Coaldale: Traces of Anthracite Mining

Coaldale is historically closely linked to anthracite mining. The town was founded in 1827 after anthracite deposits were discovered in the surrounding area. The Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company founded Coaldale as a center of coal mining. To this day, the town preserves historic buildings and landmarks that recall this past. This offers a clear way to explore the area: Coaldale’s mining past can be combined with its religious heritage, while other mining and architectural history sites lie nearby.

Mining History in Coaldale

One specific commemorative site is the Mary Harris “Mother” Jones Historical Marker at the intersection of Route 209 and 1st Street in Coaldale. It was dedicated on October 25, 2002. The marker provides a single, named point of reference; the preserved historic buildings and landmarks more broadly recall Coaldale’s past in coal mining. Together, these illustrate different forms of local heritage: a memorial at a specific location and traces of an entire mining history.

St. Mary Church: History and Orientation

The history of St. Mary Orthodox Church in Coaldale began in 1909. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on September 26 at the English Public School on Philips Street in Coaldale. The church had been built by May 1914; its iconostasis and icons were created later. The icons were modeled on those at St. Vladimir’s Cathedral in Russia. In Orthodox churches, an iconostasis is a screen decorated with icons that separates the sanctuary from the nave. The blue domes serve as a landmark for finding St. Mary Church in Coaldale. The town’s history thus brings together architecture, religious design, and a distinctive landmark.

Mining Nearby

The No. 9 Mine Museum is located near Coaldale in the historic “Wash Shanty.” On display are tools, blasting equipment, and household items from the mine’s history. After restoration work, the No. 9 Mine reopened as a museum in 2002. The tour includes a 1,600-foot ride on a mine car into the mountain and a 600-foot guided walk. The two figures refer to different sections: a longer ride into the mine and a shorter route on foot. This comparison gives a sense of the tour format without equating the two types of distance.

Historic Buildings in Tamaqua

Nearby destinations also include the Tamaqua Historic District. Its traditional central business district is characterized by closely spaced two- and three-story buildings. The Reading Railroad Terminal Building is also in Tamaqua, on North Railroad Street; it is listed on the National Register. The two historic sites highlight different features: the Historic District focuses on the buildings of a business district, while the terminal is a single railroad building. Together with Coaldale’s mining and church history, they offer a picture of the area’s varied local and regional historical themes.

Discover more destinations: Minersville, Frackville, Girardville, Pine Grove, Pottsville, Zion Grove, Mahanoy City

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