Although known more for flooding disasters, Johnstown was also the site of one of the deadliest accidents in US mining history. The mine operated from 1856 to 1931 to supply coal to the Cambria Iron Works operation below the stone bridge via a trestle over the river. The mine employed mostly recent immigrants from Poland and Slovakia.
On July 10, 1902, a methane explosion resulted in the deaths of 112 miners. The remains of the mine’s ventilation tunnel are still visible at the posted coordinates along the James Wolfe Sculpture Trail on Yoder hillside. Approximately 8 of the Wolfe sculptures are displayed along this trail, either direction from the Mine. Do NOT enter the tunnel. The mine portal is visible further along the hillside toward the point, but is less accessible and it is sealed. Do not park at N40-19.743, W78-55.588, find a responsible place to park to access this trail.
The mine reopened 4 days later. Sightings of phantom miners have been reported on the sculpture trail since. At its peak in 1922, the Rolling Mill Mine was the largest mining operation in the country using a single portal. The mine workings covered 10 square miles underground with the furthest working face being 5 miles in from the portal.
Our JAHA series features six cultural and historical sites in Johnstown and has been placed to demonstrate that micros can be an appropriate container size in some urban settings without being pointless lamppost or guardrail caches. If you enjoy this cache series, try our full size caches. We consider all micros to be difficult, so we’ve rated each of them as we would see them. Other cachers may find them to be much easier. Please replace exactly as found. Do not drop. Some caches in the series will require more stealth than others. Bring your own pen and nano retrieval tools. Just initial the log. DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN LID.
If you spend more time looking for the container than you’ve spent enjoying the setting, you’ve missed the point of this cache.
Any log containing spoilers of location/container will be deleted.
This cache placed with the assistance and permission of Johnstown Area Heritage Association (JAHA).
This is Featured Cache #14 of the Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Geotrail, which highlights the scenic and historic amenities of the area. Be sure to collect and record the Geotrail Code Word from in (or near, in the case of micros) the cache to your official Geotrail Passport, which can be obtained from the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. A map and list of all caches featured in the Geotrail can be found at visit link. or they can be bulk downloaded from the bookmark list. Geotrail Code Word is posted under the adjacent historical plaque.).
Trail is currently closed due to vandalism of the Wolfe scuptures. Sculptures are currently being refurbished and trail will reopen upon their return. You'll find the interim codeword for the Geotrail on the display beside the "Trail Closed" sign under the tracks. The codeword is the last name of the person quoted in the very upper right corner of the plaque.