A Little History Of Virden
The City of Virden, Illinois is located approximately 25 miles South of the State Capitol of Springfield and is home to residents of both Sangamon and Macoupin County. Virden was first settled in 1829 and surveyed in 1852. It officially became a town on June 21, 1852. The City's first post office began serving the public in 1853.
The City of Virden was originally settled as an area of agriculture and named for John Virden, who owned a local hotel where farmers from the surrounding country would stop to spend the night on their trips from Springfield to Alton as they drove their livestock to market. From 1926 through 1930, America's "Mother Road" - the famous Route 66 - passed through the City.
The City of Virden owes much of its prosperity to mining, at one time being home to three operating mines. The first coal shaft was sunk in 1868 and the great coal beds that underlie much of the surface of Illinois were, and remain, an important factor in the continuing development of Virden.
Of historic significance, the Virden Mine Battle of October 12, 1898 occurred when a train bringing strike breakers was met by striking miners resulting in a battle in which seven miners and five coal company guards were killed and scores wounded. The Virden Mine Battle is still recognized as a landmark event in the history of the labor movement in the United States and October 12th was declared Miner’s Day as a result.
