History of Valier
Valier Depo
Referenced from Sara Ann Gamrat in 1956
Photos provided by Ron Patyski
The history of Valier began in 1905 when the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad (C. B. & Q) bought land for a railroad. Before that time what is now Valier was farm land. The land originally belonged to Albert and Minnie Mae Valier and to E. M. Rea. Since the largest part belonged to Mr. Valier, the town was named for him.
In 1905, H. B. Scott bought the land for a townsite and in the first part of the same year H. B. Harris bought the coal, oil, and mineral rights to the same land in addition to the mineral rights of all adjacent farm land that he could.
Dinky Train
Approximate years of service from 1920s to the 1950s.
The Dinky train allowed people to travel between towns. Dinky line (or simply "Dinky") is a nickname sometimes used to describe a short railroad line, usually operated with short trains.
People waiting at the Valier Depo (No names on the photo)
The Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad was built through the townsite in 1905 - 06 and people held great hopes for a coal mine soon after that.
Valier Mine
Valier Mine (looking North from the South Tipple)
In 1917, a coal mine for the village began to develop and real estate businesses began to grow. The village was incorporated in 1918 and Walter Stevens was elected the first Board President. (List of Presidents) Because of World War I, coal was urgently needed by the U.S. Government to support the war effort.
General View of the Entire Mine Plant
On the right is the Washhouse. In the center the shop,
the fan and the airshaft tipple and on the extreme left the main shaft.
Bell & Zoller
Working in coal mines is dangerous — miners have to deal with toxic gases, plus the threat of being crushed, drowned, or injured from fires, explosions, and cave-ins. Some miners love it. It can be a family tradition, it's exciting, and the pay is usually pretty good.
reference www.businessinsider.com
Valier Mine (Old Ben 22)
Shift change at the Valier Mine.
Valier Mine
Union Trouble in 1931 or 1932
The Progressive Miners of America (PMA, renamed the Progressive Mine Workers of America, PMWA, in 1938) was a coal miners' union organized in 1932 in downstate Illinois. It was formed in response to a 1932 contract proposal negotiated by United Mine Workers President John L. Lewis, which reduced wages from a previous rate of $6.10 per day to $5.00 per day.
Reference https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_Miners_of_America
Company Houses
To accommodate workers, coal companies built company towns. Life in company towns revolved around the company-owned store.
… You load 16 tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
St. Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store…
.
Many homes had been built in the town because of its elevated location and several more were built around the mine. This section of town became known as the Valier Patch.
Village Wheel Tax tag for a 2 horse wagon around 1920 and Automobile tag in 1929
Wagons mostly used wheels with iron straps (later steel) fastened around a wooden core. These iron tires were very hard on the roads of that time.
Businesses
Left side downstairs of Miners Hall. Pictured are Rusty Lambert and Buster Veal
.
Slade Service Station
.
Standard Station
.
Businesses
Valier Bank
.
Inside Valier Bank
The depositor in the exact center of the illustration is Carl Scholz.
John Krinter Grocery on the Right side
.
Pete & Marys Tavern
Was located on Park Street Road near the bridge
Walkers Cafe
.
Schools
First Valier Grade School
New Valier Grade School
The new Valier Grade School is still standing and being used as the Village Hall and Community Center.
Valier Temporary High School known as Chicken Coop
This building was the 1st High School located South of the Grade School during construction of the new High School.
Valier High School
Valier High School was organized for the 1925-26 school year and the building was demolished during the 1970s.
School nickname: "Blue Birds"
School colors: Blue & White
The Valier High School "Blue Birds" competed in basketball, track, football, and baseball. The Valier High School Blue Birds were truly some of the mightiest of the "mites". The Valier boys brought home an incredible 10 District Championships, 6 coming in the 1940s!
After 38 years, in 1966 the Valier High School and Sesser High School merged to create what is now known as Sesser-Valier High School.
Reference https://illinoishighschoolglorydays.com/2022/03/04/valier-high-school-bluebirds/
Valier High School Basketball Team 1957 - 1958
**1957-58 24 – 7 Waltonville District Champions
Coach Ralph Harkins
Ted Farmer (#51 in photo). Ted finished his career after the 1957-58 season with 2,410 career points which at that time placed him 5th all-time in IHSA history. Ted received a full scholarship to Southern Illinois University for his abilities. (For more info. go-to the site below.)
Reference https://illinoishighschoolglorydays.com/2022/03/04/valier-high-school-bluebirds/
Valier school district consolidates with the Sesser school d
Sesser - Valier Grade & High School
Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District No. 196 is located in Franklin and Jefferson Counties and includes all or part of the towns of Sesser, Valier, rural Scheller, rural Mulkeytown, and rural Benton. There are approximately 725 students enrolled in the district in grades Pre-K through 12, and the School District educates its children in a single school building. The School District employs approximately 58 teachers and about 29 support personnel. Photo from https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/