COLES COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MATTOON, IL

Last Minute Changes By the pattern A-train power tends to rotate these days - switching from the Centralia-Gary megalocal to locals on the J and then back to A408 - everything seemed perfect for the IC1000 to be our southbound leader. Well, evidently someone wyed the power, so IC1020 took the lead instead. Womp womp. Not to be outdone, A408 also set off from Gary very early. This has been a pattern for a while, but they were out of Champaign before 6:30am. I also happened to wake up at that time as I expected 7-8am instead, so you can tell how the start to things went. Wild start to the day. Of course, the last thing to change at the last second was autofocus! Of the frames I shot here at Sigel, the last two, which are the two I was planning to pick from and edit after my initial glance afterwards, evidently failed to focus. Unsalvageable, and frustrating. But, all of my last-second scramble up the giant gravel pile (thanks, slow drivers, for the mad dash there) was thankfully not in vain, as a few more frames had survived my camera deciding it didn't want to focus. Huzzah. Probably worked out better that way anyway, the crop here came out just as well if not a bit better than the wider shot I had been going for originally. I guess some last minute changes work out.
Last Minute Changes Credit: Leo Blackwelder

The Coles County Historical Society is a non-profit organization located in Mattoon, Illinois. Its mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Coles County and its residents. The society operates a museum, research center, and archives that showcase artifacts and documents related to the history of the region.

The museum features exhibits on a variety of topics, including farming, industry, transportation, and military history. Visitors can view items such as vintage clothing, antique tools, and photographs of local landmarks. The research center provides access to genealogical and historical resources, including books, newspapers, and maps.

The archives contain a collection of documents, photographs, and other materials that document the history of the county and its residents. The society also offers educational programs and events for the community, including lectures, workshops, and tours.

Established in 1963, the Coles County Historical Society is run by a board of directors and relies on donations and volunteers to maintain its operations. Its goal is to promote an understanding and appreciation of local history and to ensure that the stories of Coles County are preserved for future generations.

COLES COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY is a Historical Societies, Historic Preservation in MATTOON IL. US MID #8401701015

The museum is classed as HSC (Historical Societies, Historic Preservation). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: Midwest (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin).

Last Minute Changes By the pattern A-train power tends to rotate these days - switching from the Centralia-Gary megalocal to locals on the J and then back to A408 - everything seemed perfect for the IC1000 to be our southbound leader. Well, evidently someone wyed the power, so IC1020 took the lead instead. Womp womp. Not to be outdone, A408 also set off from Gary very early. This has been a pattern for a while, but they were out of Champaign before 6:30am. I also happened to wake up at that time as I expected 7-8am instead, so you can tell how the start to things went. Wild start to the day. Of course, the last thing to change at the last second was autofocus! Of the frames I shot here at Sigel, the last two, which are the two I was planning to pick from and edit after my initial glance afterwards, evidently failed to focus. Unsalvageable, and frustrating. But, all of my last-second scramble up the giant gravel pile (thanks, slow drivers, for the mad dash there) was thankfully not in vain, as a few more frames had survived my camera deciding it didn't want to focus. Huzzah. Probably worked out better that way anyway, the crop here came out just as well if not a bit better than the wider shot I had been going for originally. I guess some last minute changes work out.
Always On The Move CN E271 came through the area recently with a surprise - CN 8952, the Grand Trunk heritage unit leading. Probably the nicest of the CN heritage units in all honesty. I got word of its imminent arrival, picked up a friend, and headed up to Rantoul to meet the thing just in the nick of time. Naturally, we wound up chasing the thing for a while, though it did spend a good while in Champaign. We had some shots lined up, but a fast moving train and lighting changing quick, our plans were changing a fair bit too. Looking back, we had some other opportunities we could have taken, but you work with what you've got in the moment. Although we'd expected E271 to head straight through Mattoon, RTC had a different plan and wound up sticking him in the hole at Humboldt. We learned of this when we got to Humboldt and checked the signals out. Amtrak was coming north, so they were sticking him in the siding prematurely. We didn't have enough time to get back to Arcola for a shot, but midway along the Humboldt siding we just nabbed something quick. Golden hour was nearing, but so were long, low shadows that made us have to change plans yet again afterwards. You win some, you lose some, you learn some. Something neat worth noting is the 5-pack of 48ft intermodal well-cars that headed up the train. 48 footers are becoming rarer and rarer, making this just a little more neat than it already was.
Limpkin Lake Charleston, IL, USA
Limpkin Lake Charleston, IL, USA
Limpkin Lake Charleston, IL, USA
Limpkin Lake Charleston, IL, USA
Limpkin Lake Charleston, IL, USA
American White Pelican Lake Charleston, IL, USA
American White Pelican Lake Charleston, IL, USA
American White Pelican Lake Charleston, IL, USA
American White Pelicans Lake Charleston, IL, USA
Making Plans For Sigel Across my many long treks following CN A408 and A407, there are a myriad of small towns dotted along the old Illinois Central mainline. Farther south on the Champaign sub is the little community of Sigel - a location I've overlooked in the past a few times. Just 6 miles north of Effingham and named after a Union civil war general, Sigel hosts... very little. About the usual for the tiny towns in Illinois, really. But, it is home to some aging grain elevators and bins and the like, making it a spot I've wanted to make work for a while, but I never had much luck with it - never enough time to scout it out properly. Conveniently, A408 had to meet with a northbound UP grainer back at Neoga, so I had the chance to explore a little. I wanted to frame the IC SD70s alongside the aging, rusty grain equipment, but the crossing was a bit too close for my liking. The old intermediate signal did catch my eye, and remembering how CN has replaced these signals over the past two years up north, I figured it would be worth shooting - the old crossing with its actual bell also made for a worthwhile target. I had a longer wait than expected, as A408 just... didn't show up. Probably had to wait for the UP grainer to do something, but boy it sure took its sweet time - which wasn't stellar as it was hot as hell down there! The less rusty grain bins and the small shed beside the spur track offered a little shade, at least. IC1005 and IC1022 finally popped up over the slight hill and distance, and my wait was over - and so was my chase! Nice to finally get out of the house and shoot something fun for once.

Contact COLES COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

COLES COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
1320 LAFAYETTE AVE
MATTOON
IL
61938-4005

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COLES COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Information

MID # 8401701015
Name COLES COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Alternate Name COLES COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Classification Historical Societies, Historic Preservation, , Midwest
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) 371084585
NTEECC A82
Tax period of the latest return filed (YYYYMM)
INCOME 0
REVENUE 0
LAT/LONG 39.47948, -88.370402
CODES FIPS State Code: 17
FIPS County Code: 029
US Census Tract: 001100
US Census Block: 2017