The Coal Mining Strip Braidwood, Godley, Braceville and Gardner:
In 1865 William Henneberry was digging a well on the Thomas Byron farm, when he found instead rich black coal. Mining activity boomed at a town named for James Braidwood, a Scottish emigrant who sank the first shaft for the Chicago & Wilmington Coal Company (C&W). Located about 60 miles from downtown Chicago, not far from the tracks of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, these mines were well- suited to supply a portion of the big city’s growing demand for fuel.
Miners of many ethnic backgrounds immigrated to Illinois towns for work in the mines. Working conditions were miserable, dangerous, and low- paying leading to strikes and conflict with Illinois troops and Pinkerton guards. Labor unions grew out of these conflicts.
By the early 20th century, shaft mining ended. In the 1920s strip mining revived the industry until the last mine in the Wilmington area closed in the 1960s. As you drive Historic Route 66 you can see mountains of slag and other reminders of the era. The Mazonia Fish and Wildlife Area near Braceville is a large, reclaimed strip mine.

Regional Overview Railroad Towns: 
Dwight, Odell, Cayuga, Pontiac, Ocoya, Chenoa

These towns, with the exception of Pontiac which originated in 1837, were established when the Chicago & Alton railroad was built in 1854 between Chicago and St. Louis. They were farming communities serving the needs of farmers. Trains transported their products to markets in Chicago and St. Louis. SBI 4 (later, Route 66) came through these towns and truckers took over much of the transport of farm commodities. This rail line was one of the most important in Illinois development. Abraham Lincoln was an investor. Later, it carried his body on the last leg home to Springfield.

Relationship to Route 66:
These mining and farm towns owe their existence to the railroad and highway that links them in a string from Joliet to Bloomington. Coal and farm commodities were shipped along this corridor to Chicago. Relationship to Route 66: These mining and farm towns owe their existence to the railroad and highway that links them in a string from Joliet to Bloomington. Coal and farm commodities were shipped along this corridor to Chicago.