What are memorials? Why are they erected? By whom? When? Where are they placed? These are some of the key questions that scholars investigate about this widespread phenomenon. And these are questions of significant public concern and political and social partisanship in America today.
In 1916 Carl Sandburg, American poet and Illinois native son, wrote these words:
Do you know that all the great work of the world is done through me? I am the workingman…
We think Sandburg’s words are a fitting introduction to the great sacrifices that happened in Illinois coal mining communities downstate, various of which have memorials to the men who lost their lives in this industry, whether by labor violence or mine disasters. Other memorials may not refer to death but rather honor coal miners.
The 1912 Constitution of the United Mine Workers of America includes a “Burial Service” for fallen miners: CLICK. UMWA President Cecil Roberts explained this in the January-February 2025 issue of the United Mine Workers Journal: “The UMWA evergreen service is one of the sincerest tributes we can give to our fallen brothers and sisters after they have passed and provides comfort to their families. Coal miners have paid a tremendous debt to our country, and they should be honored with dignity upon their passing.” The laying of an evergreen wreath – as we see at the gravesite ceremonies today at the memorials of Mother Jones, General Bradley and the Battle of Virden martyrs in the Union Miners Cemetery on Miners Day and Labor Day – is not accompanied by a verbatim recitation of the 1912 Burial Service but is related to it.
Here we present and illustrate coal mining/coal miner memorials in Illinois, in alphabetical order of the towns where they are located:
Braidwood: CLICK HERE
Centralia: CLICK HERE
Cherry: CLICK HERE
Glen Carbon: CLICK HERE
Herrin: CLICK HERE
Marissa: CLICK HERE
Mt. Olive: CLICK HERE
Moweaqua: CLICK HERE
Pana: CLICK HERE
Panama: CLICK HERE
Royalton: CLICK HERE
Sesser: CLICK HERE
Springfield: CLICK HERE
Taylorville: CLICK HERE
Virden: CLICK HERE
West Frankfort: CLICK HERE
Westville: CLICK HERE
Zeigler: CLICK HERE
Towns that could have memorials but do not include Carterville and Christopher.