Cherry in Bureau County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
U.M.W. Cherry Mine Disaster Memorial
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 6, 2026
1. U.M.W Cherry Mine Disaster Memorial
"To the memory of the miners who lost their lives in the Cherry Mine Disaster November 13, 1909."
Erected 1911 by United Mine Workers of America District No. 12.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is November 13, 1909.
Location. 41° 25.381′ N, 89° 13.095′ W. Marker is in Cherry, Illinois, in Bureau County. It is on County Road 1900 North (Illinois Route 89) west of South 1st Street, on the left when traveling east. This memorial is located in the Cherry Miner's Cemetery at the southwest corner of Cherry. It faces south towards the road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 33114 County Rd 1900 N, Arlington IL 61312, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Northern Illinois and in the Illinois River Valley. 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: We of Cherry Honor Our Service Personnel (approx. half a mile away); Cherry Mine Disaster (approx. half a mile away); Isam W. Seaton (1823-1903) and James H. Seaton (1828-1913) (approx. 5 miles away); John Mitchell (approx. 6.6 miles away); Vietnam Monument (approx. 6.8 miles away); Korea Monument (approx. 6.8 miles away); Veteran's Memorial (approx. 6.8 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cherry.
Also see . . . Mythic Mississippi Project - Cherry Memorials. See this article from the University of Illinois Mythic Mississippi Project that discusses this memorial as well as several other historical markers in the area.
Excerpt: "For the second anniversary of the disaster the United Mine Workers of America commissioned and inaugurated a magnificent memorial in the town’s cemetery. The cemetery is actually two adjacent cemeteries: the Holy Trinity Miners’ Memorial(Submitted on September 8, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois.)Cemetery (Catholic) and the Protestant Miners’ Memorial Cemetery. The UMWA’s Cherry Mine memorial sits between the two sectarian spaces and was erected south of the mine’s two slag piles (which are still visible on the landscape)."Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 6, 20262. U.M.W. Cherry Mine Disaster Memorial
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 6, 2026
3. Memorial Ground Inscription
This paver reads: No. 2 ILL Local Union
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 6, 2026
4. Secondary Plaque (Left)
Eagle Scout Project
Kyle Pinter
Troop 1055
October 27, 2018
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 6, 2026
5. Secondary Plaque (Right)
Special thanks to:
Cherry Booster Club • Pavers and More
Princeton Redi-Mix • Rep. Daniel Swanson
Cherry United Church of Christ & Members • Holy Trinity Church & Members
and all who contributed
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 6, 2026
6. U.M.W. Cherry Mine Disaster Memorial & Anniversary Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 7, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
