Madison County Oral Histories (66 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
	Mary Kane Oral History	In this oral history interview, Mary Kane discusses her role with the Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Commission. In particular, she describes the establishment of the Missouri-Illinois regional partnership in the 1970s to create interstate public transportation in the St. Louis metro region.	April 18, 2018	September 13, 2018
	Mike McNamara Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Mike McNamara describes his life and career in Alton. McNamara describes his childhood and school years. He then goes into detail about his career with the Alton police department, including his promotions through the ranks and various high-profile crimes in Alton. McNamara also talks about his experience owning rental properties in Alton and reflects on how Alton changed over time.	October 11, 2018	December 6, 2018
	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
	Morgan Scroggins Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview Morgan Scroggins describes his career as a defense attorney and public defender in Madison County, Illinois. Scroggins describes how he chose a career in the law due to his father, his time as a student at SIUE, law school at SIU Carbondale, and his thoughts on Madison County's legal system.	June 15, 2025	September 10, 2025
	Norma Glazebrook Oral History Interview	In this oral history, Norma Galzebrook of Alton, Illinois discusses her childhood from the 1940s in Godfrey, Illinois and her early baton twirling career. She mentions seeing Robert Wadlow in her youth as well as her days at the Alton Telegraph during the 1950s. Also discussed is the creation Glazebrook Park, established in honor of her late husband, as well as her extensive work with the St. Louis chapter of the Make-A-Wish foundation.	December 2, 2018	February 15, 2019
	Pat Childers Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Pat Childers describes her experiences during the Great Flood of 1993 while living in West Alton, Missouri. Following the flood, she and her family moved to Collinsville, Illinois, which she describes. She also discusses growing up on a farm in Southern Missouri.	December 11, 2016	February 7, 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
	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
	Phil Smith Oral History Interview	In this oral history interview, Phil Smith describes growing up in Venice, Illinois, in the 1950s-1970s. He discusses organized crime and gambling in the city, the Democratic Party, and the police. He also describes his career as an educator and changes in the schools over time, including changes that accompanied racial integration in Venice and Madison. Finally, Smith describes his work with the Venice Historical Society and efforts to preserve the city's history and traditions.	October 18, 2016	February 3, 2017
	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