This ad from a 1919 Forest Leaves (another local Forest Park newspaper) features Barr & Collins, which was located at Franklin and Desplaines (present day Davis Tree Care), right next to the Illinois Central Railroad. They sold a variety of coal, lumber and did millwork.
In 1919, coal was the primary source of fuel in homes (furnaces and boilers) and for cooking (stoves) and was also used to fuel trains. It was vital in steel production and was used to fuel street lamps.
Hard coal (Anthracite) is 86-97% carbon, dense, shiny and burns hotter, cleaner and slower and is preferred for home heating.
Soft Coal (Bituminous) is 45-85% carbon, softer and smokes more and is mainly used for steel and energy production.
Jill Wagner
