Coalpail.com Forum

Live in NYC. As part of book research on 1877 violence in Scranton and Reading, I'm planning a week's trip through mine country (my second -- first was in July 2001; only fitting the second should be in winter, eh?). Must spend a day or two in Scranton and in Pottsville, for specific research needs. Otherwise, would like to view Sunbury, Shamokin and if I can locate it, Mt. Laffee. specifically the site of Gowen's mining venture there before he turned into the "Napoleon of American railroading" -- that is, when he was just one more bankrupt leaseholder of a mine property. (He's no friend of mine, I just hope to unravel some aspects of his particular monomania / megalomania, and the land everywhere whispers tales otherwise untellable, if only we listen....).

Any leads on locating any Mt Laffee mine(s) will be hugely appreciated; as well as any alternate suggestions of sites to take in during the limited time I have available.

Thanks to any and all in advance.

-- Doug

I know this is a very old post, but I know a place that might be of interest to anybody else out there;

Just outside of Freeland Pa, about ten miles east from Hazleton, there is an old company mining villiage that the movie "The Molly McGuires" was filmed in. It is now a museum open to the public. I drove thru it a couple of years ago, boy those shacks were small, had to be a hard living out of the hole too.

For the life of me I can't recall the name of the place, but if you called any Gov't office in Freeland, they'll be able to tell you about it.

I believe you're thinking of Eckley...

You might also stop by Jim Thorpe, and perhaps the LansfordNo. 9 mine and museum if you have time.

Yup, Eckley miners villiage is the name. Thanks, good link too.