Lafayette Archival Oral History Collection 1968-2001

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Oral History with Hannah Evans
Hannah Evans recalls family life and daily life in early Lafayette. She remembers the notorious bars of Lafayette. Mary Miller wrote it into the deed that saloons could only be built in a certain spot. Hannah knew Mrs. Miller very well. She also recalls the big fire that occurred in the early 1900s that burnt much of early Lafayette.
Oral History with Ira Reddington
In this interview, Ira Reddington 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 Jack & Ruth Davies
Jack and Ruth Davies shared a variety of memories of their life in Lafayette, Colorado in their joint oral history interview conducted on May 6th, 1986. Married in 1932, the two discussed their personal and professional life, which included work at a local bakery, the Burlington Railroad, the Columbine Mine, the Lafayette Fire Department, and McMurtry Manufacturing Co. Paint & Varnish. They discussed recollections of the 1910 miners’ strike and the impact of the Great Depression on city life. In the conclusion of the interview, Jack commented that “…[Lafayette] was a good town and it still is a good town as far as towns is concerned, but I think there’s too many strangers. You don’t know anybody anymore. It makes it bad and by all the building going to the south, is making it bad for senior citizens – transportation, shopping, doctors, which is quite a change.”
Oral History with Jacob Weiler
Jacob “Jake” Weiler’s oral history interview conducted on April 25th, 1975 discussed his career in coal mining in northern Colorado. Jake was born in Germany but came to Lafayette in 1911. Weiler talked about his first job in Standard Mine driving mules, where he witnessed mine accidents but was never injured himself. He subsequently served as the foreman for several years. Jacob also reflected on the many changes in how local mines were run throughout his 54-year career.
Oral History with James Graham December 1975
In this interview, Jimmy describes his early years working in the coal mines in the Lafayette, CO area and his time as an organizer for the American Federation of Labor. He also served as president of Local 1388 of the United Mine Workers union in Lafayette for many years and was vice president of the Colorado State Federation of Labor. He was “dragged” into City Council in 1928-29 because the union wanted him to run. Jimmy talks about his time in the House of Representatives (1930-1937), during which time he introduced the first Old Age Pension Law in CO and sponsored unemployment compensation. In addition to all this, he worked with the state Vocational Education Department teaching first aid, mine rescue techniques, and preparation classes for mine foreman. He owned a 24 hour restaurant called “Jimmy’s Lunch” after his time as a coal miner. After he sold the restaurant, he went back to the state as Deputy Secretary of State under George Baker for two years. After that, he worked for the county in the Highway Department for about five years before retiring.
Oral History with James Graham March 4, 1986
Jimmy was born in Coal Creek, CO to James W. Graham Sr. (of Glasgow, Scotland) and Julie McDonald (of Illinois). He met Madge Waite in high school in Grand Junction, CO and they married in 1924. They had three children. Jimmy arrived in Lafayette in 1911 and at the time it was purely a coal mining town. He recalls the mine strike and what it was like to work in the mines and the conditions. Jimmy also recalls the Monarch Mine explosion. After his time working in the mines (about 12 years), Jimmy worked for the United Mine Workers as an organizer. He also worked for the State Federation of Labor as vice president on the board of directors. Jimmy served three terms in the State Legislature in the 1930s. During this time, some of the issues he worked on were old age pension, unemployment insurance, and increase in workman’s compensation. Jimmy was also the mayor of Lafayette for a time, although he cannot remember the exact dates. During his time as mayor, the sewer system was installed, streets were paved, and water meters were installed. Jimmy talks about the restaurant that he and Madge ran together and his five years that he served with the firemen. The interview ends with Jimmy talking about the Great Depression.
Oral History with Jim Webber
In this interview, Jim Webber describes his family's Studebaker garage and the fire that closed it in 1922. He recalls many of the old families of Lafayette and his adolescence in town. Bill Moon joins in on the interview and helped to recall some more residents and their histories.
Oral History with Joe & Betty Beraneck -A
Mr. & Mrs. Beraneck Listed names of several families; Talked about some of the businesses owned by people on the W side of Lafayette. Per Mary Miller, all taverns were on W side; not allowed on E side. Talked about businesses on Public Road and on Baseline going West. Would have been in late 30’s and the 40’s and 50’s. Talked about large grocery store that had a charge system. Sometimes miners did not receive paychecks on time. Clothing store also had charge system. Talked about Graham family. Talked about neighborhood gatherings/events. Several families had boys; got along well; played baseball on empty lots. Talked about the first Catholic Church. Got married there 1/14/1950. 1954 built new Catholic Church. Had fundraisers in basement. Money hard to come by during strikes. Raised their own vegetables; many had chickens and raised rabbits for food. Some rivalry between E and W Lafayette. Seemed like everyone knew everyone. Didn’t lock houses. Helped each other when fires or someone ill. Black Diamond mine was on the curve of Hwy 287 and Baseline. Talked about various mines. Had a HUGE sinking/cave in on Longmont Ave and Kimbark St. Came close to front steps of a home – late 1950’s. Filled with old pieces of concrete and junk cars, etc. People came from all over to see the big hole!
Oral History with Joe & Betty Beraneck -B
Talked about coal camps, houses, etc. When a mine shut down people could buy the houses. Some of the houses in W Lafayette came from coal camps. Some of the houses people bought were moved to W Lafayette. Talked about various builders of the houses in W Lafayette. Also carpenters. Houses were small. As families grew they added on to the houses. Talked about landscaping and features of the neighborhood. Beautiful view of the mountains. Talked about sidewalks and gutters installation. On Arbor Day school children would plant trees. Had a botanical society. Some also joined the Colorado Botanical Society. Many had their own vegetable and flower gardens. Talked about the history of a large three-story house. Talked about the taverns during prohibition. Think they stayed open – in late 1930’s. Betty doesn’t remember her father talking about prohibition. Talked about septic tanks – no sewers. Joe’s family was very large – 11 boys and 6 girls. Raised chickens and rabbits and geese. Ate very well.
Oral History with Joe & Betty Beranek
Oral History with Joe & Lois Distel
Joe and Lois Distel recalled their experience living in Lafayette in their 1975 oral history interview. The two spoke of their time raising their family alongside the growing community in Northern Colorado. Major themes from this collection of interviews include the Distel’s business conducted in Lafayette, such as owning a farm (wheat and hay), buying the Lafayette Elevator Co. in 1967, and providing the community with auto and mechanic services, as the pair opened Distel’s Motor Services in 1945. Additionally, this interview sheds light on the rapid population growth and changing infrastructure of Lafayette in the mid-twentieth century, including paving roads and centralizing water and sewage. Joe and Lois also speak about their overall life stories, sharing stories about their childhoods spent in Lafayette and anecdotes from their marriage and parenthood. This object also contains two audio recordings of an oral history interview with only Joe Distel, but without an adjoining transcript.
Oral History with Joe Fletcher
Joe (Cotton) Fletcher discusses his time working in the mines, the layouts of the mines, and what the working conditions were like as well as the unions at the time, the IWW and the UMW. The Columbine Mine massacre is mentioned and described in detail. Tape B begins by discussing smaller strikes that took place and the implication of the Taft-Hartley Act. The interview ends by discussing union organizers, the nationalities of those working in the mines, and more about how work was done in the mines.

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