WILSONVILLE
Wilsonville
Prior to 1916, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company operated three coal mines in the Gillespie-Benld area. These mines were known to us as Superior Coal Company Mines, a subsidiary of the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. The general public was probably never fully aware that the Superior Coal Company was a noncommercial coal producer, supplying coal to the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for their stations, repair shops and locomotives.
The production of coal at their three mines was not sufficient to meet their needs. The company went on record to sink and operate a fourth mine which would be known to them as Superior Coal Mine #4. The site selected was in Dorchester Township in the north central portion. Near and to the north of the proposed mine site there came to be a town which for some time was without a name.
In 1916 and 1917, construction began in all phases; the sinking of the main shaft, air shaft, the reservoir and, most needed at this time to get supplies to the mine site, the railroad. The first supplies to arrive at the mine coming by horse and wagon from the Chicago Northwestern depot at Benld, was driven by a Gillespie teamster, Mr. Frank Vanatta.
The company had a large two-story building erected which became known as the Boarding House, along with several dwelling houses for the workers. For several years the boarding house was managed by Mrs. Burton. The workers and their families were from every country in Europe, except Spain, Norway and Sweden.
One day a worker paused and asked, "What are we going to name this town?" President Wilson was in office, thus the town was then and there named Wilson until 1919, when it was incorporated and the name expanded to Wilsonville. John Picco was the first mayor.
The first fatality at the mine while digging the main shaft, was Mr. Joseph Cahagan Sr., who fell from a scaffold and plunged 87 feet down the shaft to his death.
On March 11, 1932, the Wilsonville Volunteer Fire Department was organized. Louis "Skinny" Pellegrini was the secretary.
The year 1937 the Wilsonville Mine #4 had a sit-down strike which termed unusual because it was staged underground where they remained for nine days, protesting working conditions and making demands. This was the first strike conducted in this manner anywhere in the world.
Progressive club
The Progressive Club was originally established in May 1934 and was located on the northwest side of Wilsonville’s main street.
The Club moved to their new building in 1949, the current location of the establishment.
The Club historically marks 88 years in business in the Village of Wilsonville.
Prior to 1916, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company operated three coal mines in the Gillespie-Benld area. These mines were known to us as Superior Coal Company Mines, a subsidiary of the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. The general public was probably never fully aware that the Superior Coal Company was a noncommercial coal producer, supplying coal to the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for their stations, repair shops and locomotives.
The production of coal at their three mines was not sufficient to meet their needs. The company went on record to sink and operate a fourth mine which would be known to them as Superior Coal Mine #4. The site selected was in Dorchester Township in the north central portion. Near and to the north of the proposed mine site there came to be a town which for some time was without a name.
In 1916 and 1917, construction began in all phases; the sinking of the main shaft, air shaft, the reservoir and, most needed at this time to get supplies to the mine site, the railroad. The first supplies to arrive at the mine coming by horse and wagon from the Chicago Northwestern depot at Benld, was driven by a Gillespie teamster, Mr. Frank Vanatta.
The company had a large two-story building erected which became known as the Boarding House, along with several dwelling houses for the workers. For several years the boarding house was managed by Mrs. Burton. The workers and their families were from every country in Europe, except Spain, Norway and Sweden.
One day a worker paused and asked, "What are we going to name this town?" President Wilson was in office, thus the town was then and there named Wilson until 1919, when it was incorporated and the name expanded to Wilsonville. John Picco was the first mayor.
The first fatality at the mine while digging the main shaft, was Mr. Joseph Cahagan Sr., who fell from a scaffold and plunged 87 feet down the shaft to his death.
On March 11, 1932, the Wilsonville Volunteer Fire Department was organized. Louis "Skinny" Pellegrini was the secretary.
The year 1937 the Wilsonville Mine #4 had a sit-down strike which termed unusual because it was staged underground where they remained for nine days, protesting working conditions and making demands. This was the first strike conducted in this manner anywhere in the world.
Progressive club
The Progressive Club was originally established in May 1934 and was located on the northwest side of Wilsonville’s main street.
The Club moved to their new building in 1949, the current location of the establishment.
The Club historically marks 88 years in business in the Village of Wilsonville.
