The Coal Miner

At the urging of Vachel Davis, a Southern Illinois coal miner, poet and artist, state Rep. Paul Powell introduced a bill to appropriate $15,000 for the creation of a monument honoring the Illinois coal miner. Davis worked with Tinley Park sculptor John Szaton to transform Davis’ famous painting into a 7-foot bronze statue. About 200 people attended the dedication ceremony on Oct. 16, 1964. The plaque identifying the sculptor and dedication date was added on Dec. 7, 1981. Sculptor: John Szaton, 1964