Illinois state geological survey county coal data and maps. The author of several encyclopedia articles and books, including the state of southern illinois. Our maps of known mines for each of these counties may help the public to identify mined areas. Why downstate fights for coal chicago magazine politics. By the mid 1800s, coal miners were at work throughout southern illinois. Coal mining in southern illinois raiders of the lost archives. It became important in the industrial revolution of the 19th and 20th centuries, when it was primarily used to power steam engines, heat buildings and generate electricity. Coal mining has a deep history in southern illinois. A special exhibit at southern illinois university carbondale special collection research center spotlights the valuable resource and those whose lives it has touched. Coal mining in southern illinois at various times throughout the history of illinois, coal has been king, particularly in southern illinois. In southern illinois, coal remains the rock on which the local economy is built. The southern part of the state is characterized by wooded hills, farms, underground coal mines, strip mines, and low marsh lands. History of mining in illinois in 1673, they observed and recorded coal outcrops along the illinois river.
Bruce cline, founder of the little egypt ghost society and author of history, mystery and hauntings of southern illinoispublished by, will also attend the signing at the buzz. The discovery of coal the first reference to coal being found in north america appeared in an article published in paris in 1672 by nicholas denys, appointed governor of eastern arcadia in 1637. Logan college, is a literary scholar and illinois historian who has been a college teacher, an editor, and a writer. Jun 15, 2016 thats compared to 10,000 illinois coal miners in the mid1980s and 50,000 in the 1930s. Compared to wood fuels, coal yields a higher amount of energy per mass and can often be obtained in. The history of coal mining goes back thousands of years. In two southern illinois towns only forty miles apart, explosions killed 111 men at the centralia no. Early days of coal mining in northern illinois illinois.
In this book, christian wright explores the complex history of the umwa and coal mining in the west. Russell, a retired director of college relations at john a. The first discovery of coal on the north american continent was made in illinois. Inspectors illinois coal mines 1882 1986 including directors of department of mines and minerals. Jackson county is a county located in the southern part of the state of illinois. However, it wasnt until the 1800s that the settlers first mined outcropped coal for blacksmithing and other domestic uses. Route 50 from salem south to cairo, he begins his book with the earliest geologic formations and follows southern illinoiss history into the twentyfirst. A historical look at coal mining in southern illinois history. Please follow the instructions below for using the viewer and linking to additional map products that contain more information. A history of the early coal mines of the illinois river valley bluemer, r. Potawatomi indians massacre fiftytwo troops and civilians in destroying fort dearborn. The south wales coalfield, 18981947 u of wales press, 1998. Jackson county, illinois coal mining history and genealogy.
We have published books about the negative effects of coal on our region as well as about the people involved. So retired history teacher kevin corley has stepped up to the plate with. The recent deaths of a dozen west virginia coal miners weigh heavy on many in the region and causes them to reflect on the hundreds of mining fatalities recorded here in southern illinois. After leaving wilmington, illinois on the mother road you enter what was once profitable coalmining country, where small towns and large coal mines dotted the area. The first coal mine in illinois is opened in jackson county. The coal industry killed my book history news network.
Southern illinois, she wrote, is coal country and that carbondale is. Jan 08, 2018 local 1825 may be out of work, but it still celebrates the history of illinois coal mining. Coal mining continues as an important economic activity today. Thats compared to 10,000 illinois coal miners in the mid1980s and 50,000 in the 1930s. Coal mining has a deep history in southern illinois news. Coal mining continues to make history in illinois as the industry intensifies its efforts. Memories of mining illinois periodicals online northern illinois. Farm security administration photographs, 19361943. History of coal mining towns braidwood, braceville, godley and gardner. I wrote about the history of coal and coal mining from its earliest days to. Carterville, established in 1871, has a rich history that includes a booming coal mining history, a focus on education and performing arts, wonderful businesses and characters that have always brought a charm to this small town.
The proximity of underground mines this study provides maps and statistics per county on the proximity of both coal and noncoal undergroundmined areas to urban development. Around the town of braidwood, a farmer struck coal while drilling a well for water. History of mining in illinois about mine subsidence. Farm country of southern illinois on route 66 legends of. Then the head of the illinois coal association was asked to. A special exhibit at southern illinois university carbondale special collection research center spotlights the valuable resource and those whose lives it. Local 1825 may be out of work, but it still celebrates the history of illinois coal mining. Several other rivers traverse its countryside, including the big and little muddy, little wabash, saline, and cache rivers.
Special collections research center scrc in morris library holds the work of c. The south wales coalfield, 1898 1947 u of wales press, 1998. The federal government pressured coal companies in appalachia to adhere to affirmative action, but very few companies hired more than a handful of women. Southern illinois is coal country, but we at siu press are neither pro nor anticoal. A look inside the coal communities in the illinois basin. Illinois mining industry news topics illinois media directory events. The mine wars lithuanians in springfield, illinois. Part of downstate illinois, the southern illinois region is bordered by the two most voluminous rivers in the united states.
Whereas wiecks book generally presents the viewpoint of southern illinois. Within the borders of america, illinois ranks fourth in coal production. However, in 1978, the coal employment project, an advocacy group for women, filed a lawsuit over sex discrimination in the hiring process. As a result, coal companies hired 830 women in 1978.
A historical look at coal mining in southern illinois. Jan 07, 2018 local 1825 may be out of work, but it still celebrates the history of illinois coal mining. An illustrated history shawnee books illinois state. The history of coal mining in the united states goes back to the 0s, when the hopi indians used coal. The first stop along this stretch of route 66 is braidwood, a town founded in 1865 when a rich vein of coal was discovered quite by accident. The book also includes a story of the 1912 tornado that struck near pershing, illinois. Focusing on the area known as egypt, the region south of u. People of coal town columbia university press, 1958. Doc horrell photo collection southern illinois university. Just four miles beyond staunton, route 66 travelers will arrive at the small village of livingston, illinois. Coal mining has a deep history in southern illinois state. In 1909, the worst mining disaster in the states history occurred at the cherry mine the st paul coal company established the mine in 1905 in the mining town of cherry.
Russell offers fresh interpretations of a number of important aspects of southern illinois history focusing on the area known as egypt, the region south of u. For some of these towns in southern illinois that have a coal mine, thats the only game in town, says gonet. Coal mining has a deep history in southern illinois state and. Southern illinois university press in carbondale was going to publish my book about an infamous massacre of strikebreakers in 1922. The accompanying coal mine directory for each county provides basic information about the coal mines. It operated until 1900 and produced 243,343 tons before the southern illinois coal mining and washing company took over renaming the mine the southern illinois no.
Students considering mining technology should be capable of working underground in a production environment in proximity to heavy equipment. Although prior to the 1860s, some mining was done in the region south of joliet, ill. May 24, 2019 in southern illinois, coal remains the rock on which the local economy is built. Coal has been mined in 76 counties in illinois and more than 7,400 coal mines have operated since commercial mining began in 1810. District 12 of the umw state of illinois had a strong democratic rankandfile tradition, according to carl oblingers book, divided kingdom. For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, the coalmining industry thrived in the states southern section, which sits atop a 400milelong coal and oilrich geological formation called the illinois basin. This old coal mining community got its start in 1905, but this small town is supported today by the numerous farms in the area. Miners and managers in the american coal industry university press of kentucky, 1985, conflict in the coal industry to the 1980s. History of coal mining in illinois extracted from a compilation of the reports of the mining industry of illinois from the earliest records to 1954 5. For some of these towns in southern illinois that have a. In a recent trip to former mining towns in illinois the state where coal was first discovered along what would become the ilinois river peter van agtmael took a portrait of an area not only at the centre of this debate, but is symbolic of the current political climate in the united states. The coal mining massacre america forgot the mountains of southern west virginia are riddled with coaland bullets child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908.
Russell offers fresh interpretations of a number of important aspects of southern illinois history. An illustrated history, he is the editor of southern illinois coal. The southern part of illinois has a unique cultural and regional history. This years earth day will mark the first time in history that renewable energy production of electricity has outpaced coalfired generation. The centralia and west frankfort mine disasters examines two of the most devastating coal mine disasters in united states history since 1928. At its peak in the 1920s, illinois mines employed approximately 100,000 workers and produced 100 million tons of coal annually. Although the owner of the mine originally agreed with the union to observe the strike, when the price of coal went up, he hired nonunion workers to produce and ship out coal, as he had high debt in startup costs.
History of carterville learn more about the wonderful history of this charming small town. History of coal mining in the united states wikipedia. Apr 25, 2017 the coal mining massacre america forgot the mountains of southern west virginia are riddled with coaland bullets child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908. The coal mines in ill inois viewer illustrates a general depiction of underground mining in the state and will help determine the proximity of coal mines and underground industrial mines to your home or business. Buy great books on illinois history from jon musgrave and. As evidence of coal s importance to the economy and culture of southern illinois in particular, the first mining union, the american miners association, began in west belleville in 1861. This course of study specializes in the many facets of coal mining. Retired coal miner charles baker of west frankfort has worked in the coal mines for over 30 years. Books and some articles relating to coal mining, especially historical.
Reckoning at eagle creek and millions of other books are available for amazon. Every year on april 1, it gets together to celebrate the victory of an 8hour workday. However, it wasnt until the civil war, when illinois railroads grew rapidly, that coal mining in southern illinois developed into a major industry. New madrid, missouri, earthquake, the largest in united states history, damages southern illinois recurs in 1812. A public information booklet circular 573, 2008, 3 mb pdf file. Since then, illinois has produced many generations of miners, and today, as a lack of opportunities clamps down on the region, it ensures that only an. By the late 1890s, the central illinois coal mines had been organized by the united mine workers. Southern illinois is coal country, but we at siu press are neither pro nor anti coal.
Corleys book pamphlet states, coal mine wars they were every bit. Killer tornado hits coal mining village tells the story of how the worlds largest tornado the tristate tornado of march 18, 1925 caused deaths, injuries and destruction in a rural coal mining village of caldwell, in franklin county, illinois, with firsthand accounts of survivors. County coal data and maps illinois state geological survey. A history of the early coal mines of the illinois river valley. Mining novel, new sequel take readers into illinois coal wars the. From 1975 until it closed in 1991 the mine was owned by the freemen united coal mining company. The herrin massacre took place on june 2122, 1922 in herrin, illinois, in a coal mining area during a nationwide strike by the united mineworkers of america umwa. Compared to wood fuels, coal yields a higher amount. The coal mining boom in the northern fields of illinois really dates from 1864. Land offices are opened at kaskaskia and shawneetown. Facts for homeowners circular 569, 20, 9 mb pdf file.
Coal mining towns along route 66 legends of america. Southern illinois also known as little egypt is the southern third of the state of illinois. Franklin county,illinois 18891996 directory of coal mines. The early years of mining coal were hard, dangerous, and did not pay the miners well. The book also includes a story of the 1912 tornado that.
Jan 16, 2017 bruce cline, founder of the little egypt ghost society and author of history, mystery and hauntings of southern illinoispublished by, will also attend the signing at the buzz. See more ideas about coal mining, southern illinois and coal miners. Mining technology is an associate in applied science degree for students who plan to work in an underground or surface coal mine. Coal mining is the best paying job in town, with experienced miners earning six figures a year. This region was mostly farmland when the village of livingston got its start in 1904.
Biggers excavates the history beneath the homestead at eagle creek where his. Illinois coal mining statistics coal production, coal mining productivity, coalmined acreage, and coal resources available for mining. Dec 21, 2011 coal mining in southern illinois at various times throughout the history of illinois, coal has been king, particularly in southern illinois. History of illinois coal mines waynes world of history. Work, community, and the mining wars in the central illinois coal fields during the great. Explore 100 years of southern illinois coal mining in these photos from our archives. History, mystery and hauntings of southern illinois pull straight from the case files. Southern illinois is bordered on three sides by the mississippi, ohio, and wabash rivers. Horrell operated a photographic studio in anna, illinois and was a key figure in the establishment of both southern illinois university carbondale siuc photographic services and the department of cinema and photography. A group of miners has just been brought up on the hoist in this 1915 photo at orient 1. Illinois state geological survey coal mines in illinois.
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