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For
those of you, who are interested in the local history, you may be amazed at
the importance that COAL played in the development of this community.
Braidwood was the center of the coal mining industry in the late 1860's
into the 1900's. Prior to the discovery of coal in 1864, the area now
known as Braidwood was the sight of a few marginal farms. The coal
discovery first attracted individuals, then the well-financed companies -
the Wilmington and Vermilion Coal Company, and the Eureka Mining Company
- which developed the community initially. The names of these companies
and their leaders are now carried on the streets and the plat books of
the initial subdivisions. The community's namesake, James Braidwood, was
an expert in coal mining, and was involved in the sinking and developing
of the first mines. A native of Scotland,
he was joined by miners from many countries: Canada,
England, Ireland, Scotland,
Wales, Belgium, France,
Italy, Germany, Austria,
Poland and Bohemia. Braidwood
became known as a "melting pot" of nationalities.
The State legislature passed a law in 1872 which enabled small
communities of at least 2,000 population to
become "Cities". The incorporation of Braidwood occurred in
1873. The first Mayor and Aldermen were elected in the same year, led by
L. H. Goodrich as Mayor, and Aldermen E. W. Felton, David Paden, William
Jack, B. F. Sweet, John Cox, and B. W. Reese.
Mining was the primary industry until the 1950s, by which time the demand
for coal had declined. Newer, larger mines elsewhere responded to the
demand, and Braidwood residents found employment with these mines or in
the service sector of the economy.
Coal was first discovered in this area in 1864, at a location, on what is
now the Southwest corner of Coal
City and Novy Roads. You can still see a small hilly area in
the farm field. Strip mining began in the early 1900's and lasted until
1970. The strip mined areas became recreational areas, such as the
Braidwood Recreation Club, Shadow
Lakes, North Wilmington Club, Braidwood Station Cooling
Lake, and other
nearby areas. Gigantic coal shovels were used in the strip mining
locations. Our photo gallery shows many of the mine locations and the
equipment used to remove the coal. The Fossil Ridge Library has several
books on the history of Braidwood and the mining industry, notably
"The Braidwood Story" and "Black Diamond Mines". The Coal City Library's website features
additional history on Braidwood and the coal mining days. You will find a
link to the Coal
City Library
website at the bottom of this page.
We have identified 39 Deep Shaft Mines in or near, the City of Braidwood, dating
from 1864 to 1928. Their approximate locations are shown in an overlay of
the Braidwood city street map, as shown below.
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