Mines Along The Monon

Mines Along The Monon

Welcome to our newest addition to the Bygone Places Along The Monon website. This site is still under construction, so be sure to check back often. Updates will be posted on the index page.

From the beginning, the predecessor lines that eventually would become the Monon Railroad eyed the coal fields of Indiana. The Monon's initial entry into these coal fields came via leased trackage. September 1902 the CIL signed an agreement with the Indianapolis Southern for trackage rights on ten miles of line from Switz City through Linton to the mining area of Victoria. In combination with the Bedford and Bloomfield Branch, the rights gave the railroad access to mines in Sullivan and Green counties.

In 1899 the seeds of what was to become the Monon's third and best route into the coal fields were planted when officers of the CI&L participated in the creation of the Indianapolis & Louisville Railway Company. The original I&L charter provided for building a 100 mile line from Indianapolis to Switz City. The line would traverse through Marion, Hendricks, Morgan, Putnam, Owen, Clay, Sullivan and Green counties. Early in 1903, real progress was made on the I&L. The line had been surveyed from the Monon mainline south of Cloverdale to Victoria.

In 1905 the final form of the I&L branch was agreed upon by the Monon's board. The line was to start on the mainline between Cloverdale and Quincy, at a site named Wallace Junction, after CI&L Engineer W.A. Wallace. It would extend only to Victoria. To assure that the CI&L had control of the I&L, the Monon took a 99 year lease on the I&L, effective January 1, 1906.

The I&L was turned over to the CI&L officially on October 1, 1907, with the Vicksburg Spur opening later that December. The I&L counted 59.7 route miles with yet another 10.2 in sidings and mine trackage. In 1911 the Monon Coal Company, owned by the railroad, was established to establish a presence in the coal fields. The Lattas Creek spur provided the Monon with a link to the Chicago, Terre Haute and Southeastern (later Milwaukee Road) at Lattas Junction.

Excepts From "Monon, The Hoosier Line" by Gary and Steve Dolzall

Peabody Coal Company

The Monon as well as the Milwaukee Road served the Peabody Coal Company. The Monon reached the tipple via a spur line that started at the wye a few miles north of Midland. The Milwaukee Road from the other direction near the Latta yard. Coal was a major source of revenue on the Monon.

Midland Turn, Peabody spur line, long range view, circa 1971.

Left and Right: Two more images from the Midland Turn and the Peabody spur. Again, circa July 1971. These images were taken from the Monon Railroad Historical -Technical Society's Ron Marquardt Image CD. They, along with hundreds of other images are available on the Ron Marquardt CD and can be easily purchased from the Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society's Company Store . Please help support the preservation of the history and the legacy of the Monon Railroad and purchase a copy today.

Left: Pushing empties at the Peabody tipple, May 1971. Right: Peabody Coal Company cars at the tipple, May 1971.

Left and Right: The tracks leading to the old Peabody miller creek tipple. These tracks are located just east of the Latta yard curving around to the east and crossing Highway 59 north to Jasonville.

Grade crossing at Highway 59.

Victoria

The S&A Coal Corporation's new coal washer and tipple, circa 1955. Completion of this structure, in 1954, gave the railroad renewed hope for revenue on the I&L Branch. Pictured are Monon hoppers ready for loading. The structure would be fed by coal from area strip mines.

Another look at the coal washer and tipple at Victoria. CIL hopper #40180 and others wait to be filled.

Monon #2 Hocking Mine

This mine is also known as Vandalia #2 was began by The Indiana Southern Coal Co. about 1905. It than became Alliance Coal Co. It Became Monon Coal Co. in 1909...Than it sold to the Vandalia Coal Co. in 1911. It was abandoned in 1919. It yielded 891,300 tons. It was located south and east of Farmersburg, Indiana and about 3.5 miles north of state road 48. Interestingly enough this area is now being strip mined by Black Beauty Coal Company.

Latta's Creek No 1, Monon #6.

Latta's Creek No 1, Monon #6. The company names are listed as: Lattas Creek Coal Co., South Indiana Coal Co.,Monon Coal Co., Alliance Coal Co. It operated from 1903 to 1923 and dug 3,559.000 tons. It was located just south of Shakamak State Park, in Green County.

Gilmore, Monon No. 7.

Gilmore, Monon No. 7. Also known as Vigo Coal Company. Monon Coal Company. - 1901- 1919. Yield: 2,291,000 tons. This mine was accessed by trackage rights on the then Terre Haute & Southeastern/ Milwaukee. A map shows that the spur (that still exists), leads directly from the Jasonville shops to the west went right by the mine. This mine was located due south of the Lattas Creek mine, about one mile south of Shakamak State Park.

Little Giant Mine

The Little Giant Mine, date unknown. Also known as, Monon No.14, Vandalia No.14, Vigo No.14. Owners: Shirley Hill Coal Company, Monon Coal Company, Coal Bluff Mining Company, Vandalia Coal Company.(1915) Operated from 1914-1921. Produced 3,283,503 tons. This mine was located in eastern Sullivan county, half way inbetween Dugger and Plesantville. It appears to be in what is now the Green/Sullivan State Forest.

Left: Little Giant Mine 2006. The Little Giant tipple area today. Right: This long view is of the right of way leading up to the tipple area, looking to the south.

Above: Aerial look at the Little Giant area. Besides the Little Giant area you can see the branchline that leads to the old Shirley Hill mine and Andromeda. -Courtesy Scott Wellington-

Hickory Grove Coal Company

Hickory Grove Coal Company Tipple, circa 1930's. Located just south of mp-F38. This mine was also served by CMSTP & P. Picture courtesy of the Dugger Coal Museum.

The Steel Tipple Mine

This mine was not serviced by the Monon Railroad, but at one time was owned by the Monon Coal Company. ( Note "Monon" written on the structure.) Shelburn No.1 & No.2 Shelburn Coal Company, Keystone Coal Company. (1903) The popular name of this mine was "The Steel Tipple Mine." The old timers "remember" it well from the accounts of their parents. It was probably serviced by the TH&E / C&EI which is still busy for CSX on the east side of US 41. It operated 1898-1905? Produced 230,511 tons, Was 195 feet deep, The coal vein was 5 feet deep.

The actual location of this mine is on the west side of US 41 in Shelburn just south of the SR 48 intersection, directly behind the old C&D Truck stop which is now a flea market/antique shop.

Special thanks to BMIA Operatives Robert Maxwell and Scott Wellington for all their assistance with research and photographs.

More Pictures (Then And Now) Coming Soon.

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2006 Bygone Places Along The Monon, Thomas Kepshire