Supported by:

OFCAC                 Old Forge Community Action Committee.












Our Intent is to preserve the vanishing history and heritage of the coal mines, colliers, and breakers that were located in Old Forge Pennsylvania for future generations, and  to gather all the  information into one location

Help Support the Coal Miners Stamp. Contact the post office or write your congressman and local representatives.
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All Web Site Information is provided by Old Forge Coal Mine Inc. Carl Orechovsky Sibley, Old Forge, Pa. 

LAST UPDATE: 07/16/2010    

Please use your BACK and FORWARD buttons to go from one page to the next **************************

Looking for the history of Duryea Pa.???   Go to: www.duryeapa.com

Visit a real coal mine. Take a trip underground at the #9 Coal Mine, Lansford, Pa.                            # 9 COAL MINE TOUR  

First miner to die in Old Forge: James Reese Feb. 15, 1872, Pyne shaft.

First mine disaster in Old Forge Sept. 28, 1897. 5 miners killed at the Dunn mine, Rendham, Jermyn Coal Co.  Bad air from a fire in the mine.  

Take a trip underground at the Lackawanna Coal Mine at McDade Park, Scranton.

Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour Scranton Pa.

Pa. Anthracite Heritage Museum McDade Park Scranton Pa.

STEAMTOWN USA HISTORY OF RAILROADING, Scranton Pa. 

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine AND TRAIN RIDE, ASHLAND, PA.

Old Forge Pa.    Known as Draketown in 1805. Began as Old Forge Township in 1871. Incorporated as Old Forge Borough 1899. Location:   41*22' 11" North, 75*44' 18" West. Population: 8600 Sq Mi: 3.5 Lackawanna County. Pennsylvania.

LACKAWANNA IRON & STEEL,  IRON ORE MINE EXPEDITION, SCRANTON, PA. OCTOBER 2008.

THE FOLLOWING LARGE FILES MAY TAKE TIME TO LOAD.

IRON ORE MINES FIRST TRIP REPORT

IRON ORE MINES 2nd TRIP REPORT

Help us out send a Buck to cover our expenses. Make a check to Old Forge Coal Mine,       mail to : 1214 Lori Lane Old Forge Pa. 18518

Jack S. in Pa, Thanks for the donation.

Suzan G.  in Pa, Thanks for the donation.

To Chuck in Vernon Ct. Thanks for the donation.

Thanks to Elizabeth in Madison, WI, for the donation, and getting us a matching donation from LexisNexis.

Thanks to John, Patty, & Cathy in Ohio, for the donation.

 

 

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Funding and Grants:            Old Forge Community Action Committee OFCAC:        $ 2,500.00  "Thank You" for the donation to help fund our coal mine research and expand the web site. ******************* 

Penn Security Old Forge Bank:

$ 100.00 "Thank You" for the donation to the  Mine Car Project.

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Mariotti Building Products: "Thank You" for the donation of lumber. *******************

  

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the Coal Mine History of Old Forge Pa.

 

Dedicated to all the men and boys who gave their lives mining coal in Old Forge Pennsylvania.

  

 

 

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       IN MEMORY of a COAL MINER

The following Northern Coal Field Anthracite Miners rode their last trip of cars underground. May they now find the peace and serenity they never had as an Anthracite Coal Miner.

John (Jack) Montague II, 1922-2009, July 3, Kingston.

Albert A. Barkowski, 1911, 2009, July 16, Jermyn.

Robert (Hub) Duffy, 1928-2009, July 20, Askam-Rice Twp.

Charles Magich, 1933-2009, September 30, Swoyersville.

Arthur L. Burnside, 1923-2009, August 20, Duryea.

Carl D. Oakley, 1909-2009, October 22, Carbondale.

John Angeli, 1917-2009, October 10, Old Forge.... John was one of a 5 man search team sent into the Knox Slope after most of the water was pumped out to attempt a recovery of the bodies of the miners who were killed in the  Knox Mine Disaster. They were never found. John was the last remaining of the five searchers. He has now joined  his fellow miners in peace.........

Albert T. Yastremski, ?-2009, October 22, Wilkes Barre.

Edward E. Emeletti Sr. 1922-2009, October25, Nanticoke.

John R. Baer Sr., 1927-2009, October 28, Hunlock Creek.

Walter J. Rauch, 1916-2009, November 2, Forty Fort.

Emery P. Guffrovich, 1920-2009, November 11, Nanticoke.

Albert C. Caines Sr., 1931-2009, November 12, Olyphant, Grassy Mine.

Willard Pifcho. 1926-2009, November 24, Scranton.

John R. Gaul, December 1948, Scranton, Briggs.

John Mishko, February 19, 1963, Dickson City, Marvin.

Pasquale (Patsy) Galella, 1922-2009, December 3, Plains Twp.

Joseph Gustinucci, 1922-2009, December 4, Bear Creek.

Dante (Daniel) Cardoni, 1916-2009, December 3, Plains Twp.

Arthur H. Cragle, 1924-2009, December 9, Shickshinny.

Peter Stanley Lazarowicz, 1921-2009, December 8, Shickshinny.

Edward "Butch" Ginter, 1926-2009, December 14, Moosic.

Durwood G. Smith, 1924-2010, January 14, Plymouth.

John Proietto 1925-2010, January 17, Duryea.

Robert J. Gudoski, 1928-2010, January 20, Sugar Notch.

Robert H. Myers, 1922-2010, January 26, Sweet Valley.

Joseph Chuta, 1924-2010, February 1, Peckville.

Joseph J. Novak, 1916-2010, January 31,Miners Mills, Wilkes Barre.

Paul Pasternak, 1932-2010, February 1, Taylor.

Industrial "Dusty" Yaniello,1914-2010, February 4, Old Forge.

Glyndon Collins, 1916-2010, February 6, Avoca.

Donald F. Williams, February 11, 2010, Wilkes Barre.

Kenneth Eugene Gacek, 1939-2010, February 13, Falls.

James A. Russ, 1918-2010, February 16, Moosic.

John ( Yosh) Rogish, 2010 March 25, Wilkes Barre.

Stephen ( Sam ) Cichy, 1929, February 14, Old Forge. *** Sam was one of the last remaining Old Forge coal miners. He was a member of our group, a source for mining information, and a friend. He will be missed by all of us. ***

John W. Tomkiel Sr., 1934-2010, February 26, West Pittston.

Aloysius J. "Big Al" Kernoschak, 1933-2010, February 26, Carbondale.

Walter Mallick, 1915-2010, March 2, Scranton.

Frank J. Ference, 1924-2010,March 8, Wilkes Barre.

Armond T. Pierotti, 1920-2010, March 27, Peckville.

Robert L. Parker, 1924-2010, March 26, Shickshinny.

Salvatore Morreale, 1927-2010, April 8,Pittston.

Albert Tirpak Sr., 1931-2010, April 23, Larksville.

Octavio Charles Tini, 1922-2010, May 3, Jessup.

Anthony J. Fino, 1918-2010, May 5, West Pittston.

Herman Belardi, 1918-2010, May 12, Old Forge.

Guerino Galli, 1920-2010, Peckville.

Joseph F. Carachilo, 1926-2010, May 22, Carbondale.

Joseph F. Falzone, 1921-2010, May 24, Wyoming.

Stanley P. ( Slim ) Krasucki, 1918-2010, Mocanaqua.

Henry A. Przywara, 1917-2010, Old Forge.

Ledo J. Pisaneschi, 1921-2010, Sugar Notch.

Robert Zaremski, 1953-2010, June 2, Plains Twp.

Paul Mauceri, 1918-2010, June 11, Old Forge.

George T. Cairl, 1920-2010, July 5, Hunlock Creek.

John Pasternak, 1924-2010, July 16, Taylor.

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The following coal miners have passed away long ago. We now list them on the memorial as their descendents notify us. They also never got the respect and honor they justly deserved.........

Mark Ray, Pat Ray, Carl Ray, William Ray Sr. Moosic. William Ray, 1963, Old Forge.

George Huggler,  Fred Huggler, 1949, George Legg, 1979,  John Legg, Old Forge.

John H. Powell, 2005, Old Forge. Jack Nickelson, Dupont.

John Burk, Old Forge. Bill Corbett, Jack Corbett, Old Forge.

John A. Fialko Jr. August 3, 1988, Taylor.  John W. Gnall, October 18, 1971, Taylor.

Anthony Duchak, Taylor, Killed in the mines at age 30.   Stanley Ginter, Moosic.

Joseph Meriesky, Old Forge, Killed in Barnum No.2 Shaft, Duryea, 1947. Along with, Michael P. Cunningham, Scranton, and Frank S. Kurek, Duryea.

Ignatius Branas, November 18, 1957, Old Forge, worked at the William A.

Charles Edwards, Frank Karlak, Alex Marhelski, Charles Marhelski, Frank Smicherko, Alex Szczubelek, Alex W. Youshock, all of Old Forge, and worked the Sibley Slope for Panzitta Coal Co. in Austin Heights 1953

Peter Horyczon, Old Forge, Pine and 190 slope.  Hubert McCrea, Minooka, Continental.

Joseph Pennella, Victor Materazzi, Louis Materazzi Sr. Old Forge.

Stanley Dubernas, Stephen Dubernas, Joseph Kmitch, Frank Bedra, Old Forge.

Patrick Race, Harry Race, Joe Race, Archbald.   Ike Rosser, Old Forge.

Joe Stiroh, Joe Marcelonis, Charles Marcelonis, Duryea. Michael Merkewicz, Shenandoah

Charles Disemoney, Andrew Stafanko, John (Big Smitty) Smith, James Grippi, James Paucucci, William Costeili. Worked at Sullivan Trail, West Pittston.

Jacob Tinklepaugh, Herman W. Tinklepaugh Sr., Harold (Jake) Tinklepaugh,  Francis Patterson, all worked at Sparrowville (PCC No 2 Shaft).

Mykolas Kalinauskas (Michael Kalson) Old Forge.

Herman Armando Santini & Giovanni Battista ( John ) Santini, Old Forge.

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Coal Mine Car Restoration Project: Work Continues on the 1940 Franklin Colliery, Wilkes Barre, mine car at Carl's house. The car was donated by Chris Murley of the Abandoned Mine Research group. It was used by Pagnotti Coal Co Enterprises in their restoration of the 190 Slope at McDade Park, Scranton Pa., which is now the Lackawanna County Coal Mine 190 Slope Tour. Here are some photos of the work.

           

 Carl drilling journal bolt holes in main beam.                Raised body to roll out the carriage.

 

                                 Carriage frame and wheels completed.                         Eye bolt, spring, and tie rods installed.

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 Hayna or No! Dontcha ?

We are an IRS 501 (c) (3) TAX EXEMPT charitable organization, incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a non-profit corporation, Pa. State Sales Tax exempt.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Who we are: We are a group of researchers dedicated to the preservation of Anthracite Coal Mining history and the preservation of our heritage for future generations. We rely on donations and grants for office supplies and funds to conduct research and acquire mining equipment.

What we do: Research and post the history of coal mining in Old Forge, search for the names of miners killed in the mines of Old Forge, educate our new generation about their heritage. Search for hard to find publications, reports, manuals, stories about coal mining and local area history. We are host to the Anthracite Archives, an easy to use, on line repository for all the Anthracite coal mining information and history we can locate.

What is in our future: Research and create additional pages for the industries, churches, and schools of Old Forge. Provide an educational display about coal mining and history at local events. Assist other non-profit groups with similar interest.

How you can help: Please Send a donation. Checks can be made to "Old Forge Coal Mine", mail to: Old Forge Coal Mine, 1214 Lori Lane, Old Forge, Pa. 18518. With the state budget severely cut we are in desperate need of funding resources.

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Contact us at  
Info@oldforgecoalmine.com
Penn Security Old Forge Bank.

 

www.mariottibldgprod.com

 

Please feel free to contact us. We are a not for profit web site,  looking for any and all donations Including pictures, letters, anything historical for our web page. Thank you.

If you have anything to add, or see something that needs to be corrected, or want to contact us, use the following address: Info@oldforgecoalmine.com

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NAMES OF THE COAL VEINS THAT WERE WORKED UNDER OLD FORGE:

MARCY,  CLARK,  BOTTOM CLARK,  NIGGER, TOP RED ASH, MIDDLE RED ASH, BOTTOM RED ASH, 5 FOOT ,  DUNMORE 1&2&3, SURFACE, BIG, MONKEY, CARBON HILL, PITTSTON, CHECKER,  NEW COUNTY, AND POWDER MILL VEINS.

 

****************** List of FORGOTTEN COAL CO NAMES that operated in Old Forge

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We are always looking for any information regarding the coal mines in the Old Forge area. Please contact us. info@oldforgecoalmine.com

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Our thanks to Harald and Caroline DeStefano of DeStefano Computer,   Glen Lion, Pa.  for help in creating this web site. Please visit them at: destefanocomputer.net

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OLD FORGE COAL MINE HEARD ROUND THE WORLD

Carl Orechovsky traveled to Binghamton University N.Y. as a guest host on the local radio station WRHW 90.5 FM  to talk about the Coal Mines and Old Forge history. WRHW is on the internet world wide with a diverse ethnic format.

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From the report: Bureau of Mines, Bulletin 517, Barrier Pillars in the Lackawanna Basin of the Northern Coal Field. 1952:

BarrierPillars:93                      Mines Affected: 48         Total Length: 89 Miles  Underground Pools: 21     Gal. Water Held: 10 Billion Estimated Water pumped to surface between 1944-1948: 44 Billion Gallons.

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Upcomming Events:

 

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Mining terms used in Old Forge

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MASTER LIST of  MINERS KILLED by LAST NAME in OLD FORGE

MINERS KILLED by YEAR in OLD FORGE

Last list up date : July 16, 2010. A  column has been added between name and date. The Two letter designation is for the mine or colliery the miner died at. 460 miners have been identified.

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Index to list of Miners Killed:

O1-Old Forge 1, O2-Old Forge 2, J1-Jermyn 1 & Dunn, J2 Jermyn Mudtown, JE-all Jermyn combined, LA-Lawrence, WA-William A., AU-Austin, SB-Sibley, PY-Pyne, RU-Russell, CO-Corey, MO-Morgan, CH-Carbon Hill.

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PATCH TOWNS OF OLD FORGE:             Austin Heights; Austin was the daughter of the mine owner.     Western Corners;                Barbertown; Mr. Lewis was a barber in the patch.                                Babylon; Babb family operated a foundry in the patch.                    Bush Patch;                            Connell's Patch; William Connell coal operator.                                    Goose Alley; Farmer had large flocks of geese.                            Lawrenceville; Lawrence was the maiden name of W. Connell's wife. Rendham; Town in England where John J. Jermyn was born.     Rosemont;                                Sibley; Brother-in-law of Judge McClure.                                Snyder's Patch;                             Italy Green; early Italian immigrants settled here.                      Raytown;             Grideltown;                         Draketown; settled by the Drake family Carbon Hill; first coal breaker in town. Mudtown; Dirt Main Street.        Nickel Plate;                     Sparrowville; forest roost for sparrows along the river.                           Worlds End; early name for Austin Heights, Sibley, Western Corners area. Little Jerusalem; first Jewish settlers.

Can you fill in the missing pieces?

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HISTORIC TIME LINE of OLD FORGE