Lovilia in Monroe County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Buxton
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
1. Buxton Marker
Near the location of this marker is the site of Buxton, once the largest town in Monroe County. A coal boom town, it was founded in 1900 by the railroad which operated the five mines in the vicinity. At its peak, Buxton numbered over 6,000 inhabitants, a majority of whom were black. These miners lived and worked with little racial friction during the active days of the Buxton mines. At the turn of the century, coal production was one of Iowa’s major industries, and Monroe County was the largest coal producer in the State. With the close of the mines in the 1920’s, Buxton became a ghost town.
Erected 1978 by Iowa State Historical Department, Division of the State Historical Society; and by the Monroe County Historical Society. (Marker Number 35.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Iowa - State Historical Society of Iowa series list.
Location. 41° 8.432′ N, 92° 54.476′ W. Marker is in Lovilia, Iowa, in Monroe County. Marker is on Iowa Route 5, 0.1 miles north of East 22nd Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. National Bank Block (approx. 9.4 miles away); Samuel Nobel Block (approx. 9.4 miles away); Miller-Loeb Block (approx. 9.4 miles away); Samuel Nobel Building (approx. 9.4 miles away); Fish & Elliot / Duncan Building (approx. 9.4 miles away); Skean's Block (approx. 9.4 miles away); William Moon & Son / James Phenney Building (approx. 9.4 miles away); W. H. Kreger Building (approx. 9.4 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. The Great Buxton. Iowa PBS website entry:
The history of Buxton, Iowa, is unique for its times. Racial integration and harmony existed there at a time when racial tolerance was the exception and not the rule. Buxton Coal Mine No. 18 lasted only 20 years, 1900-1920. But its impact on Iowa and America remains through books, essays and historical accounts. (Submitted on July 6, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Buxton: A Lost Utopia. Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs website entry:
Having a hard time recruiting white miners, Consolidation Coal sent agents to southern states to hire African-American workers. In 1873, it founded the town of Buxton and opened nearby mines. It grew quickly and, according to one source, became the largest coal town west of the Mississippi. (Submitted on July 6, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
via Iowa PBS, unknown
2. Buxton, Iowa
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
3. Buxton Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
4. Coal Car
Donated by
Boscoe Walter
Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 266 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on May 28, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on July 6, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on April 12, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on July 6, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
