shopping, communication, and transportation. Also present in this interview are discussions of both World Wars and the Great Depression.
Oral History with Thelma Davis
In this oral history, Thelma Davis reads a statement prepared by her late husband, Horace E. Davis, who passed away before he could record his interview. Horace Davis was born in Missouri and moved to Lafayette with his wife, Thelma, and son, George, to meet up with his father, L.M. Davis. In Lafayette, he joined his father in the grocery business. Throughout his life he renovated houses and opened nine grocery stores with his father, including three in Lafayette. Horace was the State Bank Examiner of Colorado for 16 years. He recalls what it was like to run a grocery business at this time.
Oral History with Thomas Knill
Thomas Knill spoke about his life growing up in Lafayette, Colorado in his oral history interview conducted on May 29th, 1980. Born in Lafayette in 1909, Knill went to school in the community and spoke about many individuals he grew up around, and eventually earned a degree from the Colorado School of Mines. Thomas later worked in the mines, starting in the Blue Goose Mine then the Simpson Mine. He recalls mining strikes and the violence that surrounded them. Thomas spoke about his career as an engineer and surveyor at Lowry Air Force base and various mines. He tells the story of a a bank robbery and other memorable incidents in Lafayette’s history. During WWII, he had to work harder and for longer hours. He recalls how Lafayette has changed over his lifetime, including how Simpson Street was the center of town and Public Road was the highway.
Oral History with Thomas Williams
In this oral history interview, Tom Williams discusses how his family came to Colorado and his family’s history with coal mining. Tom was born in England and came to America with his family when he was a child. His father was a coal miner and died as a young man. After the death of his father, his mother worked in the schoolhouse in Erie to make ends meet. Her mother remarried and Bob Johnson is Tom’s half-brother. Tom was also a coal miner and joined the union in 1905. He discusses the coal mines in the area and what it was like to work there. As a miner, Tom took part in the 1910 strike. Specifically, he recalls the Columbine Mine Massacre and the presence of the militia.

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