Parts of the city, Parkfields, Monmore Green, Rough Hills, Portobello and Bilston, were areas where coal mining took place.
Early mining and development
Mining began in the area in the 14th century. Coal is known to have been dug at Bradley by 1315, at 'le Hayeschute' near Wednesfield in 1325 and at Bilston by 1401.
By the 17th and 18th centuries coal mining had expanded rapidly. The system used to work the mines in the area was known as the 'Butty' system. Under this system a contractor or 'Butty' agreed to supply coal to the owner or leasee of the mine at a set price.
Gin Pits
The mines in the area of Parkfields, which were shallow workings were known locally as Gin Pits. Coal mines in the Bradley area of Bilston tended to be deeper and needed a deeper shaft and more machinery to extract the coal.
Photograph of a Gin Pit at Parkfields, 1893
Decline and closure
By the latter part of the 19th century much of the shallow coal had been removed. Coal that was situated deeper underground was obviously more difficult and more expensive to extract, which explains the closure of a number of mines in this period.