Bethlehem Mine # 58 allowed Marianna, PA to
thrive for many years, providing the major source of income for the
town. The owners of the original mine, the Pittsburgh Buffalo
Company, provided miners with yellow brick homes, now known as a
model example of company town housing.
Bethlehem Mine #58 has had a tragic history.
The mine was opened in 1907, and only one year later was the scene
of the 10th deadliest explosion in mining history. There
were 154 men lost in the explosion. The explosion occurred during
shift change, as men entered the mine before the previous shift had
left. Consequently the mine contained many more miners than usual.
Bethlehem Steel purchased the mine following the explosion.
At this same mine, on September 23, 1957
tragedy struck again when an explosion killed 6 of the 11 men
caught in the mine. An underground fire in 1988 caused the mine to
be closed forever.
This cache is placed to honor those miners who
have perished over the years and the loved ones and friends they
left behind.
For
additional information about Mine #58, go to
http://www.coalcampusa.com/westpa/klondike/marianna/marianna.htm