Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Dating Nancy Twice
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Early life through his experiences at the Heritage House in the 1980s
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Life and career as a restrainer after the 1980s, and Le Peep Restaurant
Photos
Caption:
Earl, Delbert, Gilson (Dad) with Don and Wayne in front, circa 1940.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
1940
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Earl, Delbert, Don, Wayne with one of their calves outside their home in Rochester.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
circa 1940-41
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Wayne, Don, Delbert and Earl Taft proudly show off their calves at the 1940 Illinois State Fair.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1940
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
The Taft Dairy in Rochester
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
circa 1940
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Photo of the Taft Dairy’s “White Gold in Cookery” label.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
circa 1940
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
The seal on a Taft Dairy milk bottle, part of nephew Steven Taft’s collection of milk bottles and caps.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
circa 1940
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Taft’s glass milk bottle, from the 1950s. Don’s nephew Steven Taft collects milk bottles.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
circa 1940
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Another milk bottle from Steven Taft’s collection, with Taft’s distinctive blue label.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
1940
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Delbert, Gilson (father), Don and Wayne Taft gathered for a photo in Rochester in the 1950s.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
1950's
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Don Taft’s senior photo in his 1950 Rochester High School yearbook.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
1950's
Ownership:
This image is considered in the public domain.
Caption:
Don played on the Rochester High School basketball team. The photo is from his 1950 yearbook.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
1950
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption:
Don, Les Collins, Gilson (the brothers’ father), Delbert, Mom and Wayne were on hand in 1959 for the grand opening of Taft Dairy.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
1959
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Taft’s Drive-in Dairy at 2300 East Cook Street in Springfield.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1959
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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Caption:
An interior shot of Taft’s Drive-in Dairy, circa 1959.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
1940
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
|
Caption:
Don flew his Beechcraft Bonanza V-35-J over the Illinois state capitol.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1985
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Don Taft relaxes in Springfield, Illinois restaurant, Le Peep’s.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
November 7, 2019
Ownership:
ALPL Oral History Program photo
Caption:
The Steve Taft residence in Rochester is all lit up for Christmas in 2019. The home was built by Don’s grandfather in the 1880s.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
2019
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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Caption:
Don and Nancy Taft at Le Peep’s Restaurant in Springfield, Illinois.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
January 5, 2020.
Ownership:
ALPL Oral History Program photo
|
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Caption:
A model of a Taft’s Dairy truck.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
circa 1940-41
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo