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Janielle Westermire talks about growing up in Grand Junction, Colorado, where her father ministered at the Handy Chapel. She speaks about feeling she lived in a safe, close knit community, but also about racism she experienced as a child. She describes the inspiring life of her father, Harry Butler, who worked in hydrology with the Bureau of Reclamation before becoming the first African-American school board member in Mesa County and the first African-American...

Frank Jonick describes his experiences as a railroad detective and special agent for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. He also details the Grand Junction train depot fire (involving munitions) that occurred during World War II. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries, the Museums of Western Colorado and the Mesa County Historical Society.

Anna Cunningham describes her family’s journey out West from Connecticut, and their pioneer life living on a homestead near Meeker. She also talks about her life living in Mesa County. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries, the Museums of Western Colorado and the Mesa County Historical Society.

Ted Albers, Bob Hall, Lowell Heiny and James “Jim” Kyle discuss the early history of Grand Junction and Mesa County, Ute Indians, and the formation of the Mesa County Historical Society at the September 22, 1975 meeting of the Society. This recording is provided by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries, the Museums of Western Colorado, and the Mesa County Historical Society.

Craig Aupperle discusses his knowledge of John Otto, his associations with Utes who passed through the Grand Valley in the early Twentieth century, and his life in trade and manual labor. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.

Dudley Mitchell discusses politicians involved in the early days of the railroad, the development of railroad labor laws, railroad wages, and the Ku Klux Klan in Grand Junction and Colorado. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries, the Museums of Western Colorado and the Mesa County Historical Society.

Rex Howell, founder of Grand Junction’s first radio and television stations, speaks to the Grand Junction Lions Club at a gathering in which the past presidents of the club are present. Howell talks about the history of the Grand Junction Lions, and about the ethics of volunteer service and broadcasting. During the first half of the recording, Al Look presides over a meeting of the club. This recording is made available via signed release by the...

Mary Corcoran talks about her parents and grandparents, pioneers in Mesa County and Eastern Utah. She also talks about her early life in Grand Junction, Colorado, and about ranch life above De Beque on the Grand Mesa. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries, the Museums of Western Colorado and the Mesa County Historical Society.

Early settler Gladys Carnahan describes her life growing up in Grand Junction, Colorado, including horse and buggy excursions with her father, school and social activities with friends, and attending the Mesa County Fair. She talks about her early involvement in the First United Methodist Church. She also discusses becoming ill during the Spanish Flu pandemic, furnishings in her family’s home, and being forced to support her family on a teacher’s...

Thelma Moore talks about her youth on a fruit farm in Pear Park, life in early Grand Junction, her involvement in 4-H clubs, the Locust Ranch fruit growing operation in Clifton, and the other members of the Kettle family to settle in that area. She discusses her career as a seamstress and work making drapes, county extension work with quilters, craft competitions at the Mesa County Fair, and chautauquas and variety shows. She also goes into her life...