Remembering Salida

The Salida Oral History Project preserved the history and heritage of Salida through interviews of long-time residents and other knowledgeable people who lived and worked in the area. These are shared stories of their childhood, schooling, family, church, outings, celebrations, friends, hobbies, and events that still live in their memories. The interviews will be kept forever so that others can learn from these true historians’ words.

Pages

Interview with Agnes Thornton
Interview with Agnes Thornton, b. Nov. 19, 1906 and died Nov. 14, 2013.
Interview with Alberta Mitchell - December 13, 2004
Interview with Alberta Mitchell on December 13, 2004. Alberta was born on July 1, 1926 and died on August 29, 2011. She discusses growing up in Salida, her career as chief surgical nurse at the Denver & Rio Grande Hospital, and all of the people who made the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center a reality.
Interview with Alberta Mitchell - January 25, 2005
Interview with Alberta Mitchell on January 25, 2005. Alberta was born on July 1, 1926 and died on August 29, 2011. Alberta talks a little more about her hospital work, and taking care of Laura Evans in this secondary interview.
Interview with Anabel Lamberg
Interview with Anabel Lamberg, b. May 21, 1926. Anabel discusses her childhood in Buena Vista, Colorado; in particular, hanging out at Turner's Farm and going to Cottonwood Lakes every Sunday. She also remembers her life and career in the school system in Salida, Colorado.
Interview with Anthony Vigil
Interview with Anthony Vigil, b. May 15, 1928.
Interview with Bette Cable
Interview with Bette Cable, b. 1925. Bette discusses growing up in Salida and her marriage to Harry Cable, Salida's Police Chief.
Interview with Billie Jean Love
Interview with Billie Jean Love, born March 3, 1928 and died April 22, 2016. Billie has stories! She remembers small town life in Salida, Colorado and the Salida High School hijinks she used to participate in.
Interview with Bob Biglow
Interview with Bob Biglow, b. October 29, 1941 and died Aug. 14, 2014. Bob discusses skiing around Marshall Pass, being drafted into the U.S. Army, and his surveying business here in Salida., Robert G. Biglow, 72, of Salida died Aug. 14, 2014, at his home. He was born Oct. 29, 1941, in Salida to Sylvia and Robert B. Biglow. He grew up in his father’s Texaco Service Station, learning all of his dad’s mechanic skills from hands-on experience and developing a love for classic vehicles. He attended Salida schools, graduating in 1959. Mr. Biglow earned a bachelor’s degree from Western State College in 1964, majoring in math and geology, and went on to Colorado School of Mines for a year of graduate study. As a college student, he worked weekends for Salida surveyor Robert F. Harrison and went to work for 2 years as a cadastral surveyor with the Bureau of Land Management, based in Denver. In 1966, he married Virginia “Ginny” Macdonald of Pueblo. In response to the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, Engineer Branch. He served in Vietnam in 1969, becoming a captain and commanding D Company, 864th Engineer Battalion in the Highlands area of Vietnam building roads. The subsequent 2 years he spent in Fort Worth, Texas, as a Corps of Engineers officer. Mr. Biglow made the decision to return to Salida to work for Harrison Surveying and continued to intermittently serve in the Army Ready Reserves for 20 years after his active duty. When the opportunity arose to purchase the business, he began Biglow Land Surveyors in 1973. He moved his business into the building that held his dad’s Texaco Station in 1985 to continue the family connection at that address. Mr. Biglow loved his chosen career as a land surveyor and took pride in the maps and surveys he produced. One of his life accomplishments was to be listed in the Colorado Who’s Who in 1966-67 as the youngest registered land surveyor in the state. He was briefly a member the Salida Lions Club and served 30 years as a member and chairman of the Salida Planning Commission. Mr. Biglow was respected for his historical knowledge of the town and his even-handed decisions. He was especially proud of his Irish and Norwegian heritage, flying those national flags at his office. Although he joked that he was the “Troll of Salida,” he approached people and life with an open and positive attitude. from: http://www.themountainmail.com/obituaries/article_3a6380d0-27b3-11e4-8172-001a4bcf6878.html
Interview with Bob Rush
Interview with Bob Rush, b. Feb. 21, 1929.
Interview with Bonnie Bondurant
Interview with Bonnie (Lavonne) Bondurant, b. June 10, 1925 and died Aug. 4, 2007. Bonnie discusses her businesses, particularly Oxford's Market on Highway 50 in Salida, Colorado, and her contributions to the town of Salida., Mabel LaVonne "Bonnie" Bondurant, long-time active participant in Salida business and community affairs, died Aug. 4, 2007, in Pueblo. She was born June 10, 1925, in Las Animas. She and her husband operated Oxford's Market on U.S. 50 in Salida. When her husband died in an accident in 1988, she was appointed to his empty city council chair and was subsequently elected to other council terms. After the market sold, she helped manage Crews-Beggs clothing store until the business closed in 2000. Her business endeavors included an ownership interest in Rock 'n Row Rafting. She was Salida Regional Library treasurer and served on the Salida Housing Development board. She was a long-time member of Chaffee County Republicans, a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star and a member of Daughters of the Nile (honored ladies). Mrs. Bondurant was a long-time member of Salida Business Alliance where she was remembered for her dedication to downtown Salida business. She collected money for July 4 fireworks and was among the founders of Christmas Mountain USA. from: http://www.themountainmail.com/obituaries/article_e1ad0193-3606-5094-bd05-d0292b5a4500.html
Interview with Catherine Hayden
Interview with Catherine Hayden, b. July 7, 1935. Catherine discusses growing up in Salida and the businesses she remembers, the Salida Fish Pond, going up to the 'Red Rocks', working at the Hay Studio, and being sent to the Dumb Bunny Room in school.
Interview with Charles Upp - March 13, 2004
Interview with Charles Andrew Upp on March 13, 2004. Charles was born on June 8, 1923 and died March 19, 2012.

Pages