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
	Charles Jackson Oral History Interview	In this oral history, Charles Jackson discusses his family's involvement with the Western Military Academy in Alton. He describes his experience of attending a military high school, as well as how the military academy prepped its cadets for careers in the service. He describes why the military academy was shut down, and later his career as an educator for Triad High School.	July 16, 2017	February 2, 2018
	Ed Hightower Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Ed Hightower describes growing up as an African American in the South. He details the adversity he faced throughout his career in education, often being the only African American administrator within the district. He highlights his achievements at the Edwardsville superintendent and discusses his involvement with the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities.	September 28, 2017	January 10, 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
	John Elliff Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, John Elliff describes living in Glen Carbon and his role in helping to plan the surrounding housing developments. He speaks to the rivalries between Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, as well as the various festivals in Glen Carbon.	July 13, 2017	October 9, 2017
	Mike Picchioldi Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Mike Picchioldi describes his experiences as a firefighter in Maryville and Edwardsville. He highlights his involvement with the Maryville historical society and his role in helping to preserve its history. He highlights the histories of Chinatown, the Donk Brothers Mine, the Homecoming Parade, as well as his grandparents mercantile business.	July 10, 2017	October 9, 2017
	Bob Daiber Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Bob Daiber describes his experience as a teacher and the transition to becoming the Superintendent of Schools in Madison County. He also discusses the evolving technology in education settings and growing up in Marine, as well as his run for governor of Illinois in the 2018 election.	July 11, 2017	September 26, 2017
	Bob Gibson Oral History Interview	An oral history interview with Robert "Bob" Gibson, an expert on mine subsidence. Gibson describes his career with the Illinois and federal governments working on abandoned mine lands projects. He also describes several notable cases of mine subsidence from old coal mines in Madison County.	March 11, 2017	June 14, 2017
	Edward Hall Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Ed Hall describes his career as a butcher and former manager / owner at Edwardsville Quality Meats. He speaks to the changes of downtown Edwardsville, the butcher shop, and the 2017 shift in ownership of Quality Meats.	April 19, 2017	May 3, 2017
	Percy Heuer Oral History Interview	In this oral history, Percy Heuer describes his life in Dorsey as a farmer and worker for the Illinois Department of Transportation. He discusses many experiences in Dorsey from the early 20th century to the 1980s. He also discusses some family history.	August 23, 1988	April 25, 2017
	Paul Brazier Oral History Interview	In this oral history, Paul Brazier describes bicycling and bike culture in Madison County from the late-1970s to the mid-1990s. Brazier discusses recreational, BMX, mountain bike, and road cycling, as well as cycling before the Madison County trail system.	February 8, 2017	March 17, 2017