In December 1873, a 4,000 foot tunnel was completed through Big Lick Mountain in Dauphin County. Williamstown Tunnel opened up Bear Valley for profitable coal mining.
The completion of Williamstown Tunnel – 1873
Massive explosion near Williamstown smashed buildings, jolted residents awake in November 1900
The accidental explosion in Bear Valley, in Schuylkill County, could be heard as far away as Harrisburg.
Wynning History 