Du Bois: Discover Church History and Mining
Accommodation in Du Bois
Du Bois, Illinois, offers two distinct points of interest for planning a trip: the town’s Catholic history and coal mining, with its connections to the railroad. If you’re looking for a hotel in Du Bois, these topics can help you match the town to the purpose of your trip.
St. Charles Borromeo and Church History
St. Charles Borromeo Church is located at 223 South Third Street in Du Bois. Sunday Mass is listed at 7:00 a.m.; times may be updated. Check the current service schedule before including this time in your travel plans. In the past, tourists from across the country visited the Roman Catholic church for its exceptional beauty.
The Founding of the Community
Du Bois’s origins are also connected to Catholic history. Ten Polish Catholic families founded the community, which was first called Coloma. They had left Europe because of religious persecution under the Prussian Kulturkampf and Bismarck. For travelers interested in the history of Catholic communities, this offers a different perspective on the town than the church’s history alone: it focuses on the founding group, the community’s original name, and the reason for their migration. The founding of the community and St. Charles Borromeo are distinct historical points of interest.
Coal Mining and Railroad History
Two locations should be distinguished when considering mining history. The DuBois coal mine opened in 1865 in the area of the Township of Du Bois. This is distinct from the 300-foot-deep Kuhn Coal Company mine in Du Bois, which was considered the longest-operating mine in the state. The Kuhn Coal Company mine was established to supply fuel for steam locomotives. Its history thus brings together local coal mining and the fueling of rail traffic.
After the Kuhn mine closed, its headframe stood as an unofficial monument to the past. The headframe and surrounding buildings are now gone. The history therefore describes both the mine’s former significance and the loss of its physical remains; the former headframe is not a surviving attraction today.
The Town’s Name and the Purpose of Your Trip
The railroad also features in two other historical contexts. The railroad that ran through Du Bois contributed to the founding of new Catholic parishes in Tamaroa and Posen. Until the Illinois Central Railroad depot was demolished, Du Bois was referred to as “Bois.” These details add the role of rail traffic and the town’s former name to the mining history.
When choosing a destination, you can weigh these themes against one another: St. Charles Borromeo and the history of Polish Catholic families represent the town’s religious and community connections, while the Kuhn mine and railroad history point to industrial change. This can help you place Du Bois in your travel plans before you look for a hotel for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Okawville.
For the broader travel overview: Washington County.
