Toluca in Marshall County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Pool – A Community Gathering Point

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 6, 2024

1. The Pool – A Community Gathering Point Marker

Inscription. Only a few remnants of the Toluca Coal Mine still exist today. One of these is this concrete rectangle. During the mining operation, this was a water reservoir used to cool the steam engines. A 6-inch diameter pipe carried water from the open well that was supplied by gravitation from the pond to the steam engines working shaft #1 in the boiler house.

[Captions]
• Top left: After World War 1, the American Legion and the Toluca City Council turned the reservoir into a community swimming pool, charging $2.50 for a season ticket.
• Bottom left: The buildings in the background housed a dressing area and concession stand. The population of Toluca in 1923 was about 1400.
• Top right: Today, this area is referred to as the pool and is used for central meeting points of many community events, wiener roasts and birthday parties.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 40° 59.924′ N, 89° 8.097′ W. Marker is in Toluca, Illinois, in Marshall County. It can be reached

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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.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Jumbo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Devlin/Toluca Coal Mine Fan Housing (about 300 feet away); Devlin / Toluca Coal Mine Shaft Number 1 (about 400 feet away); Toluca Coal Mine (about 400 feet away); Santa Fe Railroad (about 400 feet away); Site of the first Clear Creek Friends Meeting House (approx. 11½ miles away); John Swaney School (approx. 11.6 miles away).

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 6, 2024

2. The Pool – A Community Gathering Point Marker

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 138 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.