Mesa County Oral History Project

The Mesa County Oral History Project began as a joint project of the Museums of Western Colorado and Mesa County Libraries (MCL) in 1975. The Oral History Project collected tape-recorded interviews with pioneers of Mesa County and surrounding areas, and interviews with the children of pioneers. The Central Library housed the duplicate audio cassettes and provided patron access to the histories. The Museum stored the master tapes and kept files and transcripts related to the oral history collection. The Mesa County Historical Society also contributed significantly to the Oral History Project by collaborating with the library and museum to select interviewees, and by providing interviewers and other volunteers. Mesa County Libraries no longer partner with the Museum in housing duplicate copies of tapes. But the library now works with the Museum to digitize interviews from the Mesa County Oral History Project and to provide online access to the interviews through Pika, the library catalog. The Museum continues to house the original audio cassettes, interview transcripts, and other source material for the project. The Library and the Museums of Western Colorado still record oral histories with residents who have important knowledge of the area’s history. Please note that some interviews contain language that listeners or readers may consider offensive. Mesa County Libraries does not condone such language, but has included interviews in their entirety in the interest of preserving history.

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Interview with Olive Jean (Mann) Groves
Olive Jean (Mann) Gordon discusses the early buildings, businesses and people of Grand Junction, Colorado. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Orlin Corn and Esther Eiler
Orlin Corn and his sisters Esther, Betty, Edith, and Lelia discuss the murder of rancher Charles Sieber, early 20th Century ranching in Mesa County, and school life in Appleton. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Orpha Shugar Hall
This interview examines the life of Orpha Shugar Hall, an early resident of Unaweep Canyon, Whitewater and Grand Junction. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Orville and Helen Altenbern
Orville and Helen Altenbern discuss their early lives in both De Beque and the nearby Roan Creek area of Garfield County. They also talk about life and work on a sheep and cattle ranch. 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.
Interview with Patrick Metoyer
Patrick Metoyer talks about negotiating with the Veterans Administration Hospital on his father's behalf and how this led to his cofounding of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Veterans Network, to his broader work as a veterans' mental health activist in Mesa County and nationally, and to his father's eventual turnaround. He also reads some of his poetry, discusses his beginnings as an artist and a poet, and goes into his participation in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Paul Scott Ferris
Paul Scott Ferris talks about his experiences as a member of the US Air Force during the Vietnam War, beginning in 1969. He describes his growing doubt about the war while deployed as a pilot, and his ultimate opposition to the war. He speaks about attending graduate school as a veteran, the help he received from a student veteran’s organization, his companionship with veterans, and his relationship with other students. He discusses his interest in Buddhism, in revisiting Thailand and Vietnam, and in the Vietnamese language. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Paul and Wanda Breckler
Paul and Wanda Breckler talk about the annual tours of Colorado that they conducted for teachers for many years during the 1970’s and 80’s. They speak in depth about their tour of the Colorado National Monument and working with local historian Al Look. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Pearl (Hopple) Redmon
Pearl Redmon, a longtime postal clerk in De Beque, Colorado, talks about the history and buildings of the town. 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.
Interview with Pearl (Ridley) Porter
Pearl Porter discusses the history of her father’s optometry practice in Grand Junction, her grade school education, and other aspects of her upbringing in early Twentieth century Mesa County. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado.
Interview with Pearl Marie "Bee" (Forrest) Randolph
Bee Randolph discusses her life in nursing, including her time in nursing school, her career at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, and being the first nurse at Colorado Mesa University. She also talks extensively about providing health services to migrant laborers in Palisade in the 1950’s. 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.
Interview with Peter Matteroli
Dr. Peter Matteroli describes his time living in multiple buildings around downtown Grand Junction, including the YMCA building. Peter tells the story of his wild journey to take the Dental Board Exam in Salt Lake City, Utah, the trials and tribulations of opening up a dentist office in Grand Junction, getting shot in the ankle while rabbit hunting, his experience serving on the board of the Eagles Ball Club, and stories from the Grand Junction Lions Club. 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.
Interview with Philip Louis "Dutch" Griebel
Philip Griebel talks about his life as an educator and a coach at Fruita High School. He remembers the fire that burnt down the first Fruita Union High School in 1934. He describes teaching topics in science and math for 28 years. He speaks about his career as a basketball, football, and track coach, remembers school and community involvement in the games, and rivalries between Fruita and high schools in Delta, Grand Junction, Gunnison, Montrose, and Palisade. He talks about aspects of local life, including the Interurban train, the rivalry between the towns of Cleveland and Fruita during Prohibition, and the Cowpuncher’s Reunion. He recalls the success of students who went on to college, students that dropped out, disciplinary issues in school, and the tendency of farm boys to register late for school and leave before the school year had finished. He speaks about projects he undertook as part of the Fruita Rotary Club, his one remaining relative in Missouri, his service in the Army during World War I, and the Fruita Hospital. The interview was conducted by the Mesa County Oral History Project, a collaboration of Mesa County Libraries and the Museums of Western Colorado. *Note: The transcripts for this interview have been machine-created and do contain inaccuracies. In time, each transcript will be audited by a human being to ensure greater accuracy.

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