Madison County Oral Histories (63 total)

These oral history interviews were conducted by interviewers associated with Madison Historical and touch on various topics in Madison County history. These topics vary by interviewee.

Thumbnail	Title	Description	Date	Date Added
	William Iseminger Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, William (Bill) Iseminger, the assistant manager of Cahokia Mounds State Historic site, describes his career at the site and the broader history of the site in the 20th century. He also describes the archaeology work and its discoveries at the site.	September 27, 2018	February 12, 2019
	Carol and John Fritsche Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, John and Carol Fritche describe growing up in Edwardsville, Illinois, in the middle of the twentieth century. They discuss attending Leclaire Academy and living in one of the first homes on Dunlap Lake. The interview continues to discuss Edwardsville’s growth and the relationship between SIUE and the city of Edwardsville. Finally, John discusses his career with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).	September 4, 2018	January 28, 2019
	Jim Baima Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Jim Baima discusses growing up in Collinsville as the son of Italian immigrants, his father's job as a coal miner, the Italian-American community in Collinsville, and studying at SIUE.	October 10, 2018	January 24, 2019
	Philip Rarick Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Philip Rarick discusses growing up in Collinsville, his father’s role in local party politics of the Democratic Party, the development of the Madison County judicial system since the 1970s, and his time on the Supreme Court of Illinois.	September 19, 2018	January 23, 2019
	Ralph Korte Oral History	In this oral history interview, Ralph Korte, founder of Korte Construction in Highland, Illinois, discusses his life and business. Korte described growing up on a farm near Pierron, Illinois, and his early years of school. He describes life on the farm during the Great Depression and World War II. Korte then discusses his time in the Army during the Korean War and attending night school at SIUE. Next Korte describes the founding of Korte Construction and its early years of growth in Highland and throughout the Metro East.	October 22, 2018	December 19, 2018
	Elizabeth Christian Oral History Interview	In this interview, Elizabeth Christian discusses her childhood in Collinsville, Illinois, during the 1970s and 1980s. Elizabeth discusses her time at Metro East Lutheran High School, comparisons between cities in Madison County, and her career at SIUE during the 1980s. Elizabeth also talks about race relations and demographics in the county.	October 24, 2018	December 11, 2018
	Carrie Davini Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Carrie Davini discusses her career as a tattoo artist and business manager at Evermore Gallery on Edwardsville's Main Street. Carrie covers her childhood in northern Illinois, moving to the St. Louis area, various tattoo businesses she has worked for, and her role at Evermore Gallery. Carrie also talks about being a woman in an industry dominated by men and being a small-business operator in Edwardsville.	October 11, 2018	December 11, 2018
	Kevin Hale Oral History Interview	Kevin Hale is a longtime employee of Olin Brass in East Alton, Illinois. In this oral history interview, Kevin discusses his childhood in East Alton, including Olin's influence on his family and the city. Kevin also discusses his time serving in the United States Marine Corps. Much of the interview concerns details of operations at Olin Brass and how the company's operations have changed over time, such as the increasing use of computers.	October 6, 2018	December 10, 2018
	Gale Cuvar Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Gale Cuvar describes his career as a pattern-maker and life in Granite City. Cuvar discusses his career at Arnette Pattern in Granite City and Bodine Aluminum in St. Louis. Cuvar also talks about how Granite City has changed over time and briefly mentions his time in the Army.	December 10, 2018	December 8, 2018
	Beth Warnecke Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Beth Warnecke discusses growing up in Glen Carbon, having a father active in law and the Democratic Party, going to high school in Highland, working for the Cardinals and the Blues, and starting and managing her own art business: Classic Creations Painting.	October 7, 2018	December 6, 2018