Ask Peoria Station 2-27-19
Time for more Transportation Q & A!
Feel free to post your questions in the comments section on any transportation topic. If I don't have an answer, I'll find one.
Feel free to post your questions in the comments section on any transportation topic. If I don't have an answer, I'll find one.
I'm working on another "PIA - A History" post. This one will likely cover two years, 1993-1994. Expect it in the near future.
- David P. Jordan
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if you might know where I can find more information/history regarding the Lamarsh No 1 Mine (southwest of Bartonville) and the rail line that served it until I believe the early 1950s? The current addition of the Directory of Coal Mines in Illinois published by the Illinois State Geological Society has a page on it, which is interesting, but very cursory. I've also been able to identify it on the readily-available Illinois aerial photos taken in the 1930s. However, I've not been able to find anything else thus far.
I developed an interest in the mine as a youngster, having attended the YMCA day camp that was established on the mine site years after its closure. This was in the mid-1970s, and there was still evidence of the old operation to be found. It was known as Raccoon Lakes Day Camp at the time; the camp closed sometime thereafter, possibly for liability reasons, and last I heard, the PPD uses it as a training area, not open to the public.
Any thoughts would be most appreciated!
-Greg
I've uncovered substantial history on this mine while engaging in newspaper research (currently 1926 to mid-June 1934, and ths last six years of operation. 1945-1951). After I get home tonight, I'll provide some online information and some history from my notes.
DeleteExcellent - I'll be very interested to hear more. I should say one other tidbit of info I uncovered was on a 1929 USGS map. It clearly shows the rail line serving the mine (apparently connecting with the TP&W at Orchard Mines) labeled with the initials, "P H C AND W." Just a guess that the C&W stands for Crescent and Western, but no amount of googling has uncovered any information based on that abbreviation/reporting mark.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks,
Greg
Peoria, Hanna City & Western RR was built to serve the mines in 1919 and connected with the Peoria Railway Terminal. It was acquired by PRT successor Peoria Terminal Company, a subsidiary of the Rock Island RR, in 1927. The last mine closed in 1951 and the old PPH&W was abandoned save for a mile mostly south of Rt. 9 that the TP&W acquired in 1952. The Keokuk Junction Railway has been owner of this remnant since 2005.
DeleteAh, thanks - I'd heard of the Peoria, Hanna City & Western but didn't "connect the dots." I'm curious as to your newspaper sources, David....is it an on-line database you're able to access?
DeleteUnfortunately, it us necessary to slog through microfilm at the downtown library. Some days it is worth the time, and other days...
DeleteThis directory for coal mines in Peoria County lists four coal mines that were located in the LaMarsh area southwest of Bartonville.
ReplyDeleteLaMarsh Mine No. 1 was operated by Crescent Mining Co. in 1922-1943 and Rock Island Improvement Co. in 1943-1951.
LaMarsh Mine No. 2 was operated by Crescent Mining Co. in 1923-1940.
LaMarsh Mine No. 5 was operated by Newsam Brothers Coal Co. (as Newsam Mine No. 5) in 1919-1923 and by Crescent Coal Co. in 1923-1930.
LaMarsh Mine No. 6 was operated by Newsam Brothers Coal Co. (as Newsam Mine No. 6) in 1922-1923. Crescent Mining Co. operated it in 1923-1940.
http://isgs.illinois.edu/sites/isgs/files/maps/coal-maps/mines-series/mines-directories/pdf-files/mines-directory-peoria.pdf
Crescent Mining Co. was a subsidiary of Bell & Zoller Coal Co.
The Peoria, Hanna City & Western Railway maintained a connection with the Peoria Railway Terminal, an interurban freight and passenger railroad which operated between Peoria and Pekin. The PRT was jointly owned by the Chicago & Alton Railroad and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific RR. The C&A entered bankruptcy in 1922 and PRT followed in 1924. Electric passenger service was discontinued at the end of August that year. On May 1, 1927 PRT's main track from Western Avenue (south edge of Peoria) to Pekin was acquired by a newly formed subsidiary of the Rock Island called the Peoria Terminal Company.
ReplyDeleteThe Rock Island purchased for its Illinois and Iowa locomotives about 1 million tons of coal annually from the LaMarsh mines, so PTCo's connection to the PHC&W was an important one. Purchases were planned to increase significantly in 1927.
An October 3, 1927 Peoria Evening Star article indicates that all four mines had just reopened after a six month United Mine Workers strike. Installation of loading machinery, which would reduce the number of men employed at Mine No. 1, caused a "wildcat" strike, temporarily closing the mine for a week in June 1928.
At least one newspaper account (Peoria Evening Star January 21, 1930) notes that the Rock Island was purchasing the equivalent of 100 cars daily from the LaMarsh mines. It appears that continuing labor trouble, however, forced the railroad to purchase coal from other mines in the Springfield District. All four mines closed January 14, 1930 due to a strike. Three of the four mines reopened May 20. No. 5 closed permanently.
On November 28, 1930, the Interstate Commerce Commission granted Peoria Terminal Company permission to acquire the PHC&W. The Rock Island had entered into a nine-year contract with Crescent Mining Co. to acquire 1.4 million tons of coal annually so gaining direct access to the mines through its subsidiary insured against increased freight rates imposed by the ICC.
LaMarsh Mine No. 6 closed March 1, 1931 to installed a conveyor system (imported from the UK) which eliminated mine hoists, converted it from a shaft to a slope mine and increased daily production from 2,200 tons to 4,000. The mine reopened May 13 but closed again July 31 (notes are unclear if due to labor issues or the effects of the Great Depression). It reopened September 16. Mine No. 1 closed around this time.
Crescent Mining Co's contract with UMW expired March 31, 1932 and the LaMarsh mines closed the next day. The No. 6 mine reopened August 15 only to close again the next day. The company kept mines open for those willing to work (labor dispute centered on wage scale). The Rock Island had ordered 2,000 tons daily but was forced to secure coal from other sources. No. 6 reopened October 10 though workers had to deal with pickets from a rival union. No. 1 mine apparently reopened in December 1932.
The economic decline begun in late 1929 bottomed out in early 1933. As the economy began growing again, demand for coal increased. The Peoria Evening Star reported that the No. 1 and 6 mines employed 800 men and had increased the work week from 3.5 days to 4 and had prospects for 5 or 6.
Mine Nos. 2 and 6 closed in 1940 (the latter may have actually closed in 1939). The Rock Island RR (through subsidiary Rock Island Improvement Co.) acquired Mine No. 1 in 1943 and operated it until 1951. Remaining coal had become too hard and the railroad was dieselizing anyway. Mine No. 1 closed June 26, 1950. Other customers were declining with increased use of fuel oil and natural gas.
In December 1951, Peoria Terminal Company filed to abandon 3.6 miles of the old Peoria, Hanna City & Western. The TP&W bought 6,950 feet in July 1952 for use as a passing siding.
The Peoria Terminal Company operate mine shuttle trains (save for strike shutdowns) between Peoria and the LaMarsh Mines as late as 1933. On February 20, 1929 one of these trains derailed south of Bartonville, killing five and injuring 30.
Wow, David, you're a gold mine of information. This is very helpful. Seems like the story of this and other mines in the area would be good fodder for a book - so far, I've not found one on the topic. I don't suppose you've seen any photos of Mine No. 1 in your research (?)
DeleteNo. 1 closed June 26, 1951...1950 is a typo. Can't correct until I get home.
DeleteThere were some photos accompanying some of these articles. I'll have to dig some out. I don't know of a book that covers the LaMarsh Mines.
DeleteMany thanks - any photos would certainly be intriguing. As to other sources of info, makes one wonder if the company/corporate records still exist somewhere.
ReplyDelete