Rosiclare: The Fluorite Center of Hardin County, the United States and the World

Rosiclare: The Fluorite Center of Hardin County, the United States and the World. . , William Pell, Jr. settled here in 1832, founded Pell's Landing. In 1874, Pell's Landing was incorporated as Rose Clare and became the City of Rosiclare in 1932. Always an important river town, the discovery of fluorite and other minerals in the area and the arrival of the railroads created the Rosiclare we know today., The Railroad Arrives! , In 1919, Hardin County was one of only two Illinois counties without railroad service. That changed on July 15, when the Golconda Northern Railway began serving Rosiclare., Railroads connected Illinois' "inland" communities with the Ohio River and made Rosiclare an important transportation hub. Trains brought people and supplies to Rosiclare and carried ore and other local commodities to markets near and far., Rosiclare Grows , Through cycles of boom and bust, Rosiclare has remained a vital community., Due to the mines, Rosiclare was the first town in Hardin County to get electricity., The town grew into a bustling community and regional hub containing:, . 22 Grocery stores , . 5 Car dealerships , . 2 Movie theaters , . 2 Clothing stores , . Jewelry store , . Several barbershops , . Several cafes , . Sandwich shop , . Lumberyard , . Library , . Grade school , . High school , . YMCA and bowling alley , . Baseball field , . Wood skating rink , . Numerous other businesses, In 1916, "The State's Bloodiest Gun Battle" (Chicago Daily News) took place on Main Street and the bank of the river, when striking miners confronted Kentuckians who crossed the river to work the mines.,

"On Saturday night, Travis Drug Store was where all the young people gathered to drink a Coke, listen to the Lucky Strike Hit Parade radio program and to hear the #1 song of the week!", Katheryn Knight Hargan

, Hardin County General Hospital was established to serve mining communties. The hospital continues to provide care and jobs, and contribute to the local economy.,

"The Rosiclare Hotel…served an excellent Sunday dinner complete with white tablecloth and cloth napkins." , Katheryn Knight Hargan

, Rosiclare was founded as a river town and the river is still a powerful, constant presence and force, for good and bad., Rosiclare Population , In the first half of the 20th Century, Rosiclare's population increased 750%, reflecting the boom in the fluorite industry.,

1880-368 , 1890-274 , 1900-278 , 1910-609 , 1920-1,522 , 1930-1,794 , 1940-1,774 , 1950-2,068 , 1960-1,700 , 1970-1,421 , 1980-1,441 , 1990-1,378 , 2000-1,231 , 2010-1,160 , 2015-1,082