A Tribute to Anthracite Coal Miners
This monument is dedicated to the thousands of anthracite coal miners whose labor under inhuman working conditions served as an inspiration to people of the United States and to the world. The heroic contribution of the miners is unparalleled in the history of our nation.
Historians cite the beginning of the American Industrial Revolution during the 1840s in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area. It was discovered that anthracite coal was superior for heating factories and running machinery. A number of small factories producing various products sprouted throughout the coal region. Coal and iron were used to manufacture iron rails which started the booming railroad industry.
Coal was the power that fueled the American Industrial Revolution, the massive power that contributed greatly to victory in the Civil War, and two World Wars leading to the United States' becoming the most powerful nation on earth.
The prosperity and growth of our nation was accomplished at at terrible price. For over 100 years, the underpaid, overworked miners toiled under horrific conditions. Mining was a filthy, exhausting, and life-threatening occupation. Over 50,000 miners were killed while hundreds of thousands suffered from black lung disease and many other serious ailments.
Our nation and its people owe a debt of gratitude to the anthracite
this page online
--Benefactor, Andrew "Hank" Evanish
Dedication, Sept. 2001
--Sculptor, Franc Talarico
Erected 2001 by Andrew "Hank" Evanish.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions • Man-Made Features. A significant historical month for this entry is September 2001.
Location. 41° 24.948′ N, 75° 42.806′ W. Marker is in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in Lackawanna County. Memorial is in McDade Park, along the access road to the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum,. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 Bald Mountain Road, Scranton PA 18504, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rock Loader (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Loading and Supply Dock (about 600 feet away); Scranton's History Mule (about 600 feet away); 9-11 Memorial (about 600 feet away); Mobile Fire Fighting Equipment (about 600 feet away); Dynamite Magazine & Cap House (about 600 feet away); Franklin Colliery Coal Mine Car (about 600 feet away); A 13,000 lb. Black Diamond (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scranton.
Also see . . .
1. History of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Region. (Submitted on July 16, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Coal Miner Records at Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission Archives. (Submitted on July 16, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Anthracite Coal Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. (Submitted on July 16, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 427 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on July 16, 2017.
