In 1938, Tower City residents opened the Herald newspaper to despair: The Brookside Colliery - lifeblood of their town - was shut down as “unsafe and unprofitable.” Pillars robbed, tunnels flooded, 1,200 jobs vanished; families turned to relief, WPA, and bootleg mining. The mining era in Williams Valley's history was coming to an end. Read the full story.
The first funerals following the East Brookside Disaster in 1913 marked a beginning of mourning rituals following Schuylkill County's deadliest mine disaster.
Discover the story of the East Brookside Mine Disaster on August 2, 1913—the deadliest mining accident in Schuylkill County's history. Learn how a series of explosions at the East Brookside Colliery near Tower City, Pennsylvania, claimed 20 lives and impacted the entire Coal Region community. Explore the investigations that followed and the lasting effects on local mining practices. Read the full story.
Film from the early 20th century shows collieries above Tower City, Pennsylvania in full operation.