Auraria Library

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Bob Richardson, executive director of the Colorado Railroad Museum, shares his knowledge and expertise regarding the history of railroads in the West, railroad unions, and the working conditions and compensation of railroad workers. Also discusses the importance of railroads for the development of Colorado.

Abstract

Evelyn Essig discusses living at the train depot when her father worked for the railroad companies in Kokomo, Colorado and growing up on a Ute Indian Reservation and in Gunnison, Colorado. Reflects on childhood memories such as going to see movies at the theater. Essig spent much of her childhood raising her younger siblings.

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Forest Crossen, author and historian, reflects on his family's move from Montana to Colorado. Reflects on riding the Denver Interurban Electric Car from Denver to Boulder in the early 1920s. Discusses his first jobs in Boulder, his education, and his dreams of becoming a professional writer. Discusses working on railroads, particularly working at the Moffat Tunnel.

Abstract Fred Dow, a professor at the University of Colorado Denver, discusses the influx of Chinese immigrants into the state of Colorado providing labor for mines, railroads, and other labor industries in the 1860s and 1870s. Dow discusses his family history and heritage as a Chinese American. Dow traces the mass migration of Chinese immigrants from the 1840s, factors contributing to the "great migration," describes the mostly young, single, male population of Chinese workers, and describes the...

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Hal Benson, a CU graduate, reflects on his childhood in Leadville, Colorado on a homestead and in town. Recalls watching the silver and ore smelters at a mine in Leadville and his connection with Baby Doe Tabor. Benson discusses the railroad industry in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, including railroad accidents. Discusses the influx of Chinese immigrants working for the Public Service Company building power lines in the mountains.

Abstract Idabelle Arndt grew up in Idaho Springs and describes her family history of mining, her earliest recollections of Colorado, and the beginning of her love for geology. Discusses her activities in childhood including jumping rope, joining Campfire Girls, and exploring the mines. Discusses the narrow gauge railroad that serviced the mountains around Georgetown, Central City, Idaho Springs, and Golden. Reflects on her experience as a school teacher in Wyoming and Colorado and her education at...

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John Norwood reflects on his father's employment in the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company and his childhood, which included many moves across the country. Norwood discusses writing "Rio Grande Narrow Gauge" about the railroad, his research behind the book, and the history of the narrow gauge built by William Palmer.

Abstract Larry Crittendon reflects on his childhood in Denver, Colorado, his work with the Rio Grande Railroad for 48 years, his time studying music at the Denver Conservatory of Music, and playing piano, bassoon and celesta with the Denver Symphony. Discusses his father's experiences as Molly Brown's (Margaret Tobin Brown) butcher. Reminisces about the early nickelodeon movie theaters and silent films and watching Halley's comet in 1910. Discusses the Great Depression and the effects it had on...

Abstract Thomas Jacob Noel, better known as Tom Noel, was a professor of History at the University of Colorado Denver. Noel discusses several important people in Colorado's history, particularly influential people in Denver. Noel discusses William Newton Byers, who was the founder of the Rocky Mountain News and the rivalry between Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post. Next, Noel discusses the role General William H. Larimer, Jr. played in naming Denver and how Governor John Evans founded Denver...