Mining legacy of lead and zinc in southeast Kansas region
Southeast Kansas centers like Galena and Treece grew around lead and zinc mines in Cherokee Crawford and Bourbon counties. The Tri-State District, spanning neighboring Missouri and Oklahoma, led the world in zinc production in the early 20th century with many boom towns and immigrant workers. Population rose to about 42,600 in 1900, then declined to 21,555 in 2005 as mines closed. The era shaped camps, labor unions, and a lasting mining heritage still remembered by residents and museum volunteers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kansas
Cherokee
Crawford
Bourbon
Cherokee County
Galena
Baxter Springs
Treece
Tri-State Lead and Zinc
Missouri
Oklahoma
Tri-State
William Powell
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg
Powell
Ringo
Foxtown
Capaldo
East
West Mineral
Weir
Little Italy
Turkey Fat
Crawford County
KGS
Gene Russell
Galena Mining and Historical Museum
Scammon
Balk
Big Brutus steel giant haunts Kansas mining history
The 16 story electric shovel Big Brutus rests near West Mineral after decades of strip mining near Columbus. Operated by Dave Kimrey and Dan Stover, it moved slowly yet powered vast coal digs. Donated to Big Brutus Inc. in 1984, it now sits with a museum and visitor center while state efforts address nearby sinkholes and abandoned mines.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Big Brutus
Kansas University
Cherokee County
Dave Kimrey
Kimrey
Dan Stover
Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Co
Columbus
West Mineral
Kimsey
Stover
P&m
Big Brutus Inc
Kansas
Chevron
New Mexico
Wyoming
Alabama
Lawrence retiree recalls working in coal mine
Lawrence resident Wettstein 81 recalls starting in a Crawford County coal mine at age 12 and enlisting in the Navy at 17 during World War II. He later worked on the surface lifting shafts, faced methane fires, then joined Kansas Gas and Electric before retiring, saying he would never return to the mines.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lawrence
Wettstein v
Crawford County
Wettstein
Pittsburg
Gotrout
Navy
Kansas Gas and Electric Co
Walter Wettstein
Kansas coal mines active amid older strip mining decline
Two small Kansas mines remain in operation: Lucky Strike Mine in Linn County supplying coal to La Cygne power plant, run by Continental Coal Co. of Overland Park, and Garland Mine in Bourbon County operated by Phoenix Coal Co. of Vinita Oklahoma, supplying Empire District Electric plants at Riverton and Oplis Missouri. A Crawford County limestone quarry has produced coal. Kansas coal is bituminous and blended to improve emissions and heat.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kansas
Lucky Strike
Linn County
la Cygne
Continental Coal Co
Overland Park
Wyoming
Bourbon County
Garland
Phoenix Coal Co
Vinita
Ohlo
Empire District Electric Co
Riverton
Oplis
River City Weekly premieres on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6
River City Weekly debuts with a focus on mining impacts and cleanup efforts. EPA Region 7 geologist McCauley, project manager Dave Drake, and Kansas official Col umbus discuss geology, Superfund work, and local environmental issues. Air times include Sunday 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and weekday repeats with on demand availability.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Loneyety
Dave Drake
Also Mentioned on This Page
Maters
California
Rex Buchanan
Kansas Geological Survey
Buchanan
Darrell Shoemaker
Shoemaker
East Coast
Crawford Counties
Cassie Care
Source
Crisis Bureau
Karl Gehring
Journal-World Graphics
Murray. Balk
Randy Johnson
Department of Health and Environment
Rick Schultz
Thad Allender
Journal-World Photos
Congress
Big Brutus’ Glory Days
Mbelt
Ijworld.com
Mike Belt
Schultz Farms
Murray Balk
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Frontenac
Lworld.com
Ljworld
United States
Brady
River City Weekly
Aeron
Srn
Estes Fo
Goa
Tae Ats
Ely Rue
Ncar Ad
Soa Ates
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!