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Visiting The Mines
The Cherry Mine disaster can be revisited during a trip to Cherry, Illinois
during the weekends. The town's City Hall houses a library open on Saturdays
and Sundays, which welcomes visitors. The library contains an exact model replica
of the Cherry Mine, complete with railroad trains. Numerous photographs depicting
the mine disaster are displayed and volunteers are ready to answer your questions
and even provide a tour .
What remains of the mine site can still be viewed, but visitors are asked
not to enter upon the site without first obtaining permission from Charles Bartoli,
the owner of the farmland and mine site. Mr. Bartoli's ancestors purchased
the mine and surrounding ground from a public auction held by the railroad in
1928. He is believed to be the last living person to have actually been into
the mine.
The town of Cherry and volunteers have taken great steps to preserve the history
of the town and mine. Ed Caldwell, a retiree in the area, has inherited a position
as an unofficial historian and can often be found in the library.
There are numerous restaurants to enjoy in Cherry and nearby Ladd and the
venture makes for a great day trip for Chicago families interested in local
history. There is no charge for visiting the library or any other sites in Cherry,
but if you care to make a donation at the Library, the towns' folks would
be grateful.
Visiting the Quecreek Mine can be more difficult. To begin with, the mine
is in the process of reopening and working mines are not meant to be tourist
attractions. In addition, we were informed by some locals, that visitors are
being charged to enter the farm area where the actual rescue shafts were drilled.
But at the time of our visit, no one attempted to charge us any money. The drive
into Somerset provides some breathtaking scenery if you take the less traveled
route through the mountains. A great day trip from nearby Pittsburgh, the friendly
town folks and scenery and the numerous restaurants and cafes to be found in
the area will delight the entire family.
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