Richard Nolen helped build the mining communities of northern Dauphin County. In 1865, he described how much they had changed.
An early historian’s description of Lykens and Wiconisco at conclusion of Civil War
As Confederates invaded Pennsylvania in 1863, the coal mines of northern Dauphin County were in chaos
When the Army of Northern Virginia invaded Pennsylvania in June 1863, the coal mines of the Keystone State were left vulnerable.
“All honor to the ladies” – The women of Williams Valley cast their first vote
On November 2, 1920, the women of Williams Valley cast their first ballots under the 19th Amendment.
“Incidents of a by-gone age” – A description of life in the Coal Region before the Civil War
Uncover rare firsthand accounts of 19th-century life in Pennsylvania's coal region before the Civil War. In this exclusive interview, Catherine Myers shares her experiences growing up in Williams Valley, offering unique insights into daily life, culture, and the early days of coal mining history. Read the full story.
“Baseball fever” – Williams Valley’s 1906 season featured pro players, violent fans
In 1906, a small valley in Pennsylvania's Coal Region caught a case of baseball fever. The towns were never the same again.
“Stick to the Union” – Factory girls supported union miners during Coal Strike of 1902
Coal miners across Pennsylvania went on strike in 1902. They couldn't have succeeded without the ladies.
Parade to raise money for World War I brought deadly influenza to Williams Valley in 1918
"Good music always has an appeal to most people," wrote a reporter accompanying a Liberty Loan Drive parade through Central Pennsylvania in the early fall of 1918. And in the coal towns of Dauphin County's Williams Valley, the bands and singers were particularly successful in attracting a crowd. On the evening of October 2, 1918, … Continue reading Parade to raise money for World War I brought deadly influenza to Williams Valley in 1918
“And where’s Williams Valley?” – An 1877 travel guide pointed visitors to western Schuylkill County
A writer and his friends rode the Reading Railroad to write a travel guide. They reached the end of the line in Williams Valley.
“Hungry Fans Plan Big Welcome” – Baseball Star Jake Daubert Returns in 1919
Baseball fans from Upper Dauphin County gathered in Harrisburg in August 1919 to watch a local hero play for the Cincinnati Reds on City Island.
First-baseman Jake Daubert went from Pennsylvania’s Williams Valley to National League MVP in 1913
Daubert played his first professional baseball in Williams Valley in 1906. A decade later, he was an MVP and World Series champion.