Roslyn in Kittitas County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Roslyn Coal Mining
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
1. Roslyn Coal Mining Marker
In 1886, Northern Pacific Railroad mining engineers located large seams of coal and the town of Roslyn was founded.
Coal mining, though dirty and dangerous work, attracted large numbers of immigrants to Roslyn Serbians, Croatians, Poles, Italians, Lithuanians, and others. During an 1888 strike, the Northern Pacific Coal Company brought in hundreds of African Americans as strikebreakers. Despite the rough reception, many made Roslyn their home.
In the first decades of the twentieth century, competition from other mining regions and sources of energy, such as oil, led to a slow decline in coal mining in Roslyn. In 1963, economics forced the closure of the last large commercial mine in the area. Today, four-fifths of the coal deposits remain unmined.
Erected by Washington Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 52.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location. 47° 13.347′ N, 120° 59.702′ W. Marker is in Roslyn, Washington, in Kittitas County. It is on West Pennsylvania Avenue 0.1 miles west of North 1st Street (Washington Road 903), on the right when traveling west
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Columbia Basin and in Yakima Valley. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Cascade Range, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Douglas A. Munro (approx. 2.4 miles away).
Regarding Roslyn Coal Mining. In 1978, the Roslyn Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Roslyn National Historic District Roslyn, Kittitas County was nominated to the Trusts Most Endangered Historic Properties List for 2010.
The City of Roslyn is a National, State and Local Historic District. Many structures suffer from deferred maintenance and neglect, in some cases resulting in demolition. Furthermore, the Historic District is endangered by the continuing loss of the thousands of acres of forested perimeter surrounding the town. Sales of forest land to private investors and development companies have already affected Roslyns historic resources. Without consideration to the towns historic core, additional development, if unchecked, may continue to erode the historic fabric that makes Roslyn one of Washingtons truly unique and significant historic centers.
Also see . . .
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
2. Wide view of the Roslyn Coal Mining Marker
Located at the Roslyn Museum, the marker is in front of the outdoor display of coal mining equipment.
The museum is a reflection of Roslyn, a richly seasoned ethnic mix that once represented more than 20 nationalities. Coal became the common denominator looming larger than language barriers or culture. The result was a way of life unique to company towns. (Submitted on November 26, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
2. Roslyn, Washington. Preserve America Community website entry (Submitted on November 26, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
3. History Link.org. Roslyn Mine Disaster Article By David Wilma. Also displays image of Coal Miners Memorial statue.
Worst coal-mine disaster in Washington history kills 45 miners at Roslyn on May 10, 1892.(Submitted on May 11, 2024, by Robert McGee of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
3. Coal Mining Train
A steam-powered locomotive at head of the train with coal cars, now at the Roslyn Museum.
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
4. Artifacts of Roslyn's King Coal past
Fully loaded with coal and tailing, the cars are part of the coal train on display at the Roslyn Museum.
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
5. Artifacts of Roslyn's King Coal past
The mucker was used to clear and load loose rock at mine entrances.
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
6. Artifacts of Roslyn's King Coal past
The portable water pump was used to keep the mines from flooding with ground water.
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
7. Artifacts of Roslyn's King Coal past
The Bull Wheel was put at the top of the tailings pile to haul the rock car up to the top of the dump by a cable and a hoist. The cable is hooked the hoist at the bottom of the pile and threaded through the Bull Wheel at the top pulling the rock car up dumping its load rock out.
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
8. Artifacts of Roslyn's King Coal past
Sullivan Ironclad Continuous Coal Cutters were used to undercut the coal so it can blasted from the vein and loaded into coal cars.
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
9. Kerstetter Cabin (1932)
Built by one of the first forest rangers in the Wenatchee Forest, it was originally located near Iron Creek and moved to the Roslyn Museum in 1977.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,862 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on November 26, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
