Eureka Coal Heritage Foundation

History

Often these people left their country with only what was on their back or what was in a small bag. Upon reaching America, the first order of business was to find a job. Many immigrants were attracted to the coal industry because of its great need. The coal industry prospered at the time and was a steady source of income. Magyars (Hungarians), Slovaks, Poles, Carpatho-Russians, Italians and other nationalities joined the work-force of the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company in Windber, Pennsylvania.

Immigrants were provided with housing by the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company. Each house contained the same number of rooms and was about the same size. They were all designed in an orderly grid-like system across the town. To the right is a diagram for one of these homes. The house shown is a duplex home where two familes would live. Duplex homes were often created to save materials. Neighborhoods were situated near the mine where the family would work. This would help the family avoid any need for transportation to or from work. Each day the miners would walk to work, mine for several hours, then walk home. During the day fathers went deep into the mineswhile young boys in their mid-teens would be chosen for mining in tight situations or would serve as 'breaker boys'. There was a place for almost everyone in a mining community.

During the time when most of the men were working in the mine, mothers and sisters worked at home. They typically bought their household goods such as soap, dishes, or linens at the Company Store. To the left is a view of the main Eureka Department Store. It dates from 1899 and stands on the east corner of 15th Street and Somerset Ave. Buying goods outside the 'Company Store' drew frowns from the coal company; therefore, it was important to purchase goods from the company. In addition, workers were able to use 'Mine Credit' or 'Scrip'. They bought items in good faith then later the bill was deducted from their checks. Most often, this led to a dependency on the coal company; however, families still squeezed out enough money to survive.

In times of leisure, families would find it relaxing to go to a show at the Arcadia Theater (right). There they could enjoy plays and vaudeville presentations. In the mid 1920's, the theater began to present 'talkies.' These were the first black and white movies with sound. This represented a new leap in the world of technology and entertainment. Residents of Windber could also enjoy some time at the recreation parks and facilities provided for them. They held church gatherings, pageants, dances, and weekly bingo. Residents also had the opportunity to participate in local 'home team' sports. These types of recreation created a pleasant diversion from the long hours spent in the mine.

Windber was founded in 1897 by the Berwinds, a family of entrepreneurs who made a fortune in the coal industry. They used this fortune to systematically design a town complete with houses, churches, banks, schools, company stores, theaters, and even some recreation areas. To the left is the Berwind-White Headquarters, later turned into the Windber Borough Building. Windber and its satellite communities were laid out around mine entrances. Residents were assigned housing near their mine entrance. Each neighborhood was provided with its own electrical generator to light the mines, businesses, and homes. Many of the churches in these neighborhoods were built as a direct result of a Berwind-White donation.

To the right is Mine Number 40, which became Berwind-White's most efficient mine. Mine Number 40 demonstrated new mining techniques, state-of-the-art coal washing and loading facilities, and was used to test mining equipment. In 1913 the mine established a national record of just over 800,000 tons for the largest single, annual production in a bituminous coal mine. Mine Number 40 also became the largest producer under Berwind-White, in terms of coal mining and sales. The Berwind-White Coal Mining Company closed the mine in 1962. Eureka Mine Number 40 and its 'patch town' remain one of the most intact early 20th century establishments in existence today.

Photos of: Mine 40, Berwind-White Headquarters and Eureka Department Store were taken by Jet Lowe, HAER Photographer