Dowell is a village in Jackson County, Illinois, United States.

Town founders George Dowell and William Lafont were among the first directors of the bank.

[9][10] The bank closed in 1932 following embezzlement charges against its president, William Lafont.

[14] Coal mining brought many eastern European immigrants to the village, including Rusyns.

[20] The mine was closed in November 1946 after the coal vein was no longer accessible.

[25] The town hosted a baseball team that consisted of players who worked in the Kathleen Mine.

[27] With the departure of the Kathleen Mine, Dowell has become a quiet residential community.

25.32% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.39% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[30] U.S. Route 51 passes through the eastern side of the village, leading south 9 miles (14 km) to De Soto and north 5 miles (8 km) to Du Quoin.