Pana Pioneer Heritage Guild - Coal Creek Village

Pana Pioneer Heritage Guild - Coal Creek Village We offer a site for tours, showing how the pioneers lived and worked, a place to host events upon requests, and more. Dimensions are 19 X 25 feet.

Pana Pioneer Heritage Guild was organized in 1981 for the purpose of rescuing a two-story log house that had been converted to a barn in the distant past. (It was replaced by a two-story white frame farm house southeast of Pana.). There were 6 people involved in the first effort. This building was built in 1849 by William and Mary Jane Edwards Pryce. Dismantling of this structure began in August

2021 due to deterioration caused by weather and insect infestation. Salvaged lumber is being stored off-site as new replacement logs are being crafted at a Moweaqua mill, and a proper foundation constructed from stones that once supported the Methodist church in Pana. The second two-story house came from rural Findlay and was built by Joseph and Mary Foster. It is 20 by 24 feet. Although it reportedly was built in 1849, land records show Joseph purchased the land in 1851. The third house, 1 1/2 stories, was built by Madison and Elizabeth Neal (Neil) in rural Cowden. It is 15 by 17.5 feet. The lumber is sawmill cut and was built approximately 1870. It has been converted into a general store-post office with loft. The fourth is the only one-room cabin at the village, having been built in rural Irving in Montgomery county in 1834 by the Ludewick family. It is 12 x 14 feet with stone foundation. While referred to as a blacksmith shop, a portable forge is used outdoors. An extended roof allows for smithys to work in the shade. Coal Creek Village is available to the public between May and October.

11/15/2025

November's meeting has traditionally included a potluck prior to business affairs. Let us know if that is being olanned for Monday's PPHG session....postponed. >> Read on:
P.S. PPHG will start with meal at 5:00 p.m. NEXT Monday, Nov. 24, a potluck! Meeting following, all at Sportsman's Club. Some interesting, important topics on agenda!

2025 Coal Creek Days
09/01/2025

2025 Coal Creek Days

08/30/2025
08/30/2025

It starts today at 10 - Coal Creek Days. All are welcome to visit with craftsman and other demonstrators of pioneer -era skills, equipment, and lifestyle. On site are wood-carvers, blacksmiths, tanners, leather workers, a woodwright, and local historians. Entrance to the Village is on the north east corner of the Pana Tri County Fairgrounds.

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06/21/2025

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🇺🇸 Richard L. Chaplin Sr. 87, of Vandalia, IL, formerly of Pana, IL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at The Haven of St. Elmo.

Per Richard’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 23 at Pana First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Allen Ebbler and Pastor Wayne Clevenger officiating. Military Rites will be accorded immediately following the service by the Pana Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will take place at a later date in Pinhook Cemetery, rural Vandalia. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight or to Got Your Six Support Dogs. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hohltandfilefh.com.

Richard Lee Chaplin was born on August 30, 1937 in Taylorville, IL, the son of Henry Lester and Ruth Isabelle (Seybert) Chaplin. He married Lila Marie Crigler on December 02, 1961. Together, they raised three children and celebrated 63 years of marriage.

Richard was raised on a farm and began his first job hauling milk for Prairie Farms in the early 50s. He enlisted in the United States Navy and, after his discharge, married the love of his life and started a family. Along with being a husband and father, Richard worked various jobs, including farming, construction, Terminix, and the Hillsboro glass factory. Richard cherished the simple pleasures of life, such as cross-stitching, reading, and imparting life lessons to his grandkids.

He was a member of AMVETS and the Pana Pioneer Heritage Guild. As part of the Pana Honor Guard, he performed military honors for fallen comrades. He was also a devout member of the Pana First Church of the Nazarene.

Richard is survived by his wife, Lila Chaplin of Vandalia; daughter, Melinda “Sue” and husband David Denning of Vandalia; son, Richard Lee Chaplin Jr. and wife Crystal of Fredericktown, MO; son, Jarold Joseph Chaplin and wife Linda of Watson; sister, Ruth Ann and husband Bill Cope of Litchfield; sister, Sandra Kay Dilley of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Mike Chaplin, Catherine and husband Alex Ruebenacker, Richard Lee Chaplin III and wife Verenea, Daniel Chaplin, Joseph Chaplin, Cody Chaplin; great-granddaughter, Evangeline; many step-grandchildren and step- great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Donald Eugene Chaplin, Dale Edward Chaplin, Mary Louise Webb, Wilma Joyce Williams; grandson, Justin Chaplin; and an infant granddaughter, Tasha LeAnn Chaplin.
Online Condolences & Obituaries available at www.hohltandfilefh.com

Arrangements by Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL

06/09/2025

Giggles & Glue is a mobile creative arts workshop designed to cater to children, adolescents & young adults aged 5-20. We also host craft and sip events for adults 21 & over.

Address

229N 2500 East/Fairgrounds Road
Pana, IL
62557

Telephone

+12175623222

Website

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