History

In the late 1860s and 1870s, the increased productivity and profitability of the Bonne Terre mines led to the construction of substantial frame dwellings, marking a period of development and expansion. Engineer Albert Shepard and his wife were pivotal figures, constructing a two-story frame building in 1869 that served as both their dwelling and a hotel. This building, with its rear two-story wing and separate one-story frame kitchen, stood as a testament to the thriving community and was later moved to its present location on Main Street.

As the community continued to flourish, the establishment of a post office on April 19, 1876, marked a significant milestone. Renamed to “Bonne Terre,” the town saw further growth with the laying out of the original town plan and the construction of residences along Church, Main, School, and adjacent streets. Notably, the town plan exhibited a unique design, departing from the standard grid pattern. It featured main streets converging at a central public park area adjacent to the mines, where the company’s offices, stores, and other buildings were situated. The streets radiated out from this central park in a northwest and southwest direction, with School, Main, and Church Streets designed to accommodate company managers, foremen, and officials. Additional streets were laid out for worker residences, including a section known as “Bogy Town” west of Division Street and “Hunky Hill” to the east of the mines, predominantly inhabited by workers from Hungary. The town’s layout was carefully crafted to optimize the use of space, with most public and company buildings concentrated in a compact area at the intersection of School, Main, and Church Streets. A triangular-shaped park adorning this intersection, complete with a gazebo, served as a central communal space. Furthermore, the strategic placement of residential areas shielded them from the smoke and fumes emitted by the mills, emphasizing the thoughtful planning that underpinned the community’s development.

In a description of Bonne Terre from 1879, it was noted that most dwellings were small, unpainted buildings of box construction, typically consisting of two rooms with an attic reached by an outside stairway. The town had few larger frame residences, with many log dwellings still being occupied. Only the superintendent’s stone house and a frame residence owned by the Desloge family, which has now been razed, were considered “palatial” by the town’s standards. This suggests that most buildings in the town were small worker houses, and that the majority of the existing residences were built after 1880. A map of the community was published by the company in 1884, which further illustrated the development of Bonne Terre. By this time, a number of large residences had been built on Main Street, Church Street, School Street, and Park Street. The first building occupied by the Congregational Church was located on Church Street, and numerous company buildings were on Main Street west of the mining area. Worker housing was located to the east of the mining area on “Hunky Hill,” and a section populated by black workers was situated to the southeast of the mines.

The earliest remaining residences, such as the Shepard House on Main Street and the Superintendent’s House on Oak Street, stand as enduring symbols of this period. These structures, including the Superintendent’s House built of stone construction with rounded arch windows and eave brackets, bear testimony to the architectural legacy of Bonne Terre and the foresight of its early inhabitants.

Over the years, Bonne Terre evolved into a thriving hub of mining activity, demonstrating the resilience and perseverance of the community.

The Bonne Terre mine, developed by the St. Joseph Company, was accompanied by an opening adjacent mine to the north operated by the Desloge Mining Company. Originally owned by the Pratte family, the land was sold to Firman Desloge following the success of the Bonne Terre mine. Promptly, Desloge started mining operations by constructing a mill, furnace, and sinking several shafts. This mine was situated across the road from the St. Joseph property, and the road became known as Division Street (now Benham Street) to signify the distinct properties of the two mining ventures.

During these late 1800s, the booming mining industry in the town of Bonne Terre was faced with a transportation challenge. The St. Joseph Company and the Desloge Mining Company, both operating successful mines in the area, struggled with the lack of direct rail connections, which hampered their operations. To overcome this obstacle, the two companies decided to join forces and combine their capital to construct a narrow gauge railway. This innovative solution involved laying tracks from Bonne Terre to the nearby town of Summit, where they could connect to the Iron Mountain Railroad.

The construction of the railway was no easy feat. It required meticulous planning, coordination, and hard work. The tracks were carefully laid out, running adjacent to the mining mills and through the rugged terrain of the region. Despite the challenges, the vision for improved transportation facilities kept the project moving forward.

After months of dedicated effort, in January of 1880, the St. Joe and Desloge Railroad was finally completed. The new railway revolutionized the transportation of ore from the mines to the Iron Mountain Railroad. It not only alleviated the transportation problems faced by the mining companies but also provided a more efficient means of shipping their products.

The St. Joe and Desloge Railroad proved to be a profitable venture for both companies, opening up new opportunities for growth and expansion. It became an integral part of the region’s history, symbolizing the power of collaboration and innovation in overcoming challenges. As the trains rumbled along the tracks, transporting valuable cargo and connecting the mining operations with the wider world, the railroad brought a sense of progress and prosperity to the town of Bonne Terre, leaving a lasting mark on its history.