Great River Road, 2016

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.

  • Collection: Madison County Oral Histories
Thumbnail Title Description Date Date Added
Tiffany Rogers Oral History Interview This interview with Nurse Tiffany Rogers explains the power that family exerts on its inhabitants to remain, especially despite the decline of local retail presence. October 26, 2023 November 20, 2023
Tom Pile Oral History Interview In this oral history interview, Tom Pile discusses his career as the head baseball coach at Edwardsville High School and details how the baseball team became one of the most successful in the country. He describes the various awards that he won over his career, as well as the impact that coaching has had on his life. July 11, 2017 February 2, 2018
Valorie Childers Oral History Interview Valorie Childers describes her experiences of living in West Alton during the Flood of 1993. She also describes the circumstances surrounding the levee’s break, as well as the hardships faced for those flood survivors and their attempts to rebuild. She briefly discusses the involvement of the Red Cross and the Army Corp of Engineers during the flood. December 11, 2016 February 14, 2017
Wendell and Barb McAfoos Oral History Interview Wendell and Barb McAfoos were born and raised in Alton, Illinois. In this interview, they describe their lives in the Alton area through the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Topics covered include school life, cars, school socials, daily challenges and everyday life in rural Illinois, segregation of public spaces, desegregation of the Alton schools, toys and games kids played, their founding of the health club “Metro Sports,” and the history of industry in the Alton area. November 16, 2018 February 15, 2019
William (Bill) Haine Oral History Interview In this oral history interview, State Senator William (Bill) Haine discusses his childhood in Alton, Illinois, his career in the law, and his time as an Illinois state senator. May 4, 2018 July 27, 2018
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