Remains of WWII soldier to be buried at Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive

Almost 80 years after he died, the remains of a World War II soldier will be interred this weekend at the historic Union Miners Cemetery just off Route 66 in Mount Olive, Illinois. The Springfield State Journal-Register reports Army Sgt. John W. Radanovich, 23, of nearby White City, Illinois, was slain by German forces in … Continue reading Remains of WWII soldier to be buried at Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive

Hit-and-run damages gas pump at Soulsby Station

An apparent hit-and-run accident damaged one of the Shell gas pumps at the historic Soulsby Station in Mount Olive, Illinois, last week. The accident occurred Saturday morning amid a group of four touring motorcyclists visiting the station. Mike Dragovich, who's owned the station since 1997, said surveillance video revealed one of the motorcyclists accidentally "dumped" … Continue reading Hit-and-run damages gas pump at Soulsby Station

Closed Crossroads Diner may be at a crossroads

The Crossroads Diner in Mount Olive, Illinois, apparently closed early this year, and the longer it remains shuttered, the chance it will reopen keeps shrinking. The closed Crossroads Diner in Mount Olive, Illinois. A reader alerted me to the closing a few days ago. In case you can't read it, the photograph above shows a … Continue reading Closed Crossroads Diner may be at a crossroads

Mother Jones historical marker unveiled at Coalfield rest area in Illinois

Officials recently unveiled a historical marker dedicated to union activist Mother Jones at the Coalfield rest area along Interstate 55 in Illinois, not far from where she is buried. According to the Macoupin County-Carlinville Inquirer-Democrat: The large, 4×4-foot marker was placed in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Transportation and is paired with an indoor … Continue reading Mother Jones historical marker unveiled at Coalfield rest area in Illinois

New Mother Jones marker dedicated at I-55 rest area

A variety of dignitaries on Monday dedicated a new historical marker for famed union activist Mother Jones and coal-miners' union movement at the southbound Interstate 55 Coalfield rest area south of Springfield, Illinois. In addition, Ireland’s consul general to Chicago and the Midwest participated in a wreath-laying ceremony that day at the Mother Jones Monument, … Continue reading New Mother Jones marker dedicated at I-55 rest area

Mother Jones Monument restored

The 80-year-old Mother Jones Monument off Route 66 in Mount Olive, Illinois, was rededicated Saturday in front of a crowd of more than 300 people after the union activist's grave was restored, according to the Peoria Journal-Star. More about the monument in Union Miners Cemetery -- the nation's only union-owned cemetery -- in Mount Olive: … Continue reading Mother Jones Monument restored

Wanted: A restorer of signs for Soulsby Station

The owner of the historic Soulsby Station along old Route 66 in Mount Olive, Illinois, is looking for a sign contractor who can do some restoration work on the main Shell sign in front of the station. We happened to be driving a few dozen miles of old 66 in Illinois on Sunday evening when … Continue reading Wanted: A restorer of signs for Soulsby Station