Bluffs and Piasa Bird, 2016

Browse Items (10 total)

  • Tags: Venice
Thumbnail Title Description Date Date Added
Juan Gardner Oral History Interview This interview of Dr. Juan Gardner, Principal of Madison Senior High School, describes the role family plays in navigating educational and demographic shifts in Madison, Illinois since the 1950s. November 6, 2023 November 19, 2023
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
1986-87 Venice High School State Boy's Basketball Champions This is a photograph of the 1986-87 Venice High School Boy's Basketball team, which won the Illinois State Championship in Class A. The team narrowly defeated Okawville High School 56-54 in the state championship game held March 14, 1987 in Champaign, Illinois.

The members of the team were Daryl Buie, Jesse Hall, Vincent Harris, Daryl Jackson, Hosea King, Orlando Love, John Marchbanks, Dale Turner, Wilfred Wigfall, and Lionel Wiley. The team was coached by Clinton Harris.
1987 September 24, 2018
1922-23 Venice High School Basketball Team This photograph shows members of the 1922-23 Venice High School basketball team. At the time of this photograph, Venice schools were segregated, so all members of the basketball team were white.

From left to right:
Front row: Larue Baxter, Gus Rhemus, Austin Lewis, William Hormann

Back row: Marvin Dean, Frank Foley, unknown Coach, Lambert Fechte
November 1923 September 24, 2018
1943-44 Venice High School Basketball Team This photograph shows members of the 1943-44 Venice High School basketball team. The team was coached by John Warford and had a record of 8-16. Some of the members of the team went on to serve in World War II. At the time of this photograph, Venice schools were segregated, so all members of the basketball team were white.

From left to right:
Jim Reidelberger, Captain Jim Miller, Earl McCart, Bernard Scaturro, Harold Hackney

All but Jim Reidelberger were in the Class of '44; Riedelberger was in the Class of '45.
August 1946 September 24, 2018
1974-75 Venice High School State Boy's Basketball Champions This is a photograph of the 1974-75 Venice High School Boy's Basketball team, which won the Illinois State Championship in Class A. The team defeated Timothy Christian School 65-46 in the state championship game held March 11, 1975 in Champaign, Illinois.

From left to right:
On floor: Clark Ray, Lance Austin

Seated: Jeff Corrie, Mike Logan, Mike Henry, James Crowder, James Turner, Reggie Gardner

Standing: Assistant Coach Clarence Hand, Venice Govan, Tim Walker, Algie Crawford, Larrick Arnold, Rick Salmon, Head Coach Rich Essington
1975 September 21, 2018
Derek Mathis Oral History Interview In this interview, Derek Mathis describes his youth in Venice, Illinois, including his experiences with racism in the era of desegregation. He also discusses changes to Venice and the town of Madison in his adulthood. October 26, 2016 March 10, 2017
Resolution of Madison County Office of Education Renumerating Venice School District This school board resolution renumerates the Venice school district to Community Unit School District #3. July 1, 1957 February 28, 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
Bryan Mathis Oral History Interview In this oral history interview, Bryan Mathis describes his childhood in Venice, Illinois, and his experiences as an African-American man growing up in the area during the era of desegregation. He describes the various forms of bigotry and racism he's faced in the communities of Venice, Madison, Granite City, and St. Louis, as well as his feeling about the communities of Venice and Granite City today. He also discusses his work as a paperboy in Venice, what it was like growing up in the Venice housing projects, getting cut from the Venice High School Basketball team the year they won the State Championship (1975), and going to SIUE and the Mississippi River Festival in the late 70s. October 18, 2016 December 1, 2016