Brownfield, PA - Redstone Mine

J.W. Moore Coke Company opened the Redstone mine and coke works in 1881. The patch town of Brownfield was constructed to house the employees, and was probably named for the previous owner of the property, Benjamin Brownfield.

This company, as J.W. Moore and Company, had earlier opened coal and coke facilities farther north in the Connellsville Field at Mammoth. Coke giant H.C. Frick Coke Company acquired two-thirds interest in Redstone in 1889.

By 1893, Frick owned 100% of Redstone. When Frick Coke became part of U.S. Steel in 1901, Redstone became a property of that corporation. The plant closed in 1927. Nearly a century later, remnants of the town and mine still remain.

July 2024 image by author The Brownfield Methodist Church was constructed in 1897.

Coal company houses in Brownfield — July 2024 image by author “Salt box” coal company houses likely dating to the 1880s.

Independent section of Brownfield — July 2024 image by author These houses are part of Brownfield, but are a part where the surface was not owned by the coal company. It was the "independent" part of town.

Foundation of Redstone mine engine house — July 2024 image by author The stone foundation on the left once supported Redstone mine's engine house. On the right are a few of the remaining company houses.

Former B&O Railroad crossing in Brownfield — July 2024 image by author Looking down through Brownfield where the former B&O Railroad crossed the road. To the right of the road, in the background, are trees where I believe partial remains of the Redstone beehive coke ovens can be found (near a gun club). On this day, however, the dense foliage and high temperatures kept me from investigating.