Franklin C: Sesser, IL: Old Ben #21 and #26 Coal Mines

#21: (Satellite)

#26: (Satellite, we can still see where the loop of track was for loadout.)

This is #26:

Larry Joe Jenkil posted
Is this Old Ben 26?

Todd Stevens: Yup. The old plant.

Directory

Directory

Both mines were served by the CB&Q. The route north of #21 was a branch of the C&EI.

1975/77 Sesser and Rend Lake Dam Quads @ 24,000

#21

Apr 17, 1972 @ 24,000; AR1SWFO00010084

#26:

Apr 17, 1972 @ 24,000; AR1SWFO00010060

The two mines are under much of Rend Lake.

Map

Are they now mining the tailings for rare earths? Or are they just decontaminating the land?

Satellite

Street View, Aug 2024