Coal Mines on the Prairie: The Life of an American Community

Rauzi, Harold R.

ISBN 10: 1099392187 / ISBN 13: 9781099392184

Published by Independently published, 2019

About this Item

288 pages. 9.00x6.00x0.72 inches. In Stock.

Seller Inventory # zk1099392187

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Coal Mines on the Prairie: The Life of an American Community
• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication Date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1099392187
• ISBN 13: 9781099392184
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Brand New

About this title

Synopsis

Coal Mines on the Prairie: The Life of an American Community is the history of a central-Illinois coal-mining community, ten neighboring small towns in Macoupin County, all linked, for more than a century and a quarter, to coal mining. The coal mining boom of 1900-1940 brought a wave of immigrants from all corners of Europe to what had been three small farming villages of native born, primarily of English or German descent. This community was the center of the short-lived but fierce rivalry between the United Mine Workers and Progressive Mine Workers unions.But, coal mining is not the whole story. It includes the Indians who hunted this land, the French who explored it, and the early settlers who struggled against nature to break and farm the prairie. Today family farms, including century farms, surround the ten towns. From the Civil War to the Global War on Terror, residents of this community have answered the nation’s call; this is their story, too. Storied Route 66, the “Big Four” railroad (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis R.R.), and the Illinois Traction System interurban crossed paths here. So, too, did bootleggers and big bands. All these, and more, are the story of Coal Mines on the Prairie.