In Pennsylvania’s Coal Region, mine subsidence has been an issue since deep mining began in the mid-19th century.
The sudden collapse of the earth into old mine workings happened regularly in the 19th century and throughout the 20th century, occasionally swallowing homes and buildings. On more rare occasions, like the Stockton Mine Cave-in of December 1869, it could even prove fatal.
Thankfully that was not the case on the evening of February 20, 1906 as the home at 322 S. 5th Avenue in Scranton, PA collapsed into old workings of the Bellevue mine.
A journalist for the Scranton Times reported the story:
SERIOUS CAVE IN BELLEVUE
2 FAMILIES FORCED TO ABANDON HOMES AS THEY WERE ABOUT TO RETIRE
FIREMEN CALLED OUT
Two families were forced to abandon their homes because of a cave-in on Fifth street in the Bellevue section of the city last night. One house, that occupied by James Shea has sunk into the cave a distance of 8 feet at one corner.
An adjoining house was occupied by [Michael Dougherty] sunk [as well], the cellar wall having given away causing it to lean on the Shea house.
Both houses are over the workings of the Bellevue mine. The Shea family about to retire when they heard rumbling. They fled from the house at once. When they got outside it was found that the house was settling.
The first intimation the Doughertys had was the crackling noise made by the breaking wall paper.
The fires and lights were burning in both houses and to prevent a fire it was deemed advisable to extinguish them, so an alarm was sent in and several fire companies responded and put them out.
It is believed that the worst is over and an effort will be made to raise the houses to their proper level. The Shea house is owned by Mrs. Mary Tuck.
The home occupied by the Shea family and owned by Mary Tuck was later deemed a total loss. The Dougherty home was repaired and still stands on S. 5th Avenue in Scranton.
Read more stories about mine subsidence in the Coal Region
The Stockton Cave-in Disaster | December 18, 1869
Photographs from 1938 document the damage done to homes by mine subsidence in Schuylkill County
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