ANTHRACITE COAL REGION, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

The evolution of the anthracite coal region began hundreds of millions of years ago. At that time, Pennsylvania was home to wetland forests; as the vegetation died it accumulated into vast quantities of decomposing organic matter. Over the ages, tremendous pressure from layers of sediment transformed this peat like substance into coal. In regions where the heat and pressure were particularly intense the resulting coal was a very hard type, consisting of nearly pure carbon content. It is commonly known as anthracite. Photos depict William Penn and Lost Creek, both were company owned coal towns with homes, stores, bars, etc controlled by the coal and railroad industry. Some of these homes are still operational and are privately owned now. The coal pit pictured is in Wadesville, north of Pottsville.