Boreholes in a field next to the Youngstown patch (background) in North Union Township are actually monitoring wells for an underground coal fire that has been burning for thirty years. (February 2005 photo)
Noreen contributed this photograph and writes, "I understand this is the Bumblebee Mine. My uncle tells me Bumblebee was located about 1/4 mile up the railroad from the Shoaf mine."
Another great picture from Noreen, this one of Hope, Pennsylvania, which she describes, "This is Hope taken in 1932. The first building on the left is a tavern. I believe this is still standing. In the far back on the left side of the picture, you will see
several 2-story white houses. These houses were on the road that would take you to Uniontown. This dirt road ended at Hope."
Noreen sent in what is probably the only surviving photograph of the coke ovens at Hope. "My father took this picture of the Hope ovens - I recognize his handwriting on the front of the picture."
This loadout on the edge of the city of Connellsville appears active from a distance, but on closer inspection seems idle. (March 2003 photo)
Tom sent this photo of the company store at Continental No. 3 and writes, "Continental # 3 and Newcomer are the same. The patch and the mine were built and opened in 1903. My great grandparents moved there in 1903 also. My great grandfather
was killed there in a slate fall in 1908.
Here is the first photo I have. It's a shot of the company store at Continental #3 which I mentioned previously was erected in 1903."
Tom also sent this photo and added, "[This] photo is of the Union Supply Gas Station. [I h]ave no idea when it was built. But my grandfather owned and operated [it] for well over 20 years after his retirement in 1960. The house in the background of the same color is where they lived."
Derelict stripping shovel sitting on the edge of Fairchance. (December 2002 photo)
Coal mining in Fayette County continues into present times, as evidenced by this picture of a modern strip mine. (Courtesy Coal and Coke Heritage Center, Penn State Fayette)
21st Century coal mining in the Connellsville Coke Field - high quality bituminous coal from the Redstone Seam stockpiled at the Burd Surface Mine. (April 2003 photo)