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Story Subject Category: Taylorville
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In the summer of 2006 I got a call from Will Stone. He was asking when we could come down to do a story on his museum in Taylorville. I was a bit confused since I had just returned from maternity leave and could not remember talking to him. But over the conversation I learned that he was a former miner that was dedicated to preserving the history of mining in Illinois. He told me he used to work in the Peabody number 10 mine. My father had friends that worked in that mine and he even had the chance to go visit them underground. My Dad had said it was an incredible experience since the place was so huge, It was an underground city. Then that same week I was in the car with my family and my husband turned on a CD. The first same was “Dark as a Dungeon” by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The powerful words reminded me of Will and I knew I had to do the story on the Christian County Coal Mining Museum. When Julius, Virginia and I showed up to tape the story, Will had invited some of his friends to the museum. The stories they shared with us about working in the mines were incredible. Will was a very gracious host. I brought with me some mining artifacts that belonged to my husband’s grandfather who had worked in the mines in southern Illinois. Will explained what they were small lanterns that used to hang on the miners hats. He even gave me an extra “soft hat” that he had at the museum so that I could display them properly at home. I encourage anyone who is interested in Illinois history to visit this unique museum in Taylorville. And tell Will that I said hello.
Segment duration: 07:58
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Historical Landmarks • History • Illinois Culture/History • Parks/Outdoor Recreation • Taylorville
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Another segment on the program looks at the Vandeveer family, early civic leaders and businessmen in Taylorville and Christian County. Horatio Vandeveer built the first house in Taylorville, and in the first election there in 1839 he was elected county recorder. Later he was appointed school commissioner and clerk of the circuit court, and eventually became a judge and state legislator. In 1868, he established the H.M. Vandeveer & Sons Bank with his son William. Another son, Eugene, became a partner in 1876. The bank was the second wealthiest bank in the state in the late 1800s, and the family provided funds to build Vandeveer High School, now Taylorville High School.
WILL-TV Executive Producer Jack Kelly, who produced the Vandeveer segment, said that despite all the Vandeveers did to establish Taylorville, the Vandeveer name eventually died out because there were no male heirs. “Now all that’s left is a street sign in Taylorville that bears the name Vandeveer,” said Kelly. Yolande Oglesby, granddaughter of Eugene Vandeveer; Mary Jane Durbin, president of the Christian County Historical Society; and Florence Miller, cousin of the Vandeveers, are interviewed on the program.
Segment duration: 09:19
Producer: Jack Kelly
This segment is filed in these categories: Family history • Illinois Culture/History • Military • Taylorville
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