Following a brief history of company towns in the united states, metheny focuses her study on the mining town of helvetia, pennsylvania in the bituminous coal field. Lost coal country of northeastern pennsylvania by lorena beniquez. Pennsylvania registers of mine accidents, bituminous 1933. Writing this book, i wanted to know more about him and the life he lived, and the coal mining community that exited then. Coal miner records pennsylvania historical and museum.
These mining reports document the productivity and efforts of hardworking pennsylvania miners past and present. Mining history in the united states legends of america. It was once surrounded by many coal mines, such as seldom seen aka old blocks mine, penobscot, waverly aka new blocks mine, penowa, jefferson, aurora, pryor, station, malinoski, hosack. This site is dedicated to my dad, grandfathers, and all the brave souls who worked in the coal mines of pennsylvanias anthracite region, and to their families and friends who call the coal region, and schuylkill county in particular, home many of them for generations. Previous to this time coal was found in quantities in virginia. Its neighborhoods include little italy, swedetown, and polish hill. Popular coal mining books meet your next favorite book. It was the basic energy source that fueled the industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th. Mar 15, 2018 pennsylvanias rich coal mining history features both heartwrenching tragedy and unexpected miracles. Avella is a small town in western washington county, pennsylvania, near the border with west virginia. The reader experiences what the mystery of coal mining. The darr mine disaster is the deadliest coal mining accident.
The available jobs attracted people from around the united states and the world, creating a melting pot of different cultures, ethnicities, and beliefs. Writing this book, i wanted to know more about him and the life he lived. In western pennsylvania this seam c is the great deposit of cannel coal wherever that variety is found. Accidents pennsylvania mines and mining library guides. This book takes us back to a time, not than long ago, when the life.
South park historical society south park, pa 15129. Working conditions were brutal for coal miners, and unionization was violently suppressed. Record group 43, department of environmental resources. Slow fade of the pennsylvania irish the american conservative. The town of indiana became the county seat in 1805, when george clymer of philadelphia a signer of both the declaration of independence and the united states constitution donated 250 acres of. New book explores southwestern pennsylvanias coal region. Roomandpillar mines have been active in pennsylvania s bituminous coalfields since the late1700s. A hybrid history book and travel guide, lost coal country of. Anthracite enters the american home, the pennsylvania magazine of history and biography, vol. Pennsylvania department of conservation and natural resources history of anthracite coal mining. Necho allens campfire, which ignited a hard coal outcropping not far from ashland, blazed a whole new way of life for central pennsylvania.
Coal c occurs from 17 to 18 feet higher, and produces a species of cannel coal. The coal mines, breakers, coal miners homes, and railroads have all steadily. Enman that examines pennsylvania coal and coke communities in such detail as to bring to light a great deal of information that was nearly lost. Interactive atlas of historical coal mine maps in pennsylvania. This website is dedicated to the more than 51,000 pennsylvania miners who died working these mines and quarries, to those that survived, and to those that continue this dangerous work today.
Coal mining numerous books, both fact and fiction, have been written about coal mining. Prospectors scarred the mountains with pits and trial shafts. Century 96th pennsylvania 1918 1918 influenza outbreak abraham lincoln american civil war anthracite anthracite coal central pennsylvania civil war coal coal mining coal region dauphin county great depression harrisburg influenza labor letter. The darr mine disaster is the deadliest coal mining. This book is a good read if you have any interest in the mining history of pennsylvania coal. Fort pitt was located in what is now downtown pitts burgh where the allegheny and monongahela rivers join to form the ohio river. Pennsylvanias rich coal mining heritage has led to many mining accidents over the years, but the darr mine disaster is remembered as the worst in the states history. The coal and coke heritage center at penn state fayette has just published a book by john a. After the boom, the industry began a steady decline that continues to the present day. Coal producers have experienced a wave of bankruptcies and soulsearching. New book examines pennsylvania coal and coke communities in. Apr 25, 2017 child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908. Using oral histories of people who lived in helvetia during the 1930s and 1940s, she examines the relationship between the coal company and the miners and their families.
A walk through the rise and fall of anthracite might. Coal, however, was found in rhode island in 1768 and mined for use. The account book is arranged chronologically by date of entry. Shows householders names in rural areas, realproperty tracts in mining townships, coal mining lands, colliery locations, and anthracite coal seams in gray tint. May 05, 2020 this book set includes maps showing mined out areas and other land use for the anthracite region of pennsylvania. The best books about the pennsylvania anthracite coal region on. Coal in pennsylvania pennsylvania mines and mining. Pennsylvania coal coke 1935 2 25 adamision jr andy 20 nonfatal inside miner american citizen single fall of coal in room cambria 18th 3600 bituminous. Tragedy was not uncommon in the coal mining industry in the early 20th century. Books and some articles relating to coal mining, especially historical. Through music, poems and story telling, they bring to life the good times and the bad of the history of coal mining in central pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania bituminous coal, coke, and communities, will be available dec. Anthracite coal mine act pdf weighing and record of coal mined, etc. Links to pdf versions of pennsylvania coal mine accident registers from 19251932, providing documentation on mining accidents for the commonwealths bituminous coal district, are listed below. A walk through the rise and fall of anthracite might phmc. The anthracite mining region of northeastern pennsylvania extends over 485 square miles of nine counties. Its neighborhoods include little italy, swedetown, and.
After a long and fascinating nearly twoyear journey, a book she authored titled southwestern pennsylvanias coal region is set to be released feb. Pennsylvanias capital, philadelphia, was the site of. Coal was commonly used in europe as early as the thirteenth century. Dirty mines is a story about coal mining in pennsylvania. South park township was established in 1966 but a look at history shows when it really began. Pennsylvanias former mining towns are destinations for reporters. Coal age handbook of coal surface mining 1978 isbn 0070114587.
This digital collection comprises the annual reports of the consolidation coal company from 1940 to 1965 as well as a corporate history published in 1934. He wrote the book coal and coke in pennsylvania for the pennsylvania historical and museum commission in 1996. Early coal mining in the anthracite region pa images of america john stuart richards on. But, december 1907 proved the deadliest month in coal mining history in the united states. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids. By 1828 bustling coal towns filled with opportunists, adventures and fortune hunters were rising overnight. Anthracite coal mining region of northeastern pennsylvania. Author lorena beniquez speaks about history of coal mining at. Coal miner records the pennsylvania state archives hold numerous collections which pertain to persons either employed in or in some way associated with the anthracite hard coal and bituminous soft coal mining industries of the commonwealth. New book examines pennsylvania coal and coke communities.
Coal mining history, disasters, and tours in pennsylvania. Pennsylvania s rich coal mining history dates back centuries to the late 1700s and boomed between 1870 and 1930. No exact match for coal mines and mining pennsylvania schuylkill county. Pennsylvania played a prominent role in the steel, coal and rail industries of the united states. Pennsylvania mining accidents 1814 1986 sherard gerald sherards compilation of records culled from the annual reports of mines and other sources. May 05, 2020 from the pennsylvania state archives, listings of coal mine accidents in pennsylvania from approx. Its a great read, i grew up in northeastern pa, my grandfather was a coal miner.
A tribute to anthracite miners mining, hard coal, and the. Over 15 billion tons of coal have been taken from pennsylvania since mining began around 1760 near pittsburgh. Anthracite coal is a natural mineral with a high carbon and energy content that gives off light and heat when burned, making it useful as a fuel. Beniquezs book, lost coal country of northeastern pennsylvania, is a moving tribute to pennsylvanias legacy and the industrial revolution. The pennsylvania state archives hold numerous collections which pertain to persons either employed in or in some way associated with the anthracite hard coal and bituminous soft coal mining industries of the commonwealth. Its predominant use has always been for producing heat energy. We worked for bethlehem mines from february 1968 until february 1989. The peak year of production was 1917, when 277 million tons were extracted. Coal mining began in pennsylvania in the mid1700s, fueled by the colonial iron industry. Map courtesy chris dellamea click for full size pdf 4.
Child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908. Dirty mines is a historical novel about anthracite coal mining in pennsylvania during the 20th century. Remembering bethlehem mines, bethlehem, pennsylvania. One of the original colonies, pennsylvania was founded by william penn as a haven for his fellow quakers. Wynning history exploring the history of pennsylvanias. Apr 26, 2020 the coal and coke heritage center at penn state fayette has just published a book by john a. The earliest known mention of coal in north america is of that on.
Pittsburghs long history with coal mining isnt so buried in. From the pennsylvania state archives, listings of coal mine accidents in pennsylvania from approx. Marion piccolomini, a native of cardale, fayette county and author of southwestern pennsylvanias coal region, will speak about the areas coal mining history at 1 p. A history of dust disease in british coal mining 2007 isbn 9780754636731 nef, j. The modern practice of coal mining 1907 chirons, nicholas p. Mining was, of course, extremely dangerous, but beginning in 1889, pennsylvania law required miners workers at the coal face to pass a safety examination and have two years prior experience as mine laborers a law that probably enhanced safety and incidentally made it more difficult for coal operators to replace strikers. How a 1897 massacre of pennsylvania coal miners morphed. Pennsylvania registers of mine accidents, bituminous 19331972. Baker towers jennifer haigh january, 2005 bakerton is a community of company houses, church festivals, and firemens parades.
Im a huge fan of historical, well thoughtout books and dirty mines is certainly one of them. How a 1897 massacre of pennsylvania coal miners morphed from a galvanizing crisis to forgotten history the death of 19 immigrants may have unified the. You wont be disappointed, even if you are looking for a more textbooklike format as i was. Various series by acadia publishing chronicle the history of small towns and industries across the country. The pennsylvania department of environmental protections office of active and abandoned mine operations has collaborated with pennsylvania state university to produce the pennsylvania mine map atlas. The two parts of indiana county, north and south of the purchase line, were joined when the county was created by the pennsylvania legislature in 1803. The breaker boys tommy mule symons and stu shaftdigger richards have been performing living history on the anthracite coal miners for over 20 years. Pa mining history department of environmental protection. These 15 rare photos show pennsylvanias coal mining. Among the newly formed townships of allegheny county were st. The coal deposits are pennsylvanian in age 325 million years. Three coal units have closed in southwestern pennsylvania since 2012, including firstenergy corp.
Roomandpillar mines have been active in pennsylvanias bituminous coalfields since the late1700s. The struggles of new immigrants for unionization,1890s1930s. Coal culture projects from indiana university of pennsylvania. This enormous resource contains thousands of detailed coal mine maps that can be overlaid on a variety of base maps for the entire state, including terrain, topographic and road maps, and aerial. Information on these industries can help locate personnel records as well as help the researcher determine what area newspapers might assist their research. Pittsburghs long history with coal mining isnt so buried.
Pennsylvanias rich coal mining history features both heartwrenching tragedy and unexpected miracles. See more ideas about coal mining, coal, coal miners. Anthracite coal mining region of ne pennsylvania this research guide focuses on resources, images, and other resources specific to the anthracite mined area. It was possibly first used in pennsylvania as a fuel in 1769, but its real history begins with a documented discovery near summit hill and the founding of the lehigh coal mine company in 1792 to sporadically send expeditions to the wilderness atop pisgah ridge to mine the dep. Southwestern pennsylvania has a strong history in the coal, coke, and steel industries that helped shape the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Existing communities expanded, and new towns were built by mining companies.
In fact, between september 2014 and april 2016, the industry as a whole in the u. The earliest record of actual coal mining in pennsylvania is shown on a plan of fort pitt and parts adjacent in 1761. This is a family story about the last generation of scranton coal miners. The great bituminous seam near pittsburgh, pennsylvania was struck in 1784. Clair and jefferson, and in 1845 snowden township was formed from parts of these two townships.
Very often persons immigrating to the united states found work in one of these industries. In 1788 allegheny county was formed from parts of westmoreland and washington counties. The coal was extracted from drift mines in the pittsburgh coal seam. Pa state archives rg45 bituminous accident registers. Coal mines and mining pennsylvania fiction to coal trade great britain history 20th century include extended shelves. Early coal mining in the anthracite region pa images of america. Bituminous soft coal was first mined in pennsylvania about 1760 at coal hill presentday mount washington, just across the monongahela river from the city of pittsburgh. Mar 23, 2017 he wrote the book coal and coke in pennsylvania for the pennsylvania historical and museum commission in 1996. The information contained within each report changed over time, with a few additional columns of data included in the later reports, as the volume of. Lauver is assistant editor of pennsylvania heritage the author and editor extend many thanks to steve ling, director, and chester kulesa, curator, of the pennsylvania anthracite museum complex, who provided invaluable information about the mining, processing, and marketing of hard coal. This bookset includes maps showing mined out areas and other land use for the anthracite region of pennsylvania. Dirty mines also addresses the rich history of this era.