Oral history interview with Tom Butterfield, 2000 December 7

Item

Identifier: DCL2000.064

Staff Only

Abstract

Tom Butterfield describes life in the rural Indian Park area southwest of Sedalia, Colo. during the mid-20th century. He recalls residing there originally with his aunt, and his recollections of attending the Indian Park School as a child (originally called the Brown School), and later high school in neighboring Castle Rock. He reminisces about the family's neighbors, and various area activities he remembers during that time, e.g. moonshining and sawmills. The interview then shifts focus as Butterfield describes his experiences while in the Navy in World War II, specifically his participation in the Normandy invasion and transporting troops and supplies aboard the LST (landing ship tank) he was assigned to.

Dates

2000 December 7

Digital Repository

Oral history interview with Tom Butterfield

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Biographical / Historical

The son of a doctor, Tom Butterfield was born in Greeley, Colo., and moved with his family to Denver where his father practiced medicine. His family purchased property in the Indian Park area southwest of Sedalia as a second home, and, deciding he liked the rural school near the home better than his Denver school, Tom was allowed to attend grade school there, and went on to attend high school in Castle Rock. Shortly after graduating, he enlisted in the Navy and fought in World War II on the European front. He returned to Colorado following the war, attended college, and in 1955 he and his wife, Barbara (ne?e Iler) whom he married in 1948, returned to Douglas County where they pursued cattle and horse ranching.