Lafayette Archival Oral History Collection 1968-2001

In the mid-1970s, Effie Amicarella and Carolyn Connaroe obtained a grant from the Colorado State Library to begin a series of taped oral history interviews to record and preserve early resident's recollections of the history of Lafayette. This collection features these oral histories and many more, altogether spanning from 1968-2001. These interviews highlight Lafayette’s mining history, agrarian history, history of commerce and more. Included here are digital copies of cassette recordings and transcripts that are physically located in Lafayette Public Library's archives.

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Oral History with Margaret Gibson
Margaret Gibson recalled her life growing up in Lafayette, Colorado in her oral history interview conducted on July 16th, 1984. She spoke about the community atmosphere and local businesses of Lafayette in her childhood and reflects on how the area has changed throughout her life. She also described the impact of the Great Depression, the 1910 Miners Strike, and the first and second World War on Lafayette. Most of all, Margaret reflected on her family and how being a mother, sister, wife, and daughter impacted her life and values.
Oral History with Marie Beauprez
In this oral history interview conducted on September 11, 1990, Marie Beauprez discuses at length her lifetime as a working partner in the family’s cattle and farming business. She discusses the history of the Beauprez farm, beginning with Joe’s father, Arthur Beauprez, who bought or rented over 1000 acres of land in the Lafayette, CO area. Marie and Joe owned and operated a 160-acre farm and rented and farmed on some of the 500 neighboring acres. Beginning in July 1990, they started to sell off the farm. This land then became a golf course and was sold off in parcels to McStain to build the Indian Peaks neighborhood. She discusses the challenges of farming in this area, particularly water shortages. Marie also reminisces about the social activities in the area such as dances at the Grange Hall.
Oral History with Mary Borstnick
Mary Borstnick recalled her life and perceptions of several contentious social and political events in Lafayette, Colorado during her 1983 oral history interview. She begins by explaining the presence of the KKK in Lafayette, which included cross-burning demonstrations and anti-Mexican and Catholic sentiments. Next, she covers the 1910 Mining Strike and the Columbine Incident. Her family lived at the Columbine at the time, putting them in the middle of the incident. Mary also spoke about her experiences living in many different mining camps, including Simpson Camp, as her husband was a foreman in different mines. Mary described life in mining camps as the spouse of a miner and spoke about the lively social environment and community she formed with other residents.
Oral History with Mary Massaro
Mary Massaro’s oral history interview conducted on October 6th, 1988 described her life and career in Lafayette, Colorado. Born to an Italian-American family in 1907, Mary discussed moving to Lafayette in 1929 and raising three daughters in the area. Mary reflected on the impact of the Great Depression on her own family and the greater Lafayette community. The Massaro family’s life changed when Mary’s husband, Joe, caught his foot in a mining machine and lost his leg in 1942. Defying traditional Italian family values that mandated that wives and mothers abstain from paid work outside the home, Mary started working in a factory, and later as a cook for Lafayette Elementary School where she remained from 1952-1970. She expressed that she was grateful for PERA from Boulder Valley School District which paid her a disability pension. Mary maintained Italian culture through her cooking of pizzelles, and making homemade sausage and pasta, and other Italian dishes. She was also a very observant and devout Catholic, and the church remained her main connection to the local community. She lived in the same house for fifty-nine years. Overall, Mary projected a very positive view of her life in Lafayette, which was family centered, especially with her three daughters living nearby in the city.
Oral History with Maude Schofield August 31, 1989
In this oral history interview, Maude describes how her family came to Denver, CO from England to reunite with her maternal grandfather. This grandfather was superintendent of a mine and found a job for her father at the Leyden mine. Maude married George “Kelly” Frederick Schofield on March 3, 1918 and they had one daughter, Lois Marie. George managed the Bill Bale’s Creamery for a time and then worked for Schofield Farms Company with his brothers and dad. Maude describes Lafayette when her family first arrived, the businesses in town, and the school. She also describes her household chores once she was married and how she completed them as well as how people dressed. The interview concludes with Maude talking about their work on the farm. There is no audio available for this interview.
Oral History with Maude Schofield February 24th, 1975
Maude Schofield discussed her family and social life growing up in Lafayette, Colorado in her oral history interview conducted on February 24th, 1975. Born in England, Maude moved to Lafayette with her family when she was nine. Her father was a local miner and she recalled what it was like to be his daughter and hear his stories from the mine. She reflected on her childhood with household chores, playing with friends, going to see movies, and attending school. She spoke to the changes over time as the town has grown and expanded, and commented how she grew up knowing everyone as it was such a small town. Once married, Maude lived on a ranch outside of town. To socialize, as Maude was not employed, she was active in her church and various clubs in Lafayette.
Oral History with Merrill Angevine
Merrill Angevine served as a teacher, athletic coach, principal within the local Lafayette School District from 1929 to 1934. He then became superintendent for 28 years, from 1934 to 1961. In his oral history interview conducted in 1973, Angevine reflected on the creation of the combined Boulder Valley School district, which integrated Boulder, Louisville, Broomfield, and Lafayette schools in 1961, with Angevine serving as the Director of Teaching Personnel. Most notably, Merrill discusses the history of Lafayette High School and its historical and present buildings. Additionally, he describes tremendous funding challenges during the Great Depression, in which many schools faced staff shortages and could not afford to hire full time teachers and administrators. There is no audio available for this interview.
Oral History with Merwin and Lucille Harrison
Merwin and Lucille are high school sweet hearts who met in 1928. They discuss their early years living in the area. The pair recall what it was like growing up in the area. Merwin and Lucille also discuss the technology of their youth including: crystal radio sets, open air cockpits on airplanes, serial radio programs, and steam trains. Merwin was a rural mail carrier. He spent time working at the Ordinance Plant during WWII before enlisting and doing his active duty in Hawaii. Lucille spent time on the library board in the 1960s and they discuss how the library may have been founded as well as its various locations. They discuss various disasters over the years including: a fire of an entire street block that burned an abandoned school and an antique store (the former bank building), a large flood, bank robberies, and a movie theater that burned in the 1950s.
Oral History with Miranda Hurt
Miranda Hurt came to Lafayette, CO in 1924 to be a teacher. She describes Lafayette at the time as being filled with many empty houses as people had moved away to find work. She recalls the Columbine Mine Massacre and how the town reacted. She speaks of life in and outside of the classroom. Audio is missing.
Oral History with Norma Ross
In this oral history interview with Norma Ross, she recalls various small businesses, churches, coal mines, clubs, and occupations of Lafayette residents.
Oral History with Polly Simpson Morgan
In this interview, Polly Simpson Morgan discusses the Simpson Mine, which her family started. She discusses what Lafayette, CO was like during her childhood. Polly was married to Richard William Morgan who worked in the coal mines and was then elected to the Colorado Legislature and then the Colorado State Senate.
Oral History with Ralph Deandrea, Dugan Schofield, & Tony Largo
Ralph Deandrea, Tony Largo, and Dugan Schofield reflect on the hazards of working in the mines. They recall the daily life of working in the mines including mining equipment like picks, shovels, and oil lamps.

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