Coal Mining Air Fan ~ Centerville, IA
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 40° 43.939 W 092° 52.482
15T E 510580 N 4509050
No mines any more, but once the third highest producing county in this states.
Waymark Code: WM8Z53
Location: Iowa, United States
Date Posted: 06/03/2010
Views: 7
Marker Erected by: Appanoosa County Historical Society
Item Provided By: Andrew Ragona, operator, of the Ragona Mines
County of Marker: Appanoosa County
Location of Marker: Maple St. (IA-2), W. side of museum (old post office), Centerville
Marker Text:
Air fan used at the Ragona Mine north of Centerville.
It was necessary to circulate fresh air in the mines to prevent the carbon monoxide from accumulating and suffocating the miners.
After several years of mining operations, the underground area might become very large and would require a more complex system of air circulation with more powerful fans, sometimes a long distance from the mine shaft.
Gasoline motors could not be used down in the mine because of the fumes, but were installed at ground level, and the air was piped underground. Later electric motors were used.
There was often a small-diameter vertical shaft from the fan down to the mine. There might be a circular stairway or simply a long ladder attached to the wall of the fan shaft to provide access.
This air fan was donated by Andrew Ragona, operator, of the Ragona Mines.