This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.” Samuel Adams
From what I saw, the tunnels actually go North, South, East, & West. I believe Chamlin missed one direction in the article. Also, the tunnels are quite tall enough for a human to walk in. If the tunnels were only for sewage, why is the roof of the tunnel built with elaborate stones and such beautiful rounded archways? Also, I believe there are some rails in the tunnels. Why would sewer tunnels need rail tracks placed inside of them, such as those used by coal carts or other containers being moved around underground? I think there is a little more to the story here than what was remembered by Mr. Baker and Mr. Chamlin. Maybe, in their recent history, they were used as sewer tunnels, but I believe they were used for something more when they were originally built.
The tunnel looks much like the sewer tunnel that drains into the Centenial Park Creek (aka Spring Creek) at Peoria Street. That one is / was made of brick just like the photograph. The tunnel under Peoria Street was taller though. It is blocked off with concrete now - maybe replaced with modern tile, so the kids can't get into it. They take all the fun away :)
In 1930 the City approved 2 sewer projects and one of those was a line from Pike Street to the Illinois River and I believe the other was through the ravine. I am not certain if this is the same location as the sink hole.
I would be curious if these tunnels were utilized as coal tunnels or if they were utilized during prohibition to possibly connect the breweries/buildings. I would urge the council NOT to rush filling this area because this could be a historical find and a rich part of our communities history.
Kristy, others have also commented privately the same thing. I too do hope they do not rush to fill. Peru has a very bad record of destroying anything of historical value in this community.
Those of us old enough to remember that there was a slag heap on water street that was the residue of coal mining in the area. I do remember people saying that the much of the town was undermined because of the number of coal mines in the early 1900's.
1858 - The town's first coal mine had been sunk near the western end of town, on the river bank about one hundred yards southwest of the Star Union Brewery. This shaft was owned by the Peru Coal Mining Co., Wm. Chumasero, Secretary; T. D. Brewster, President; A. J. Whitney, Manager.
Thank you Brian for researching and finding that very interesting and pertinent bit of coal mining history which puts it right in the same general area of the sinkhole.
Perhaps when the first new stone building was constructed they were aware of nearby tunnels and that if they were indeed coal mining tunnels they could safely be used for other purposes to do with brewing. Of course this cave in is right in the same area as the stone structure used to be.
6 comments:
From what I saw, the tunnels actually go North, South, East, & West. I believe Chamlin missed one direction in the article. Also, the tunnels are quite tall enough for a human to walk in. If the tunnels were only for sewage, why is the roof of the tunnel built with elaborate stones and such beautiful rounded archways? Also, I believe there are some rails in the tunnels. Why would sewer tunnels need rail tracks placed inside of them, such as those used by coal carts or other containers being moved around underground? I think there is a little more to the story here than what was remembered by Mr. Baker and Mr. Chamlin. Maybe, in their recent history, they were used as sewer tunnels, but I believe they were used for something more when they were originally built.
The tunnel looks much like the sewer tunnel that drains into the Centenial Park Creek (aka Spring Creek) at Peoria Street. That one is / was made of brick just like the photograph. The tunnel under Peoria Street was taller though. It is blocked off with concrete now - maybe replaced with modern tile, so the kids can't get into it. They take all the fun away :)
In 1930 the City approved 2 sewer projects and one of those was a line from Pike Street to the Illinois River and I believe the other was through the ravine. I am not
certain if this is the same location as the sink hole.
I would be curious if these tunnels were utilized as coal tunnels or if they were utilized during prohibition to possibly connect the breweries/buildings. I would urge the council NOT to rush filling this area because this could be a historical find and a rich part of our communities history.
Kristy
Kristy, others have also commented privately the same thing. I too do hope they do not rush to fill. Peru has a very bad record of destroying anything of historical value in this community.
Those of us old enough to remember that there was a slag heap on water street that was the residue of coal mining in the area. I do remember people saying that the much of the town was undermined because of the number of coal mines in the early 1900's.
From "Peru Centennial"
1858 -
The town's first coal mine had been sunk near
the western end of town, on the river bank about
one hundred yards southwest of the Star Union
Brewery. This shaft was owned by the Peru Coal
Mining Co., Wm. Chumasero, Secretary; T. D. Brewster, President; A. J. Whitney, Manager.
12:50 PM
Thank you Brian for researching and finding that very interesting and pertinent bit of coal mining history which puts it right in the same general area of the sinkhole.
Perhaps when the first new stone building was constructed they were aware of nearby tunnels and that if they were indeed coal mining tunnels they could safely be used for other purposes to do with brewing. Of course this cave in is right in the same area as the stone structure used to be.
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