Lansford, Pennsylvania

Culture, History, Science

The No. 9 Coal mine was opened in 1855, but its origin traces back ten years earlier. A large anthracite coal deposit called Mammoth Vein was the focus for most mining in the Lehigh Valley. Major mine systems in the Summit Hill area produced a great deal of coal from the Vein. Unfortunately, the quarry had to be abandoned due to flooding. Mining companies decided to attempt another drilling into Mammoth Vein. Between the years of 1853 and 1856, these attempts met with many difficulties, including cost. Finally, in December of 1857, the No. 9 coal mine had been driven far enough to encounter coal. The next month, the mine was contracted to produce 90,000 tons of coal per year.