Black Gold: The Area's Coal Kingdom
Windber is at the heart of a vast coal mining complex developed by the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company. This “model town” attracted immigrant laborers from Eastern and Southern Europe, who made this one of the largest coal producing regions in the nation. Windber was also a site of labor strife that ultimately led to improved wages and better working conditions.
- Coal Mine display at Miners Memorial Museum
Coal Mining Attractions
- Miners Memorial Museum
While visiting the Johnstown Flood Memorial, stop by for a glimpse of the region’s coal mining heritage at the Miners Memorial Museum. Located along Lake Road. Open seasonally. Adams/Croyle Recreation Authority 132 Park Road South Fork, PA 15963.
- Seldom Seen Mine
Seldom Seen Mine offers an exciting unforgettable trip deep underground where coal seams, millions of years old, were dug by hand, loaded on cars and hauled from the mine by mules. Former miners personally guide tourists and share details of their work experiences. Many of the tour guides are descendants of the immigrant miners who toiled in these Pennsylvania country coal banks and worked hard loading coal on a production basis for as little as 25 cents a ton. Located on Rt. 36, four miles north of Patton. Open Saturdays and Sundays in June; Thursday-Sunday in July, August. Group tours scheduled for 25 or more May, September, October. Tours given noon to 5 p.m. Please phone for rates and additional information. P.O. Box 83 Patton, PA 16668 814-247-6305 coal mine; 814-674-8939 off-season; or 800-237-8590 year-round www.seldomseenmine.com
- Portage Station Museum & Theatre
The Portage Station Museum and Theatre is a newly-renovated 1926 Pennsylvania Railroad Passenger and Freight Station Museum. Features Pennsylvania Railroad artifacts, exhibits, train viewing, and the award winning video “63 Men Down” that details the story of the Sonman Mine disaster of 1940. Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 12-5 p.m. Museum open all year. Portage Area Historical Society, 400 Lee Street, Portage, PA 15946, 814-736-9223 www.portagestationmuseum.org
At one time, western Pennsylvania produced about one-fourth of America’s coal, and miners lived and worked in “coal patch” communities. The Eureka Mine-40, the last mine to be opened by Berwind-White in the area, was established in 1905. The mine was the last mine to be closed by the company and was thus the site at which the company tested and showcased new techniques in mining efficiency. At its peak in 1913, annual production at Mine-40 was just under 800,000 tons. Miner’s housing at Scalp Level, which includes about 110 two-story, wood-frame duplexes, is arranged on a four street by two street grid. In addition to the houses, there was a company-owned general store and a school at Scalp Level. Open Seasonally. Located on Old Scalp Hill off Route 56 East of Richland, 2 miles northwest of Windber. (814) 467-5646
