Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals-Springfield Mine Rescue Station
Also known as: Springfield Rescue Station
Why it's listed
Built in 1910 and finished in January 1911, this mine rescue station on Princeton Avenue in southeast Springfield was constructed after the Cherry Mine fire of November 1909, which killed 259 miners. A state law passed in 1910 called for three stations in the northern, central and southern coalfields, with Springfield serving the central region. The Springfield building was the first completed. The Benton and LaSalle stations were later demolished or abolished, leaving Springfield as the last of the three. The wood building has a stuccoed two-story front with living quarters, an office and a workshop, and a one-story rear with a classroom, garage space and a 40-foot smoke room that simulates mine-disaster conditions. A mobile rescue unit garage was added in 1948. The station trained miners in rescue techniques and kept a trained team ready for emergencies. It remains in use by the Department of Mines and Minerals.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the first built and last remaining of the mine rescue stations constructed after the 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster. It was the first permanent facility built by a coal-producing state solely for mine rescue, and it symbolizes early efforts to improve miner safety in Illinois.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85001481, listed July 5, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 609 Princeton Ave., Springfield |
|---|---|
| County | Sangamon County |
| Listed | July 5, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85001481 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific date 1910) |
| Architect / builder | Scott-Morledge Lumber Company |
| Areas of significance | Industry |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and still in service as the Department of Mines and Minerals' northernmost rescue station; condition rated good to fair. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.77478, -89.64817 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85001481.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19880842
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.