Coal once played an important role in Collinsville. Indeed, the family of Alexander (“General”) Bradley lived here before they moved to Mt. Olive. The importance and productivity of coal mining in Collinsville is evidenced by the Miner’s Institute building (below), constructed in 1918 at the height of the city’s coal economy. Above the entryway on the right side is a relief in profile of two coal miners shaking hands. Two local miners, Matt Pigford and Alfred Bailey, posed for the image. There also is a “wall of honor” recognizing  those who worked in the local coal mines. Today the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

“The Miner’s Institute Building was built in 1918 by the local coal mining unions, as a labor temple. The keystone was laid by the Kitch Architectural firm on October 12, 1917. [PROJECT NOTE: October 12 would have been the twentieth anniversary of the Battle of Virden, a date that already was being celebrated in coal towns. The date for laying the keystone was surely significant] Each miner donated 1% of his salary for one year to the construction of the building. Total construction costs were bout $90,000, in comparison a three-bedroom home at the time was $3,000-$4,000. The building was utilized by the unions as a ‘home away from home.’ Meetings, entertainment, dances, relaxation and a place to bring their families, this was the place you came to be with your friends and co-workers. In fact, the Miner’s shut down one other theatre and an opera house in town, because other unions would only support the Miner’s.” [source: minerstheatre.com]