Toluca in Marshall County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Devlin/Toluca Coal Mine Fan Housing
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 6, 2024
1. Devlin/Toluca Coal Mine Fan Housing Marker
Inscription.
Devlin/Toluca Coal Mine Fan Housing. . This large concrete structure, one of two remnants of the Devlin Toluca Mine left today, was essential to the miners as it housed the fan for ventilation into the mine shaft. Using the latest in ventilation and fresh air systems made Toluca's Mine one of the safest mines in the area. Ventilation of the coal mine was essential to the miners as accumulation of methane gas could easily catch fire, causing an explosion. This fan provided fresh air to the miners while diluting the gas. In 1893 ventilation into the mines was one of the biggest engineering problems, as a fire could consume the entire oxygen supply and suffocate the miners. , Charles Devin, keeping safety in mind, installed fire doors in the main veins. He also placed steam-powered pumps, hoist equipment and compressors in the mine; however the most important was escape exits. Three exits were available, one on the north side of shaft #1, second on the ventilation shaft, and the third or back up was shaft #2 These exits never had to be used although there were several fires. The worst being the loss of a tower, scale house, and large coal bin at shaft #1. In two days, the mining operation resumed by using shaft #2.
This large concrete structure, one of two remnants of the Devlin Toluca Mine left today, was essential to the miners as it housed the fan for ventilation into the mine shaft. Using the latest in ventilation and fresh air systems made Toluca's Mine one of the safest mines in the area. Ventilation of the coal mine was essential to the miners as accumulation of methane gas could easily catch fire, causing an explosion. This fan provided fresh air to the miners while diluting the gas. In 1893 ventilation into the mines was one of the biggest engineering problems, as a fire could consume the entire oxygen supply and suffocate the miners.
Charles Devin, keeping safety in mind, installed fire doors in the main veins. He also placed steam-powered pumps, hoist equipment and compressors in the mine; however the most important was escape exits. Three exits were available, one on the north side of shaft #1, second on the ventilation shaft, and the third or back up was shaft #2 These exits never had to be used although there were several fires. The worst being the loss of a tower, scale house, and large coal bin at shaft #1. In two
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days, the mining operation resumed by using shaft #2.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 40° 59.977′ N, 89° 8.075′ W. Marker is in Toluca, Illinois, in Marshall County. It can be reached from East Bennington Street 0.3 miles west of East Railroad Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in Toluca Coal Mine Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 E Bennington St, Toluca IL 61369, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Illinois River Valley and in Greater Peoria. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
