Madison County Oral Histories (68 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
	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
	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
	Gary Niebur Oral History Interview	Gary Niebur is a lifelong resident of Edwardsville and was the Mayor for seven terms. In this interview, he talks about the development and growth of Edwardsville from the 1980s through the 2000s. Along with the economic growth, Niebur explains the challenges he faced as Mayor concerning residential, infrastructure, and property taxes.	January 10, 2018	May 7, 2018
	Greg Kessler Oral History Interview	This interview, with Madison County musician and historian of the local music scene, Greg Kessler, discusses the alternative music scene in Madison County and St. Louis during the 1980s.	November 3, 2021	November 22, 2021
	Hal Patton Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Hal Patton describes growing up in Edwardsville as a young boy. He details his educational path and the challenges and success he has encountered through his career as a dentist and local politician. He talks about his time as a city alderman as well as his time as the mayor of Edwardsville. He explores the success of the community of Edwardsville and how he has helped aid in that process.	February 27, 2018	April 17, 2018
	Herman Shaw Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Herman Shaw describes his experiences with segregation and racial adversity throughout his life, both in his community and throughout his travels. He describes his experience as a young boy growing up in Missouri during the Great Depression and World War II. He then discusses his life after moving to Edwardsville in 1944 and how things have changed in that community over time. He describes how his education, his participation in sports, his service in the military, and key people in his life have influenced him. He also discusses his work at the Alton State Hospital, at University City High School, and his volunteer work with the Human Relations Commission in Edwardsville.	February 12, 2018	April 18, 2018
	Jack Daugherty Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Jack Daugherty discusses his experience as a competitive cyclist in the St. Louis Metro-East area.	July 12, 2018	September 15, 2018
	Jeffrey Halcom Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Jeffrey Halcom describes growing up and attending Edwardsville Schools. He details his family's farm work and his later career with Granite City Steel. He discusses the various technological changes in farming and the steel industry. He also talks about the Bethalto Homecoming celebrations.	July 11, 2017	October 9, 2017
	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
	Jim Pennekamp Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Jim Pennekamp describes his role in various economic development organizations in the St. Louis metro area and Madison County, including the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association, the Tri-Cities Area Chamber of Commerce (now called Southwest Madison County Chamber of Commerce), the Greater Alton Twin Rivers Growth Association (now called the Riverbend Growth Association), and University Park at SIUE. He also describes growing up in New Jersey and Brussels, Belgium, his participation in the anti-Vietnam War movement in the 1960s and 70s, and his early career as a deputy juvenile officer in Jefferson County. He also reflects on changes in Madison County and the broader region in the second half of the twentieth century, particularly related to globalization and the transition from an industrial to a service-based economy.	October 24, 2018	February 15, 2019