Coal mining began in the late 1800’s when it was discovered in the bed of the Vermilion River.
The first true strip mining in the country came in 1865 when Henry Cramer opened a riverbank in the Hungry Hollow area west of Danville. Strip mining employed over 4,000 people in the county, helping Vermilion County grow and prosper.
Underground mining followed in 1870 when A.C. Daniels sunk a shaft for the Ellsworth Coal Company in what is now Vermilion Heights. Vermilion County coal production ranked first in the nation by 1925.
In 1932, the United Electric Coal Co. withdrew from the area, unable to obtain more stripping land.
Walldog Artist, Michael Clark
Located: Alley off of Van Buren St on West wall of building at 109 Van Buren St.