The Jumbo

The Jumbo are a pile of slag, which is coal waste, rock, or gob. They are a landmark of the Longwall mining era and are memorials to the region's coal industry, its workers, and a symbol of Toluca. This symbol at one time stood over 151 feet. To help with the preservation and erosion of the mound, an agreement between the City Council of Toluca and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources promoted the repair and restoration of the Jumbos. The Jumbos, preserved to 138 feet, is still a challenge to climb. , The Jumbo, a Toluca Landmark, an Illinois State Historical Site, is more than a pile of shale to Toluca residents. It is a history which would not have been preserved if not for the dedication and work of several individuals in this community. As work began on nearby Interstate 39 many of the surrounding slag piles in local communities were fattened and used as fill on the highway. Though the slag pile had become grown over by brush, was littered by used tires, refrigerators, car parts, and other trash, it was still a landmark for Toluca residents. , In 1996, when a backhoe tore into the jumbo for fill, Elton Pearson marched to the Toluca Post Office with a petition to halt any future desecration to the Jumbo. In three hours, he had 226 signatures on the petition. On October 14, 1996, the City of Toluca adopted a resolution declaring that the Jumbos were part of Toluca heritage to be preserved and protected. , In 1997, after many planning meetings, the Toluca Coal Mine Preservation and Development Inc. (aka Toluca Coal Mine Association) became an official organization with Bernard DeRubels Jr. serving as president, a position he held for 20 years. With immense help of Kimberly St. John, coordinator of Prairie Rivers Resource Conservation and Development, the history of Toluca Coal Mines would become a reality. Others serving on the board of the directors, in the beginning, included Elton E. Pearson, Judy Paulsen, Robin Overturf, Evelyn Pearson, Yvonne Massino, Fran Nacchi, Don Christ, June Farrar, Gregory Haugens, Anthony Bernardi, Cynthia Bernardi, and Bret Henry. These citizens dedicated many hours to research, planning, and cleaning up to form this historical site enjoyed by so many today. Many others from the community also supplied and supply their time, ideas, and labor to keep this historical site a place to enjoy. , [Captions] , . Center: Even the miners used the Jumbo for a backdrop. , . Bottom right: The Toluca Jumbo is not only a part of history but a part of family memories today. In the summer visitors climb the Jumbo for views of the landscape. They may enjoy a picnic lunch at the top, on the most used picnic table in the community. In the winter, adults and children flock to the Jumbo to sled down the slope. Photographers use the Jumbo for the perfect backdrop for Senior pictures, weddings and family pictures while young fisherman can be found by the pond trying to catch (and release) the big one.