ZEIGLER’S MINERS FOUNTAIN

August 2005

by Dr. Allan Patton

          At the turn of the Twentieth Century, Chicago millionaire Levi Z. Leiter was seeking a coal supply that could be utilized in the production of coke.  When a coal seam of superior quality was discovered in southwest Franklin County, Six-Mile Township, he immediately acquired more than 7,000 acres of this coal laden property. 

          Without delay, Leiter abandoned his coking venture and made a decision to try his hand at coal production.  By 1904, Mine No. 1, the first in Franklin County, was in operation and after several turbulent years, Bell & Zoller brought Zeigler Mine No. 2 into production. Between the two facilities, more than 2,500 men and boys were employed in mining the high quality coal.

          Instantly, Zeigler coal gained a strong national market and became a

challenger to all other operations. This success caused Leiter to realize that an administrative building was needed to house his Zeigler operation. Consequently, a site in the center of the town’s business area was selected and the mine office was soon a reality.  From 1904 to 1951, this majestic building served as the hub of Leiter’s coal empire.

          After both Mine No. 1, 1948, and Mine No. 2, 1951, ceased production, there was no longer a need for the business office in Zeigler.  Operations were moved to Johnston City and the local headquarters was abandoned.  For the next eight years, deterioration racked the facility and it became a community eye-sore. 

          Under the leadership of Mayor Gene Prudent, the City of Zeigler acquired the run-down property from the coal company and immediately began seeking ideas for improving the downtown business area.  The newly established Zeigler Improvements Incorporated, under the leadership of R.R. Frazier, president of the Bank of Zeigler, suggested creating an attractive park, to replace the forlorn looking mine office building. 

          In 1959, the old Zeigler Coal Company office was razed and a fountain was erected in its place.  The Circle Fountain, pink and gray in color, was modeled after the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago.  At dusk each evening, a water and light show was displayed for the citizens of Zeigler and surrounding communities. 

          On September 16, 1960, the fountain was officially dedicated to all Zeigler coal miners – living and dead.  On hand to assist in the ceremony was W. A. Tony Boyle, who later became international president of the United Mine Workers of America.  The beautiful Miner’s Fountain, one of a kind in southern Illinois, endured for a period of fifteen years, from 1960 to 1975.  As time passed, age, vandalism, maintenance and obsolescence took their toll on the fountain and it was removed from the Circle Park.

Many of the pictures on this site are located on books
and CD's located on the Zeigler's Memorabilia page

Thanks to those who have contributed pictures and memorabilia that is viewed on this site.