Virden, Illinois and the Coal Mine Wars
Nestled just a couple of miles south of Thayer, Illinois, the city of Virden, Illinois, gracefully occupies land in both Sangamon and Macoupin counties. A community of approximately 3,500 residents calls this historic place home. The story of Virden, Illinois is intertwined with the rich agricultural heritage of the Midwest and a turbulent chapter in labor history.
The origins of Virden, Illinois can be traced back to 1852. The town’s name pays homage to John Virden, a prominent figure who operated a well-known stage stand about two miles south of the future town site. This stage stand, established around 1838, served as a crucial junction for travelers along the Springfield and St. Louis stage line and the Springfield and Vandalia stage line. The Virden Stand, as it was widely known, became a familiar landmark in the area, offering respite and connection in a growing region.
The establishment of Virden, Illinois was significantly spurred by the completion of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Recognizing the potential of this new transportation artery, Heaton, DuBoise, Chesnut, Hickox, and Keiting collaborated to lay out the town. The first lots were sold in October 1852, marking the official birth of Virden. John Virden, in a fitting tribute to his contribution, erected the first commercial building – a hotel named the Junction House. Shortly after, Alexander Hord built the first house, and Henry Fishback opened the first store in November 1852, setting the stage for the town’s early development.
The year 1853 witnessed further progress as a dry goods and grocery store, which also housed the post office, opened its doors. Education took root with the first school being taught in the home of Mrs. James Hall. The community also saw the establishment of a blacksmith shop and a mill, essential services for the burgeoning town. Methodist Minister Edward Rutledge delivered the town’s first sermon in the hotel, laying the foundation for the establishment of several churches that would soon follow. The rapid growth attracted more businesses and a local doctor, solidifying Virden as a thriving community.
The winter of 1855 brought hardship to Virden and the surrounding area in the form of a devastating snowstorm. The severity of the storm caused significant losses, with livestock freezing to death. A passenger train became stranded in a cut just north of the village limits, remaining immobile for several days. The storm’s intensity forced passengers to remain confined to the train cars, relying on the town’s residents to provide them with provisions. This act of community support highlights the resilience and spirit of the early settlers of Virden, Illinois.
A pivotal moment in Virden’s history arrived in 1869 when the first coal shaft was sunk near the town. This discovery led to the development of the coal industry, which would shape the town’s economy and social landscape for decades to come. In the following year, the people of Virden demonstrated their commitment to progress by voting to allocate $30,000 for the construction of the Jacksonville & Southeastern Railway. The railway, spanning 31 miles, was completed by the end of 1871. This new infrastructure facilitated the transportation of freight and the rapid export of coal by the Virden Coal Company. Over the next several decades, Virden, Illinois became a hub for coal mining, supporting 21 different coal mines.
By 1890, Virden had transformed into a bustling town. A tile factory produced 20,000 feet of tile per week, area mines employed hundreds of men, and two railroads ran through the city. New businesses flourished, and the population grew to approximately 1,600 residents. Despite this prosperity, life for miners and their families was far from easy. The work in the mines was dangerous and demanding, with miners facing the constant threat of "Black Lung" disease from the stale, dusty air, as well as noxious fumes and the ever-present risk of mine explosions. However, the most pressing issues were related to wages and the control exerted by "company towns." Miners often found themselves forced to purchase goods and supplies from company stores and rent their homes from the company, creating a cycle of dependency. To make matters worse, the coal companies were accused of recruiting laborers from Europe who were willing to work for lower wages, creating a surplus of workers and driving down wages further.
These grievances led to the rise of organized labor movements. In 1890, the United Mine Workers of America was formed, giving miners a collective voice to advocate for better working conditions and fair treatment. In addition to joining unions, miners also elected sympathetic politicians who passed laws addressing safety concerns, company store practices, and wage fairness. Strikes became a powerful tool, although often accompanied by violence. Strikes had already occurred in Illinois in 1868, 1874, and 1877. During these strikes, company property was often damaged, trains were derailed, and railroad bridges were burned to disrupt coal shipments. In response, coal companies sometimes hired armed guards to intimidate and suppress striking miners.
The simmering tensions boiled over in 1898 when a bitter coal strike erupted in Virden, Illinois. The Chicago-Virden Coal Company resisted the unionization of its mines and refused to pay union-scale wages. In an attempt to break the strike, the company constructed a timber stockade around the mine and imported African-American workers from Alabama as strikebreakers. This action further inflamed the striking miners. On October 12, 1898, a train carrying strikebreakers arrived in Virden and was immediately surrounded by striking miners. However, the mine manager had anticipated this confrontation and hired security guards armed with Winchester rifles, who were stationed around the stockade and on the train.
The situation escalated into a violent confrontation as the security guards opened fire on the miners, many of whom were also armed. A fierce gun battle ensued, resulting in the deaths of six security guards and seven miners. An additional 35 individuals were wounded. After 20 minutes of intense fighting, the train finally managed to pull away, carrying the strikebreakers. In the aftermath of the battle, martial law was declared in the city for several days, and the train refused to make stops in Virden. Finally, a month later, the company yielded to the miners’ demands and granted the wage increase.
While "coal wars" continued throughout Illinois until 1900, the Battle of Virden is credited with playing a significant role in securing the eight-hour workday for hourly mine workers. A large granite and bronze three-dimensional memorial in the town square stands as a testament to the battle and the sacrifices made by the miners.
By the turn of the century, Virden, Illinois boasted a thriving community with four churches, a bank, two newspapers, flour mills, brick and tile works, a machine shop, extensive coal mines, and a population of approximately 2,300 people.
During the 20th century, more mines were opened and operated until their coal seams were depleted. Today, there is only one producer near Virden; however, Macoupin County remains one of the state’s largest producers of coal. The modern city of Virden, Illinois, with its population of around 3,500, is economically based primarily on agriculture, with corn and soybeans as the major crops.
Visitors to Virden, Illinois will find a number of interesting buildings on the downtown square. A mural on the post office building and another mural which depicts events of Virden’s history offer a glimpse into the town’s past.
For travelers along the old stretch of Route 66, a short detour of about four miles on IL-4 leads to the neighboring town of Girard.