|
 During late
winter and early spring 2005, Fever River Research (FRR) conducted a
Phase II National Register evaluation of the Bell and Zoller Mine
No. 2 Site (11FK216), an abandoned coal mining property that was in
operation from 1917 to 1951. The purpose of the project was to
evaluate the standing structures and above-grade foundation remains
associated with the historic mine site prior to the commencement of
reclamation work on the property. The Bell and Zoller No. 2 Mine is
located in southern Franklin County, which lies in the heart of the
“Quality Circle” of the Southern Illinois coal field. Franklin
County was one of the most important centers of coal production
in Illinois (and arguably the United States) during the first half of
the twentieth century. Developed during the World War-era coal
boom, Bell and Zoller No. 2 was rated one of most modern mines in
the nation at the time of its construction. The facility
particularly stood out in respect to its large powerhouse—which
reflected the extensive scale of the mine’s operations—and its
sophisticated preparation plant, which processed its own coal as
well that transported from the two other mines Bell and Zoller
operated locally. The powerhouse was still standing at the time of
the field investigation and was recorded through scaled line
drawings. |
