38 S. Oak Street
TEL: 217-820-1429

The museum has been created by local resident Mike Cross and is well deserving of a visit. Mr. Cross has put together didactic panels illustrating the breadth of Pana’s history. There are many historical photographs and documents. Included in the history told at the museum is Pana’s coal mining era.

The following text, complemented by historic photos, is quoted from the museum. It is a necessarily simplified version about Pana’s notorious coal strike:

“On April 1, 1898, miners in all four mines in Pana organized a strike which closed down all four mines in operation. By June, the coal mine operators announced plans to open the mines with non-union labor. Black workers in Alabama were approached by the Pana mine owners about the prospect of work in Illinois. They were not told, however, that they would be hired as strike breakers and that they would be walking into a powder keg. The mine owners’ plan was to use racial division to bring the law down on the Union Mine Workers Union in Pana. On August 24, 1898, the first black workers arrived at the Illinois Central Railroad Station in downtown Pana. The union tried for a short time to remain non-violent, but soon this effort failed. Internecine war broke out between the union workers, the companies’ guards, and the black miners. By September 28, several black miners and one white person were wounded by gunfire. On September 29, 1898 the National Guard, led by Captain C.C. Craig, commander of Battery B in Galesburg, was ordered to report to Pana. Ten officers and 176 men were sent to assist law enforcement and prevent rioting. All armed people were to be disarmed and firearms dealers were asked to temporarily halt their businesses. Martial law was declared inn Pana by Governor Tanner on November 12,1898 but sporadic violence continued. By March of 1899, the union had captured the political power of the town, including the Mayor. The Governor withdrew troops at the city’s request. On April 10, 1899, a shootout in downtown Pana ensued between union and non-union miners. At least seven people were killed and fifteen wounded by gunfire. In June, Governor Tanner provided funds to send over 300 of the non-union miners back to Alabama, while others sought work elsewhere in the North. October 10, 1899 marks the date of the end of the ‘mine war’ as it has been called with the United Mine Workers in Pana winning their fight against the local mine operators.” 

 
This original photo is believed to show the arrival of African American miners. 

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