Two weeks ago, I went riding where I grew up in Central PA. My goal was to find a mine tunnel that I hadn't seen since I was 15 years old (35 years ago). I searched for this tunnel many times over the past 5 years to no avail... but always in the spring or summer. Now, at long last, I found it because it was autumn and the leaves were gone! Easy to see how I could have missed this when the brush was fully grown-in. Another view. With a lovely motorcycle in front. The mine looks like a hungry monster. I researched the history of this mine. It took the lives of over 40 men in its history from 1856 to 1938. 1856 - 1914 Entering the beast. Up to the intentional cave-in point. Scary to imagine the miners would actually go almost 1.5 miles into the mouth of this beast to work. Every day. 14 hours a day. 6 to 7 days a week.
Excellent stuff, krieg! I totally dig the old structures and the history that goes along with them. Thanks for posting up, and congrats on finding what you were searching for! WoodsChick
Cool Photo's! Those were some tough men to work in those tunnels. I couldnt imagine what it would be like, to work in those conditions and wondering if today was the day you were going to get buried alive. And even if you do survive a long mining career. Black Lung to take your life early.
I rode back in the day (when I was 14 or so) around old coal mine areas near Pittsburgh Pa. Upper St. Clair area, There was a cool spot next to a polluted lake named Lynch Ponds, where there was a glowing red hot 3 foot hole in the earth We used to through anything we could into it and it would vaporize from the intense heat. It was our warm spot during the winter snow. Come to find out recently it is a coal mine fire that has been burning for something like 60+ years! Have been wanting to return with my bike to check it out sometime. Also looked on Google Earth to find another spot I used to ride is now a transit station. Man, where have the years gone?
It was owned by Reading in the 60's. That particular area is owned by the State but leased to a privateer mining company.
My dad use to work in the coal mines back in the 30's in West VA and they were a scary place to work for sure. Krieg I wouldn't want to be around that mine after dark it looks spooky enough in the day light. Cool pics.
