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.
