The Gillespie/ Benld area has a rich heritage because of its ties to the coal industry.  The region has sizable numbers of people of German, Italian, Irish, Scottish, Slavic and Russian descent drawn to the region by mining.  The region is dotted with more than 20 old coal mines.

Benld is home to the Coliseum Ballroom, which once played host to musical giants such as Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington the Everly Brothers and Ray Charles. Benld is also home to The Holy Dormition of the Theotokos Russian Orthodox Church, the only church in Illinois under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia. Tours of the church will be available during the Tour de Coal.

Both Gillespie and Benld are on the original alignment (1926-1930) of Route 66 through Illinois.  The 63 mile route uses alignments of Route 66 in the Staunton - Mount Olive area and passes by the grave site of Mary "Mother Jones" Harris, a prominent labor activist in the late 1800's and early 1900's.