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
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- Interview with George Koenig
- Interview with George Koenig, born July 13, 1919 and died June 8, 2007. George did one of everything! He discusses his service in the U.S. Navy, owning a business in Salida, being a member of the Elks, Masons, Shriners, and the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps. George was also a state highway commissioner, was on the board of HRRMC and the Chamber of Commerce, was the first president of the South Arkansas Fire Protection District and as one of the first officers of the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, he was instrumental in bringing the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project to life. And George discusses how the Shriners obtained their meeting space, which used to be Laura Evans' parlor and home on Sackett.
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- Interview with George Oyler
- Interview with George Oyler, b. Feb. 9, 1916 and died March 19, 2011. George reminisces about his life as a newspaperman and living the life as a cowboy at Bear Creek.
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- Interview with Gladys Bunker
- Interview with Gladys Bunker, b. August 31, 1913 and died June 7, 2011. Gladys discusses growing up and the ranching life in the San Luis Valley., Gladys E. Bunker passed away peacefully June 7, 2011 at Columbine Manor, Salida. Her son and daughter were at her bedside. She was born in Salida on August 31, 1913 to Victor E. and Ruth Anna Anderson. She spent her young years growing up on a ranch at Alder Creek at the northern end of the San Luis Valley. She moved to Canon City in high school, and graduated there in 1931. She then attended nursing school at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs. She married Boyd E. Bunker and worked as a rancher’s wife, hay camp cook, and as a school bus driver and lunchroom cook in Moffat, Colorado. After the death of her husband, she worked at the Longfellow Elementary School lunchroom in Salida, where she prepared delicious home-cooked meals for hundreds of school children. She retired from there in 1978, and was then able to devote her time to fishing, gardening, horseback riding, and cooking at the Salida Senior Center. Mrs. Bunker was a very giving, caring woman who will be missed by everyone who knew her. from Gladys Bunker's obituary: http://www.lewisandglenn.com/obits/obituary.php?id=92518
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- Interview with Gwen Perschbacher
- Interview with Gwen Perschbacher, b. May 27, 1928. Gwen reminisces about her nursing career and work at the Denver & Rio Grande Hospital, and at Columbine Manor.
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- Interview with Helen Campbell & Norman Campbell - August 16, 2004
- Interview with Helen Campbell and Norman Campbell. Helen and Norman discuss life in Salida, growing up on their ranch and the chores they had to do, vacations up at the North Fork Valley and the town of Shavano, the Almont Dance Pavilion, and the history of the pronunciation of the word 'Salida'.
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- Interview with Helen Campbell & Norman Campbell - September 21, 2003
- Interview with siblings Norman Colin Campbell and Helen Louise Campbell Drake in Delta, Colo. Norman was born June 3, 1927 and died Oct. 9, 2012 and Helen was born March 4, 1933 and died Jan. 6, 2006. They discuss attending Valley View School, square dancing at the band pavilion in Alpine Park, and growing up on their farm in Salida, Colorado., Helen L. Drake, 72, a Salida pioneer, most recently of Delta, died Jan. 6, 2006, at Willowtree of Delta. She was born March 4, 1933, in Salida, to Colin and Luella Sage Campbell. She married Keith Drake Aug. 28, 1959, in Gunnison. She was employed as a teacher for many years, retiring in 1993. Mrs. Drake grew up in Salida and graduated from Salida High School in 1951. She attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins where she received her bachelors degree. She later received a masters degree from Western State College in Gunnison. She began teaching in Delta County in the early 1950s. She was a member of PEO Chapter GT of Delta, several Bridge clubs and enjoyed playing bunko. Her other interests included genealogy and traveling. She was especially interested in her grandchildren. from Helen's obituary: http://www.themountainmail.com/obituaries/article_eb484989-a4e7-595b-b4a8-b068a19e2c5b.html And: Norman Colin Campbell June 3, 1927 – October 9, 2012 Norman Colin Campbell of Grand Junction Colorado, age 85, passed away October 9, 2012, under the loving compassionate care of the Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Grand Junction. He was born on June 3rd,1927, in Salida, Colorado the son of Colin P. Campbell and Luella V. (Sage) Campbell. Norman attended his first eight grades of school in a one room school house in Salida CO, called Valley View School House where one teacher taught all eight grades and he had perfect attendance. After graduating from Salida High School in 1945, he enlisted in the Army where he spent most of his service in Japan during WWII. He then attended Fort Collins Agricultural College (later known as CSU) and achieved his Bachelors degree. He went on to attend University of Utah and finished his Masters program at Western State College. After he finished his collegiate studies his first teaching position was at Leadville High School. He then moved to Irvine, California and taught Horticulture at Tustin High School in Irvine, California until he retired in 1987. He then moved to Delta, Colorado to be closer to his immediate family and to travel and do the hobbies that he enjoyed. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church for many years, was involved in the Meals for Wheels program and loved classical music and was a lifelong member of the Community Concert series. Norman enjoyed traveling and reading and had a large collection of books that he donated to the Delta Public Library and the Delta School District. Some of his most memorable trips included China, most of Europe, Nova Scotia and the 48 contiguous states. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gjsentinel/obituary.aspx?pid=160372767#sthash.pkEtTHW5.dpuf
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- Interview with Irene Budd
- Interview with Irene Budd, b. April 12, 1917 and died Aug. 22, 2012. Irene discusses her struggle with tuberculosis, and raising two kids in Salida, Colorado., Irene Budd, 95, a Salida resident for more than 65 years, died Aug. 22, 2012, in Denver, following complications after breaking her hip Aug. 14. She was born April 12, 1917, to Mac and Irene (May) Crowder in Glenmora, La., and raised in Oakdale, La. She attended Southwestern University in Lafayette, La., and Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, where she became a registered nurse. She met Dr. Ed Budd, who was serving in the Public Health Service, in 1940. They married in June 1941 in Oakdale. During the war years, the couple was stationed in Arkansas and New York City. After World War II, they moved to Salida where Dr. Budd’s family lived. Mrs. Budd worked as office assistant and bookkeeper for her husband, who was an anesthesiologist at Salida Hospital and had a general practice until he retired. She was active in the First United Methodist Church, serving in many capacities, and in community organizations, including Eastern Star and PEO. Mrs. Budd enjoyed playing bridge, music, singing, reading, walking and attending exercise classes. She took up golf later in life. A University of Colorado Buffaloes fan, she held season tickets for more than 50 years. Mrs. Budd maintained a sense of adventure and curiosity throughout her life. She enjoyed making friends and loved to travel, especially to Maui, Hawaii, Europe and throughout the U.S., including rock-hunting expeditions in the Southwest. from: http://www.themountainmail.com/obituaries/article_2f31763c-edfd-11e1-a60a-0019bb30f31a.html
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- Interview with Iris Stotler
- Interview with Iris Stotler on February 4, 2005. Iris was born May 24, 1918 and died May 18, 2012. She remembers all the changes that occurred in downtown Salida and all of her teachers at Salida High School. Iris loved swimming at the Wellsville pool, ice skating on the Little Arkansas, and roller skating at the rink in downtown Salida.
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- Interview with Jack Chivvis
- Interview with Jack Chivvis. Jack discusses the many layers of the history of Salida, focusing mainly on Salida's historic district.
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- Interview with James Nance
- Interview with James Nance. Jim was born on August 3, 1951 and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. When he came back stateside, he worked at the Home Bakery and the Salida Post Office. Jim discusses his work as a videographer in Salida, and gives a complete rundown of who owned what business on F Street in the 60s. He also has a detailed story of the plane crash that occurred near Howard, Colorado, on February 8, 1995.
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- Interview with Jane Ferraro
- Interview with Jane Ferraro, b. January 31, 1924. Jane reminisces about growing up in Salida, going to St. Joseph's Parochial School, and what she did for fun.
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- Interview with Jane Melien
- Interview with Jane Melien, born April 16, 1914 and died ...Jane discusses riding the Denver & Rio Grande train, the construction of Monarch Pass, and the history of Salida's Presbyterian Church.