Embedded Files
Oral Histories
Oral Histories
An oral history is the process of collecting and studying historical information using sound recordings of interviews with people having personal knowledge of past events. Since the early 1980s, oral interviews of individuals who lived in and around Williams were collected by researchers associated with the Cline Library at Northern Arizona University, and several were collected by Teri Cleland who worked as a Historian for the Kaibab National Forest in the 1990s.
Marvin Lewis Mason (aka Marvelous Marv) was a long time Williams resident and lover of local history. Over the years he identified and collected photos, written and oral histories from various sources. The oral histories he likely downloaded from the collection of oral histories located at the NAU Cline Library Special Collections and Archives https://directory.nau.edu/departments?id=S00261
We were fortunate that he chose to share his collection with the Williams Historic Photo Project prior to his passing.
There are 10 recorded oral Histories related to Williams which Marv collected and are located here. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Xt13lKoalVp84C35FVKXRBIeREwz0Dik
The interviews completed in 1984 were compiled by Author and Historian Al Richmond. All of his interviews are available through the Colorado Plateau Digital Collections at Northern Arizona University https://archive.library.nau.edu/digital/search/searchterm/Grand%20Canyon%20Railway%20Oral%20History%20Project/field/all/mode/all/conn/and
Mr Richmond has authored several books about the Grand Canyon Railroad. The information gathered through these oral interviews were used to inform his publications. His most recent version of his book Cowboys, Miners, Presidents & Kings: The Story of the Grand Canyon Railway is available in several location including the Williams Visitors Center.
Oral History List
Cherrie Blair-Interviewed 3/23/2006 Local cattle rancher who maintained land north of Williams in the Valle Area. Interacted with the sheep families and other local ranchers.
David and Carmen Lay 1/20/1976 Flagstaff natives. Worked for Babbitts.
Harry E. Matson interviewed in 1984 Father worked for Saginaw & Manistee and lived in the logging camps including Apex.
Helen Pearson interviewed 2/26/1984. Lived and ranched north of Williams
John L. Black. 3/17/1984 Lived in Flagstaff. Father and Grandfather worked for the railroad. His dad had a Standard Oil Station in the 1930s in Williams, then worked for the railroad.
Lilo M. Perrin Interviewed 4/28/1984. Family came to Williams in 1886 purchasing land from the Atlantic and Pacific Railway. Grazed Sheep and Cattle.
Michael P. Macauley Interviewed 5/16/1984 Family worked at the Frey Marcos in Williams and talked about the railroad.
Pauline J. Sampson & Marjorie Poquette Interviewed in 1984. Pauline Sampson was born in Williams in 1901 and Grew up Second and Grant. Marjorie Poquette taught school in Williams and was part of the Poquette sheep family.
Vera Gross Black Interviewed 3/28/1984. Born in Williams in 1910. and lived her entire life in Williams. Worked for Babbitt's. Briefly worked as a teacher at Apex Lumber Camp.
Judge William Sutton Interviewed 4/2/1984. Born in Phoenix and came to Williams in the 1930s. Worked for the railroad and later became the municipal judge in Williams. The interview is mainly about his time working for the railroad.
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