Fall 2001 Granite City Oral History Interviews (43 total)

These oral histories were conducted for the History 447: Approaches to Oral History course taught by Anne Valk in the fall 2001 semester at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The majority of the interviews are with residents of Granite City, many of them residents of the Lincoln Place immigrant community.

Thumbnail	Title	Description	Date	Date Added
	Andrew Hagopian Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Andrew Hagopian was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Andrew Hagopian was born in 1923 to immigrant parents from Armenia. In this interview, he talks about his family history, his experience on the 1940 Granite City basketball state champion team, the diversity of the Lincon Place community, and his activism in lobbying the United States government to recognize the Armenian Genocide.	November 21, 2001	March 4, 2018
	Linda Garcia Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Linda Garcia was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History Though Linda Garcia was born in St. Louis, she only lived there for three years and spent the rest of her life in Lincoln Place. In this interview, she describes her childhood, the diversity of the community, the different jobs her and her sisters had to do to help her widowed mom, her Mexican heritage, and religious experiences.	October 31, 2001	March 4, 2018
	Edward Fetzer Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Edward Fetzer was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Edward J.F. Fetzer, Jr. was born on April 21, 1921. This interview focuses on his experience as a B-26 “Marauder” in World War II. The interview also includes other phases of his life, such as growing up on a farm in Illinois, moving to California to work in commercial aviation and then joining the air service in September of 1941, completing military training, and flying 75 bombing missions in occupied western Europe. He mentions his insurance career in the Midwest until his retirement in 1985 followed by retirement living in northern Wisconsin.	October 6, 2001	March 4, 2018
	Nazareth Donjoian Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Nazareth Donjoian was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Naz, as he is better known by, was bom November 22, 1924. His father was a chef and ran a tavern and boarding house for many years. Naz also owned and ran a tavern for a number of years. While in high school, Naz got a job at the U.S. Army depot just down the street and worked there for part of his senior year. After graduation, he worked there a short period of time at the depot before being drafted, he entered the U.S. Army in June 1943 and was assigned to the U.S. Army Air Corps. He received training as a airplane and engine mechanic and spent a total of32 months in the military. The war ended before he was shipped overseas and upon discharge he returned to Granite City. He had return rights to his former job at the depot. After being home for two weeks and listening to his dad constantly asking him when he was going to get a job, Naz returned to work a the depot. He held a number of jobs and over the years suffered a number of Reduction In Force (RIF) realignments of personnel. However, after each RIF he was fortunate enough to move up in pay grade and after forty two years of combined military and civilian service, retired as a GS-12.	November 3, 2001	February 20, 2018
	Richard and Susan Depigian Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Richard and Susan Depigian was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Richard and Susan Depigian discuss life in Lincoln Place and their Armenian heritage. They share information about the customs and traditions, as well as the “clans” that developed out of, their heritage. The ethnic diversity of Lincoln Place is addressed. Both Richard and Susan discuss their parents experienced during the Armenian genocide.	November 17, 2001	February 20, 2018
	Carmen Cook Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Carmen Cook was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Carmen Cook was born at Lincoln Place in 1943, where she spent most of her life, to Mexican immigrant parents. In this interview, she talks about her childhood and life, the ethnic diversity of the community, the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, the legacy of Ruben Mendoza (the Olympic soccer player), and the scholarship that was set-up in the name of Joe Gonzalez.	November 18, 2001	February 20, 2018
	Millie Chandler Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Millie Chandler was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Millie Chandler was born and raised in Lincoln Place until she moved in 1951. In this interview, she describes her childhood, the diversity of the community, playing music in the community center, and how she felt outside communities viewed those that resided within Lincoln Place.	October 29, 2001	February 20, 2018
	Mary Bogosian Carson Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Mary Bogosian Carson was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Mary Carson was raised in Lincoln Place where she spent most of her life. In this interview, she talks about her childhood, the diversity of Lincoln Place, the “Clubhouse” where kids would spend their time, and the 1940s basketball championship team.	November 10, 2001	February 20, 2018
	Nelle Bogosian Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Nelle Bogosian was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Nelle Bogosian was born to Armenian parents and spent most of her life in Lincoln Place. In this interview, she talks about her parent’s escape from the Armenian Genocide and lack of US recognition for the event, her schooling and social experiences in Lincoln Place, the community center, pool hall, and different cultural celebrations within the Lincoln Place community.	November 1, 2001	February 20, 2018
	Mary Asadorian Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Mary Kambarian Asadorian was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Mary Asadorian was born and raised in Lincoln Place, where she spent her life. In this interview, she talks about her childhood, the role of the Armenian Orthodox Church, the diversity of Lincoln Place, the community center, and her family heritage.	October 27, 2001	February 18, 2018