Carbondale Koppers Justice
This project was funded by Healing Illinois through the Southern Illinois Community Foundation.
The Memorial
A memorial has been erected to honor and remember the people who experienced environmental racism through chemical exposure from the nation’s largest wood treatment plant, in operation from 1902-1991. The facility, located one half mile north of the monument, produced railroad ties and utility poles that were used throughout America. Workers were regularly exposed to exploitative conditions and wood treatment chemicals, including creosote and dioxins. Residents and workers were not made aware of the toxicity and no cautionary protection or information was provided until 2004. The sacrifice of the African American community of Northeast Carbondale is still in evidence today through illness and death. The pollution caused by the Koppers’ Tie Plant continues to impact generations of workers, their families, and residents.
The contaminated soil and water will never be fully remediated. The fight for justice continues.
The History
Generations of workers through decades of time will have their voices heard, so their souls can heal.
The Workers at Carbondale Koppers Tie Plant
Many beloved family members, friends and unknown souls have gone before us in the name of progress and profits. Here we honor their sacrifice. View images.
Robert Ollie
Charlie Brown
Versus Smith
Shelly Chappell
Those Unnamed Workers
Documentary
