minewar.org documenting the 1930's Illinois Mine War
“It Was A Night To Remember.”
The Colonial Theater in Gillespie, IL was often used as a community meeting hall when large numbers needed to assemble. During the UMWA strike in the spring of 1932, UMWA District 12 President, John Walker came to Gillespie to argue for the wage reductions supported by John L. Lewis and the mine owners. Western Illinois […]
Superior #4 ~ Wilsonville
Here’s a photo of Superior #4 in Wilsonville, IL. This was the site of the famous Wilsonville Sitdown Strike. Click here to learn more about the strike and to see a contemporary photo of the site. Photo provided courtesy of Wayne Hinton
Superior #4 ~ Wilsonville
Here’s a photo of Superior #4 in Wilsonville, IL. This was the site of the famous Wilsonville Sitdown Strike. Click here to learn more about the strike and to see a contemporary photo of the site. (photo courtesy of Wayne Hinton)
Hand Crafted From Coal
John L. Lewis, President of the United Mine Workers of America from 1920 – 1960 is still revered among many retired coal miners. This Lewis bust was sculpted from a lump of coal by Mid-West Crafts in Pikeville, KY. It was provided courtesy of the Christian County Coal Mine Museum.
Yesterday and Today
Two views of the Staunton Labor Temple.The first was taken in the early 1930’s and the other photograph was made this spring. Nice to see a labor hub regarded as postcard-worthy in its day. At the same time, it’s difficult to see that happening today. Staunton was also the launching point for the Mulkeytown March. […]
Mill Shadows: “Organize our strength as a working class.”
Initially, an important part of the Progressive Miners’ program was to raise the class consciousness of its members and the broader community. Tom Tippett, formally of the Brookwood Labor College was hired to head the PMA’s first Education Department. In a letter to the membership and auxiliaries Tippet wrote; “Our notion of an education activity […]