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THE HISTORY CENTER
Oral History Interviews
Junior League Oral History Project
This project was a cooperative endeavor by the Junior League of Cedar Rapids and the Cedar Rapids Public Library. The first interview was done on July 27, 1984. The interview was of Julia Robbins Allen and the interviewer was Inez Lyon. The last (90th) interview was of Tom Armitage and was done by Mary R. Curran on October 29, 1984.
The project was called “Cedar Rapids: The Early Community”. It focused on interviews of community members with varied backgrounds who remembered early 20th century (1900-1940) life in Cedar Rapids. The Chairperson was Laura M. Derr with training led by Harold Ewoldt of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Loren Horton of the Iowa State Historical Society.
We have a voice cassette and a transcription of all 90 interviews. They were gifted to us by the Cedar Rapids Public Library and accessioned as of January 25, 2005.
*This page is being updated on a regular basis. Please check back regularly.
Interview Transcripts
Interview Subject/Profession and/or Topics Discussed/Date of Interview.
Interviews on DVD
Thanks to volunteers Jerry Ferrie and Allan Eggers, The History Center has a large number of videos available for viewing. These videos, made over a period of several years, feature both famous local residents and those who just enjoyed living in the Linn County area over the years. They tell interesting stories of past events in their lives, people they have known and the places they fondly remember.
Following is an alphabetical list of those who have been interviewed thus far. If you wish to view any of these videos please contact our museum curator at 319-362-1501 ext. 110 or email: curator@historycenter.org.
Interview Subject | Date of Interview | Profession and/or Topics Discussed | Length of Interview |
|---|---|---|---|
Abodeely, Edna | 10/14/03 | Early Lebanese Culture | 50 min. |
Abodeely, Ernie | 8/13/03 | Lebanese culture, Army surplus store | 58 min. |
Barry, Liz | 4/12/01 | CR born, early aviator at Hunter airport | 19 min. |
Barta, George | 3/28/04 | Early 16th Ave. Saddle & Leather Shop | 70 min. |
Beatty, Lucille Lewis | 04/08/04 | Resident Lewis Bottoms area near Palo | 58 min. |
Becker, Harold | 04/08/04 | Chair. of Board Guaranty Bank & Trust | 58 min. |
Belden, Elizabeth | 10/7/09 | School Teacher , Dr. of Education UI | 30 min. |
Berger, Alfred | 8/26/04 | Berger Furrier business in Marion | 57 min. |
Bezanson, Peter | 04/06/04 | Pres. Morris Plan & Mor Am. Fin. Corp. | 55 min. |
Bramel, Grant | 4/5/01 | WWII veteran, P-40 pilot fighter | 38 min. |
Brooks, Bob | 9/19/02 | Local Sportscaster-KCRG,KHAK,KMRY | 64 min. |
Brown,Alice&Cray,Al | 05/02/02 | Lifelong CR resident & Hist.Volunteer | 98 min. |
Buresh, Ernie | 4/28/05 | Owners of Banks in CR & Linn County | 60 min |
Buresh, Ernie & Jo | 5/12/05 | Memories of Howard & Marg. Hall | 29 min. |
Burge, Vernon | 01/08/02 | Farmer south of Mt. Vernon | 78 min. |
Carr, Jerry | 04/03/02 | WMT Radio Announcer-D-jay | 65 min. |
Carson, Carl | 3/15/01 | Life long aviator of Linn County | 65 min. |
Carson,Carl & Mary | 11/9/10 | Desegregation of C.R. Public Schools | 56 min. |
Cashman,Sister Mary E | 1/18/02 | Mother Gen., Dean & Reg.Of Mt. Mercy | 42 min. |
Chadima,Bill | 4/24/03 | Hubbard Ice/Hawkeye Fire & Safety | 55 min. |
Charles, Timothy | 6/11/2010 | CEO, Mercy Hospital-flood of 2008 | 51 min. |
Collins, Dr. Russell | 10/17/01 | C.R. Dentist, Africa/American | 74 min. |
Cray,Alberta,Brown,Al | 05/02/02 | Lifelong CR resident & Hist.Volunteer | 98 min. |
Curran, Guy “Bud” | 1/14/02 | CR baseball park Grounds keeper | 53 min. |
Dannels, Nova | 1/10/02 | Hist. Center volunteer | 83 min. |
Davis, Dick | 8/20/03 | Davis Dairy & early C.R. memories | 83 min. |
Daws, Beverly | 5/6/11 | Hiawatha resident | 54 min. |
Dlask, Elma (Pudil) | 04/04/02 | Ellis Blvd. Grocery store owner | 50 min. |
Dmitruk, Henry | 6/7/01 | Early aviator, Hunter airport,Collins | 50 min. |
Downs, Ann Krejci | 11/15/01 | United Airlines, Stewardess | 75 min. |
Dreibelbis, Pat | 4/27/01 | Early aviator, B-17 pilot, Vinton Bank | 47 min. |
Drenkhahn,Marilyn | 4/27/11 | Child @ Children’s home | 19 min. |
Driscoll, Ralph | 6/26/01 | Cons.business, Early aviator,Collins | 49 min. |
Estle, George | 9/26/11 | CEO – Tanager Place | 48 min. |
Farmer’s Market | 7/16/03 | Hist. Of CR market, by Lenora Watson | 44 min. |
Fielder, G. Rodriguez | 8/26/04 | Hispanic Heritage | 63 min. |
Flood Stories | 8/12/09 | M. Duffy, S. Gannon, & P. Keating | 52 min. |
Funcke, Peter | 12/16/02 | Retired Cedar Rapids police officer | 78 min. |
Furman, Ethel | 11/29/01 | Wife of railroad dispatcher, Rock Is. | 69 min. |
Geuder, Bob | 5/11/05 | Dir. Of Follies 26 yrs., & a teacher | 47 min. |
Ginsberg, Herman | 04/01/04 | 4th generation family Jewelry business | 44 min. |
Glise, Tamara | 10/28/09 | Asst. Dir., C.R. Public Library | 32 min. |
Gonder, Ron | 5/6/2010 | Sports Broadcaster – WMT radio | 51 min. |
Goodman, Marge | 11/7/05 | Country School Music | 13 min. |
Goodman, Marge | 11/20/02 | C.R. school teacher for some 35 years | 76 min |
Granger House | 1/15/03 | Marion Granger House Museum tour | 53 min. |
Greco, Leo | 01/09/02 | Local Country music Band leader | 76 min |
Hall, Harold | 4/12/01 | Early aviator in Linn County | 72 min. |
Hansen, Donald | 6/23/10 | Memories of Grant Wood | 33 min. |
Hanson, Donald | 5/14/2010 | Collins Radio , Photo Dept. | 74min. |
Hanson, Vera-sister | 4/17/04 | Early Czech immigrants to Cedar Rapids | 64 min. |
Harmony Hawks | 9/13/02 | Harmony Hawks Chorus (local) | 59 min. |
Harris, Dr. Percy | 12/11/02 | C.R.-M.D. & Linn Co. Med. Examiner | 115 min. |
Harris, Lileah | 11/14/02 | Wife of Dr. Percy Harris, mother of 12 | 90 min. |
Hasek, Dr. Ondrej | 4/15/04 | Cedar Rapids 3rd Generation Dentist | 77 min. |
Heald, Don | 3/23/01 | WWII veteran early Linn county aviator | 38 min. |
Hembera, Agnes White | 4/28/05 | Daughter of Brucemore caretakers | 46 min |
Henrici, Carl | 10/17/01 | EE at Collins Radio, ham radio oper. | 52 min. |
Henry, George | 6/14/01 | Photographer for Coe | 62 min. |
Hepker, Ralph “Bud” | 1/13/04 | Collins Radio Eng, Appolo, WWII Vet. | 85 min. |
History for Lunch | 8/19/03 | Richard Scearce – Wright Connection | 63 min. |
History for Lunch | 4/15/03 | “Sports” people & city recreation | 90 min |
History for Lunch | 07/01/03 | Amelia Earhart (Rod Blocksome) | 71 min |
Hoppenworth, Marv | 6/14/01 | Early aviator, Collins Radio | 54 min. |
Hunter, Mark | 6/15/10 | Historian of C.R. flood, 2008 | 97 min. |
Jasa, Pauline | 3/31/04 | Truck farming & early City Market | 59 min. |
Johnson, Robert M.L. | 4/21/03 | C.R. mayor, Newscaster, IA Legislator | 100 min. |
Johnson, Ted | 10/25/01 | WWII veteran, founder of J-Tec | 117 min. |
Katz, Bert | 10/20/04 | Katz Salvage, Marion, Iowa | 58 min. |
Katz, Bert | 10/20/04 | WW II Military stories, “D” Day etc. | 40 min. |
Kazimour, Bob | 10/21/09 | Founder of RFK Trucking | 58 min. |
Kesler Eliza “Roby” | 4/15/02 | Coe, Author of Quiz Kids | 65 min. |
Kiecksee, Dale | 4/26/01 | Early aviator in Cedar Rapids | 64 min. |
Knapp, Russell | 8/22/02 | Security Corp. of Iowa founder | 93 min. |
Knecht, Vern | 4/21/03 | Country schooling,Vo-Ag Kirkwood Inst. | 72 min. |
Koehler History Center | 9/15/04 | Naming dedication of Hist. Center | 32 min. |
Koehler, Mary | 8/14/03 | C.R.& History Center Benefactress | 72 min. |
Krejci, Charles | 10/18/01 | Born in CR and stories of early times | 83 min. |
Krejci, Charles | 11/2/01 | 47 yrs. In C.R. Banking business | 87 min. |
Krouse, Wallace | 11/5/10 | Past Pres. C.R. baseball club 91-2007 | 57 min. |
Kubicek, Ted | 4/20/05 | C.R. lawyer for 30 years | 110 min |
Kubicek, Ted | 4/27/05 | Story of his FBI career | 57 min |
LCCDC | 10/12/04 | Linn County Child Development Center | 95 min. |
Lander, Clayton | 4/12/01 | WWII vet., Pilot for Collins Radio | 31 min. |
Larson, Dick | 6/17/11 | History on city of Hiawatha | 54 min. |
Lehmkuhl, James | 04/08/02 | Long time Cedarapidian | 64 min. |
Lewis, Doris M. | 11/20/02 | Linn Co. school teacher & farm wife | 75 min. |
Linge, Audrey, Ovel | 10/20/05 | Wife of David L.,owners of Cedar Mem. | 68 min. |
Lippisch, George | 6/27/01 | Lippisch Design, son of Alex Lippisch | 58 min. |
Lipsky, Joan | 10/15/09 | Psychologist, Legislator, Lawyer | 59 min. |
Liu, Lee | 4/27/05 | Former CEO & chairman of IES-Alliant | 67 min |
Lunning, Everett | 5-13-2010 | Early propane-gas Company in C.R. | 93min. |
Mahoney, Lorraine | 12/5/02 | Early Collins Radio employee | 67 min. |
McLeod,Jane & Frank | 11/20/02 | School teachers & parents of Clark | 95 min. |
Metcalf, Conger | 5/23/90 | copy of conversation with | 57 min. |
Metcalf, Conger | 8/20/04 | Renowned Artist narrated by W.Whipple | 50 min. |
Miller, George | 1/24/02 | Farm manager for Weaver Witwer | 47 min. |
Mills, Ralph | 08/09/02 | br-1902, IDOT, Mil.RR, Marion city Engr. | 100 min. |
Minor, Red | 1/22/01 | Early aviator, Collins Radio | 92 min. |
Munsell, Bill | 8/21/03 | CMF&Z local Advertising Agency | 72 min. |
Myers,Virginia Sigmund | 1/30/03 | Social work in Cedar Rapids area | 63 min. |
Nance, Bob | 8/22/02 | WMT farm personality, Vigortone V.P. | 76 min. |
Nassif, Barb | 11/8/01 | C.R. Interior Designer- had business | 73 min. |
Nassiff, Mary | 10/14/03 | Early Lebanese Culture | 70 min. |
Neff, Lillian | 10/1/09 | Brd. member Emeritus Children’s Home | 44 min. |
Nejdl, Bob | 4/15/04 | Early Czech memories & Dog boarding | 82 min. |
Nejdl, Marjorie Kopecek | 4/17/03 | Marj’s part-2 interview, Egg Art demo | 37 min |
Nejdl, Marjorie Kopecek | 8/20/03 | Telling about rich Czech heritage | 53 min. |
Newport, Dale | 3/31/04 | Early City Market & Newport Florist | 47 Min. |
Novotny, Frank | 4/29/04 | His life & Czech egg art | 55 min. |
Nyquist, John D. | 11/29/01 | Collins Radio, management | 70 min. |
Oxley, Helen | 08/07/02 | Lifelong resident Linn county/Marion | 68 min. |
Pennington, Art | 04/04/02 | Major League & M&J baseball player | 75 min. |
Pinney Assemblage | 8/26/03 | Assemblage in Hist. Center Gallery | 29 min. |
Pisarik, Raphael | 4/25/02 | Life long Mt. Vernon/Ivanhoe farmer | 107 min. |
Polehna, Milton | 04/06/04 | Early Andrew Polehna meat market bus. | 50 min. |
Politis, George | 7/17/03 | Wilson Meat Packing plant Supervisor | 43 min. |
Politis, Wilma “Cookie” | 7/24/03 | Wilson Meat Packing plant employee | 63 min. |
Quarton, William | 9/17/01 | Broadcaster | 104 min. |
Quarton, William | 10/16/03 | Broadcaster interviewed at age 100 yrs. | 65 min. |
Quinby, Bill | 8/15/02 | CR teacher,prin.,official NFL-Big 10 | 84 min. |
Rector, Jack | 4/15/02 | Collins Flight Control Engineer | 73 min. |
Reed, Cecil | 08/08/02 | CR black, bus. man, Legislature, writer | 101 min. |
Riley, Nancy | 9/29/05 | teacher, wife of Lawyer Tom Riley | 89 min. |
Riley, Tom | 6/16/05 | Lawyer, Author ,IA. Leg., Riley Law Firm | 81 min. |
Rutledge, Cheryl | 1/31/03 | Iowa Mfg., 46 yr. Employee | 61min |
Rutledge, Evelyn | 8/21/03 | Doll Collection | 62 min. |
Scheibel, Frank & Betty | 4/18/02 | CR born, Coe College, WW II Pilot | 76 min. |
Sedlacek, Dr. Richard | 04/07/04 | General Surgeon in Cedar Rapids | 50 min. |
Sessions, Chuck | 3/15/01 | WWII veteran, B-17 bomber pilot | 56 min. |
Sheronick, Jim | 10/27/05 | Lebanese emigrant, Prudential Life Ins. | 109min. |
Sheronick, Jim | 10/20/05 | Story of Lebanon father, emigrant 1895 | 59 min. |
Smith, Herald | 12/8/05 | Founder of C.R.S.T. trucking company | 62 min. |
Smith,Alice & Barry, Liz | 4/25/02 | Lifelong C.R. residents | 82 min. |
Stickling, Sister Anne M | 1/10/02 | Mercy Hosp. Xray Sup. & teacher | 78 min. |
Stoner, Jean (Minish) | 01/07/04 | Mt. Vernon area Stoner Farm Corp. | 72 min. |
Swartzentruber, Art | 9/13/02 | Founder of Vigertone Co. | 88 min |
Tanager Place | 6/12/11 | Reunion of childrens home | 80 min. |
Thompson, Donald | 05/02/02 | Linn Co. farmer & WWII veteran | 65 min. |
Tlusty, Wilfred | 08/08/02 | Lifelong CR resident & Hist.Volunteer | 82 min. |
Trimble, Thelma | 04/08/02 | Mother of local sports family | 80 min. |
Turechek, Alma | 6/7/01 | Coe Professor of music, born in 1901 | 71 min. |
Vigortone Barbershop | 9/13/02 | Local Barbershop Quartet | 59 min. |
Walters, Jack | 2/23/01 | Early aviation enthusiast | 60 min. |
Watson, Lenora Jelinek | 1/30/03 | Early C.R. Czech heritage Part-2 | 74 min. |
Watson, Lenora Jelinek | 1/29/03 | Early C.R. Czech heritage Part-1 | 85 min. |
Whipple, William (Bill) | 4/5/01 | CR born, General Ins. Business | 50 min. |
Williams, Don | 2/22/01 | Hunter airport employee | 35 min. |
Wilson, Mike | 6/7/01 | Early aviator, CR motorcycle dealer | 60 min. |
Wolrab, Mary | 01/08/02 | Wayside Farm south of Mt. Vernon | 74 min. |
Wray, Robert | 4/26/01 | WWII Vet., Pilot for Howard Hall | 117 min. |
Yaw, Bob | 10/18/01 | CR born, Pres. Souvenir Pencil Co. | 118 min. |
Zazza, Jack | 8/25/04 | Plumbing/Heat.&Hotel Sheraton(Clarion) | 64min. |
Zlatohlavek, Mana-sister | 4/17/04 | Early Czech immigrants to Cedar Rapids | 64 min. |
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