On December 1, 1871, the Kalmia Colliery breaker burned to the ground, nearly killing a night crew of workers trapped inside by the fumes.
Fire at Kalmia Colliery in Schuylkill County nearly claimed lives – December 1871
Toxic gasses from a burning coal mine claimed the lives of two Tamaqua mining officials in 1858
Pennsylvania's anthracite coal fields have long been known for long-lasting mine fires. The most famous of these environmental disasters continues burning today beneath the empty town lots known as Centralia in Columbia County. Mine fires were a feared menace dating back to the first underground mines in the region. One of the early mine fires … Continue reading Toxic gasses from a burning coal mine claimed the lives of two Tamaqua mining officials in 1858
“A very thrifty, interesting place” – A visit to Tamaqua during the Civil War
A travel writer made a detailed entry about Tamaqua, Pennsylvania in the summer of 1862.
An August 1962 report warned of escalating disaster in Centralia
An August 1962 news report documents the early efforts to squelch an escalating mine fire at Centralia, Pennsylvania.
Response to our post about Centralia and its possible future
A look at some of the responses to our post about Centralia and its possible future
Viewing Centralia and its ongoing mine fire as a historic site
What if Centralia became a historic site? What stories would we want to tell of a Coal Region ghost town?
“A Blazing Coal Mine” – Susan Dickinson’s account of the 1870s Empire Mine Fire
Writer Susan Dickinson provided the New York Herald with vivid updates of the 1874 Empire Mine Fire.
Investigating the 1877 Lykens Mine Fire – The Pennsylvania Mine Inspector’s Report
The Pennsylvania Inspectors of Mines report details findings about the devastating mine fire in the Short Mountain Colliery in Wiconisco Twp.
One Year in Hell: The Aftermath of the 1877 Lykens Mine Fire
In Lykens, Pennsylvania the year 1877 was spent in economic desperation after a devastating mine fire.
Wynning History 