Kathleen Coal Mine


The Kathleen Mine was a coal mine that operated in the nearby coal town of Dowell, Illinois, United States, from 1918 to 1946. At peak production, its output was 5,000 tons/day of coal. It was operated by the Union Colliery Company in St. Louis.
The Kathleen was sunk in 1917 and the mine opened in 1918. It closed in November 21, 1946. Over its life, over 150 men were killed working there.
Its miners went on strike from 1933 to 1937. They struck for the right to join the Progressive Mining Union, instead of the United Mine Workers union led by John Lewis.

Disasters

The entrance to the mine has been closed. On the site today is Cobin's Salvage Yard. There are few remaining signs of the mine that once built the village of Dowell. A small concrete structure is all that remains of the mine.
The mine has been suspected of causing sinkholes in the nearby village of Dowell.