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 Mary Massaro
Mary Massaro’s oral history interview conducted on October 6th, 1988 described her life and career in Lafayette, Colorado. Born to an Italian-American family in 1907, Mary discussed moving to Lafayette in 1929 and raising three daughters in the area. Mary reflected on the impact of the Great Depression on her own family and the greater Lafayette community. The Massaro family’s life changed when Mary’s husband, Joe, caught his foot in a mining machine and lost his leg in 1942. Defying traditional Italian family values that mandated that wives and mothers abstain from paid work outside the home, Mary started working in a factory, and later as a cook for Lafayette Elementary School where she remained from 1952-1970. She expressed that she was grateful for PERA from Boulder Valley School District which paid her a disability pension. Mary maintained Italian culture through her cooking of pizzelles, and making homemade sausage and pasta, and other Italian dishes. She was also a very observant and devout Catholic, and the church remained her main connection to the local community. She lived in the same house for fifty-nine years. Overall, Mary projected a very positive view of her life in Lafayette, which was family centered, especially with her three daughters living nearby in the city.
Oral History with Maude Schofield August 31, 1989
In this oral history interview, Maude describes how her family came to Denver, CO from England to reunite with her maternal grandfather. This grandfather was superintendent of a mine and found a job for her father at the Leyden mine. Maude married George “Kelly” Frederick Schofield on March 3, 1918 and they had one daughter, Lois Marie. George managed the Bill Bale’s Creamery for a time and then worked for Schofield Farms Company with his brothers and dad. Maude describes Lafayette when her family first arrived, the businesses in town, and the school. She also describes her household chores once she was married and how she completed them as well as how people dressed. The interview concludes with Maude talking about their work on the farm.
Oral History with Maude Schofield February 24th, 1975
Maude Schofield discussed her family and social life growing up in Lafayette, Colorado in her oral history interview conducted on February 24th, 1975. Born in England, Maude moved to Lafayette with her family when she was nine. Her father was a local miner and she recalled what it was like to be his daughter and hear his stories from the mine. She reflected on her childhood with household chores, playing with friends, going to see movies, and attending school. She spoke to the changes over time as the town has grown and expanded, and commented how she grew up knowing everyone as it was such a small town. Once married, Maude lived on a ranch outside of town. To socialize, as Maude was not employed, she was active in her church and various clubs in Lafayette.
Oral History with Merwin and Lucille Harrison
Merwin and Lucille are high school sweet hearts who met in 1928. They discuss their early years living in the area. The pair recall what it was like growing up in the area. Merwin and Lucille also discuss the technology of their youth including: crystal radio sets, open air cockpits on airplanes, serial radio programs, and steam trains. Merwin was a rural mail carrier. He spent time working at the Ordinance Plant during WWII before enlisting and doing his active duty in Hawaii. Lucille spent time on the library board in the 1960s and they discuss how the library may have been founded as well as its various locations. They discuss various disasters over the years including: a fire of an entire street block that burned an abandoned school and an antique store (the former bank building), a large flood, bank robberies, and a movie theater that burned in the 1950s.
Oral History with Miranda Hurt
Miranda Hurt came to Lafayette, CO in 1924 to be a teacher. She describes Lafayette at the time as being filled with many empty houses as people had moved away to find work. She recalls the Columbine Mine Massacre and how the town reacted. She speaks of life in and outside of the classroom. Audio is missing.
Oral History with Polly Simpson Morgan
In this interview, Polly Simpson Morgan discusses the Simpson Mine, which her family started. She discusses what Lafayette, CO 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 Deandrea, 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.

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