Bathhouses for mine workers became a typical part of the infrastructure at an anthracite colliery in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region in the early 20th century.
One such facility in Shamokin, Pennsylvania was highlighted by The Colliery Engineer magazine in July 1913.

From the publication:
“The bath house for the use of miners was built during 1912 by the Mineral Railroad and Mining Co., at their Cameron Colliery, Shamokin, Pa.
Similar bath houses have been erected at both Pennsylvania and Richards collieries, near Mt. Carmel, excepting that there are no bath tubs in the latter…”

The facility had lockers for 224 men, had heat and electric lights, and included “notices of the rules to be observed [that] are conspicuously displayed and are printed in several languages.”
Read more about Shamokin, Pennsylvania
Donald Tarr killed at Burnside Colliery in Shamokin, Pennsylvania | 1922
A colorized postcard of the Glen Burn Colliery at Shamokin
An artist’s view of the village of Shamokin in 1851
The Shamokin Uprising – July 25, 1877
Subscribe to the latest from Jake Wynn – Public Historian
Enter your email below to receive the newest stories.