Mt Olive is located on Route 138 east of Interstate 55. Mt Olive was changed from Honey Point in 1852. Mt Olive post office was established 27 Jan 1852 and disbanded 8 Aug 1855. Honey Point had been changed from Rising Sun. Rising Sun post office was established 26 Sep 1851 first in Macoupin County then Montgomery County and changed to Macoupin County about 11 Feb 1854. Other settlements becoming a part of Mt Olive were Drummond Station (Drummond Station listed in Illinois Place Names Book - "Now Mt. Olive (1879 hist. 126); East Mt Olive, and Niemann's Settlement. Mt Olive post office was reestablished 23 Aug 1867. RFD Mt Olive in 1867 included Chicago Burlington, Quincy Junction and Karnes. Mt Olive was incorporated as a village in 1874. Mt Olive's population was 2,357 in 1980 and, in 1990, the population is 2,126.

Mine Riot of 1898

Mt Olive - Coal Mine #8

Coal Miner's Side of the Story

Mother Jones Monument

Picture of Mother Jones, Union Labor Leader buried at Mt Olive Macoupin Co IL

"Union Miners' Cemetery Mt Olive IL" contributed for use by S Joan Miley

Mt Olive Library - Mother Jones Pamphlet available for sale.

Mt Olive High School Graduates - 1895-1910

Picture of Mother Jones Monument and Coalminers Grave.

Picture of Mother Jones

Mary Harris, better known as Mother Jones, was known throughout the nation for her dedication to the welfare of coal miners, her support of child labor laws, and her work associated with the United Mine Workers of America.

When Mary Harris, Mother Jones, died at the age of 100 in 1930 in Washington, D.C., union members followed her instructions and buried her in Mt. Olive, a town which she had never lived, with the "Virden Martyrs to sleep beneath the clay with my brave boys."

You are welcome to visit the Mother Jones Monument in Mt. Olive at any time. Mt. Olive is located at Exit 44 on Interstate 55.

For more information contact:
City Clerk
City of Mt. Olive
200 East Main St,
Mt. Olive, IL 62069
Phone: 618-999-4261