As Williamstown, Pennsylvania approaches its 200th anniversary in 2026, the story of the town – and the massive coal operation that gave it life – is in the spotlight.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Joe McClure of PennLive / The Patriot-News about Williamstown’s origins, its role in the Coal Region, and the rise and fall of the Williamstown Colliery, once among the largest coal producers in the world.

Growing up in northern Dauphin County, the ruins of that colliery shaped my understanding of place and history long before I ever called myself a historian.

This article traces how coal built Williamstown, the dangers faced by generations of mineworkers, and how the community has carried that legacy into the present as it prepares to mark two centuries of hard work, resilience, and change.

You can read the full article at the link below. (Note there is a paywall, but you can sign up for a 7-day free trial – or support local journalism with a subscription!)

Dauphin County’s Williamstown once ranked among world’s largest coal producers | Column

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