| Brier Hill, PA |
There's not much left of Brier Hill, Pennsylvania. At one time, however, it was the site of a very prosperous coal mining
and coke oven operation, and the home to those who worked the mines and ovens. It also boasted the nation's smallest
post office, which is still there to be seen. The original coke works was constructed to produce coal for a steel company
in Youngstown, Ohio. The coke ovens probably ceased operations by the 1930's, but the mine remained active after
that, dumping refuse on top of most of the old ovens.
The company I work for had recently fixed up the Honor Roll there, and somebody who had grown up there was gracious
enough to allow me to scan her collection of pictures. I have no idea who to give photo credit to, because she tells me
they were collected from various sources, but in the interest of preserving history I will post them here. Clicking on any
of the images will embiggen them for you.
Note: Most of these photographs are of Brier Hill, but some are of other interesting things of the area. I got them all
from one source, so I'm lumping them all together here. There was writing on the back indicating where and when they
were taken, I've done my best to include that information here.
and coke oven operation, and the home to those who worked the mines and ovens. It also boasted the nation's smallest
post office, which is still there to be seen. The original coke works was constructed to produce coal for a steel company
in Youngstown, Ohio. The coke ovens probably ceased operations by the 1930's, but the mine remained active after
that, dumping refuse on top of most of the old ovens.
The company I work for had recently fixed up the Honor Roll there, and somebody who had grown up there was gracious
enough to allow me to scan her collection of pictures. I have no idea who to give photo credit to, because she tells me
they were collected from various sources, but in the interest of preserving history I will post them here. Clicking on any
of the images will embiggen them for you.
Note: Most of these photographs are of Brier Hill, but some are of other interesting things of the area. I got them all
from one source, so I'm lumping them all together here. There was writing on the back indicating where and when they
were taken, I've done my best to include that information here.
| These six pictures were dated 1910, all are from Brier Hill. |
Captioned "1920's possibly"
Captioned "1920's St. Hedwig"
Bridgeport (now South Brownsville)
mine entrance, 1953.
mine entrance, 1953.
Brier Hill, 1950's
Brier Hill, 1950's
Brier Hill Garage, 1950's. This
building burned down in the last few
years.
building burned down in the last few
years.
Brier Hill Honor Roll, 1950's.
Brier Hill Mine, 1950's.
Brier Hill Mine, 1950's.
The playground, 1954-55
The reservoir, 1957
The reservoir, 1958
Brier Hill School, no date given.
Bridgeport Mine, 1953
Brownsville bridge, 1952. Carries old
U.S. Route 40 to this day.
U.S. Route 40 to this day.
Brownsville Lock no. 5, July 1954
Brownsville train station, 1950's with
Monongahela Railroad steam
locomotive.
Monongahela Railroad steam
locomotive.
Captioned "Church Interior"
Coke ovens `Smoky Row', 1950's
Edgar Thompson Works, 1953.
Anybody who has even been to
Kennywood will recognize this scene.
Anybody who has even been to
Kennywood will recognize this scene.
Fredericktown Ferry, 1950's.
Though it's impossible to tell from the
picture, due to the timeframe it is
very possible that my great
grandfather was running the ferry.
Appears to be taken from the
Fredericktown Side.
Though it's impossible to tell from the
picture, due to the timeframe it is
very possible that my great
grandfather was running the ferry.
Appears to be taken from the
Fredericktown Side.
Locomotive and slate cars. This
photo is dated Mey 24, 1923. Rail
service was via the Redstone Central
Railroad, a Monongahela Railway
company (not 100% sure of the
corporate setup of it, I could be
wrong)
photo is dated Mey 24, 1923. Rail
service was via the Redstone Central
Railroad, a Monongahela Railway
company (not 100% sure of the
corporate setup of it, I could be
wrong)
Route 40 towards Uniontown from
Brier Hill, 1950's
Brier Hill, 1950's
Route 40 at Brier Hill, 1950's
`Smoky Row' 1947. Somebody has
drawn an arrow on the picture.
drawn an arrow on the picture.
`Smoky Row' 1950's
Superintendent's House. L.D. Perry,
1952.
1952.
Under Brownsville Bridge, lock 5,
1950's.
1950's.
Vesta Mine no. 5, 1952. Actually,
this shot shows its prep plant across
the river in LaBelle, as well as the
slate dump there.
this shot shows its prep plant across
the river in LaBelle, as well as the
slate dump there.
| That's all, folks. I hope you enjoyed them. Back to the main page |
