Exploring The Avondale Mine Disaster Site

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[@prairieflower427]

Thanks for the history lesson. People worked so hard in those mines. The owners usually were no good idiots that didn't care. "It took the September 6th, 1869, fire at the Avondale Colliery in Plymouth, PA, and the deaths of 110 anthracite miners to focus the public's attention on mining safety. From 1839 to 1914, over 53,000 coal miners were killed. In response to the deaths in the Avondale disaster, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in 1870, created the first inspection law for anthracite mines. The law was extended to Pennsylvania bituminous coal mines in 1878. Other states followed suit with their own laws and through 1880 the horrific rate of fatalities in coal mines began to decline."

[@fireteamalpha3754]

And then the Knox mine disaster happened in 1959 ending coal mining in northern Pennsylvania

[@mikechristasmysteries7383]

Thank you for being real and not fake that's y we love your videos and can't wait to meet u

[@mrs.chandler9384]

You sound like a stalker. Sent your info to the FBI

[@bonniemoreland8558]

That 2 story building was the "Lamp Building" where the Lamp Men gave out the head lamps..top was offices..

[@dmfj1980]

Sounds like you might consider making a video of this incident yourself. It seems a bit odd to me how people create video's without completing investigatory preparations. This guy made an attempt at it but I've done minor research with very little effort and discovered several several other details about this. Learn your facts and do some research before making a mediocre video with half of the details missing is all I'm saying. I feel like the 100+ that lost their lives deserve to have their story told as accurately as possible. It's not my intention to hurt feelings

[@bonniemoreland8558]

@@dmfj1980 I did the research on the place..just like to know the history 🇺🇸

[@supermamamaxi]

Thanks for the tour! Sad back story but thankfully there are safer regulations in place.

[@roncooper8666]

I always enjoy the historical narratives as you take us on these outdoor adventures. The stark landscape gives little hint of Springtime. A very sad-tragic story set against the final throes of Winter seems eerily apropos. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[@karenpacker8862]

Very tragic story. Those poor men and families. Glad they cleaned it up!

[@e612spectral]

Another great video from right here in, Pennsylvania!

[@benfrankog6111]

New subscriber here, just wanted to say I love your videos. Keep up the good work my friend.

[@joankamp4513]

I hate I when people trash places. Glad t was clear up.

[@edl246]

Joan Kamp It’s a damn shame people have to walk to the site, or not even be able to get to it, because of the low life that dump their trash and make the entire railroad bed a dump site. They need to put game cameras all over and really hammer people that deface or litter. Take vehicles , homes , whatever they own, including their freedom if need be. That will send a message

[@vikkinicholson2300]

@@edl246 Pa. does seem to be lax in taking care of the trashing problem.

[@adamtereska8734]

I bet I've been past this location 1000 times and never realized it was there. I will have to explore this. Great video.

[@RhettyforHistory]

That is such a sad and tragic story to hear about. It would be a thought thing for the community to absorb. I'm glad we learned in changed things from it.

[@buddylight2191]

My Grandfather worked in the mines some where around Tower City, but left and moved to Delaware to seek work I think in the late 40's or early fifties.

[@rosemarykasper4001]

What a sad story. Thank goodness lessons were learned from it. Thanks for sharing! 🥀

[@shelbygirl4382]

Is there a memorial with the names of the men that lost their lives in that mine. ?

[@buffplums]

Thanks for sharing the story mate

[@577buttfan]

One of the few channels that gets a thumbs up 1 second after I click play.

[@jeffhull9977]

AWESOME Video Wandering Woodsman. About 16 minutes into this video when your at the building that has the collapsed roof, you can hear a high pitched "EWWW" sound . Maybe a female spirit. It happens when your walking up the stairs while your talking. There is a broken out window partly exposed to them to. I played that section of video over and over and heard that odd vocal "female" sound. I really enjoyed watching this video and hope you can hear that also. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your video's also. Happy Easter to you.

[@montanamountainmen6104]

Great video. My home of Butte, Montana had the worst Hard Rock mining disaster in history. The Granite Mountain/Speculator Mine disaster of June 8, 1917, occurred as a result of a fire in a copper mine, and was the most deadly event in underground hard rock mining in United States history. Most men died of suffocation underground as the fire consumed their oxygen; a total of 168 miners were killed. The Butte, Montana copper mines were at full wartime production to support the US for the Great War. Miners had been seeking improved working conditions, as they were at high risk. As part of a fire safety system, the mining company was installing an electric cable into the Granite Mountain mine. The cable fell in an area approximately 2,500 feet below the surface and was damaged. When a foreman with a carbide lamp tried to inspect the damage, he accidentally ignited the oil-soaked cloth insulation on the cable. The fire quickly climbed the cable, and turned the shaft into a chimney, igniting the timbers in the shaft and consuming oxygen in the mines. A total of 168 miners died in the ensuing blaze, most from asphyxia. Some of the deceased did not die immediately; they survived for a day or two in the tunnels underground. Some left notes written while they waited in hopes of rescue. A few managed to barricade themselves behind bulkheads in the mine and were found after as long as 55 hours. The miners went out on strike to protest working conditions and the many deaths after the disaster.[1]

[@micahlamilton5442]

Thanks for the history.

[@gregkellow4723]

There is so much mining history in the Wyoming Valley. The Knox disaster put the brakes to the underground mines throughout this valley. Strip mines continued. Now they're trying to clean up that mess by putting warehouses on the culm sites they remove. You really should visit the Ashley Planes site too. That was how the coal got out of the valley.

[@daveyjoweaver5183]

Thanks for this great video WW! It was a nice tribute to those who lost their lives and the families left behind. A good chimney on a stove or fireplace seems almost to suck the logs up the chimney, if it well designed. So this disaster sounds like this, a fire with a good chimney. And in those days the miners lightening was a flame, which could easily start a fire with a great chimney. A tiny spark could quickly turn into a major fire. And if the gases it was drawing out of the mine were flammable, even more so. I did hear an EVP in your video. When you were in the first floor of the last building and you said you were going to take some pictures, as you approached the stairway inside, right after you say this you can hear a mans voice saying something. It was at the 1528 mark. Listen just before and you will hear it. With the proper features on you of you could clean it up and enhance it. Great story and video. One can imagine their last thoughts when they realized they were trapped. Touching how family members were huddled together and doing their best to comfort their sons. Mining isn't easy and very dangerous indeed, even today. Peace Brother WW and a Fine Spring! DaveyJO

[@TravelwithAustin]

Really awesome ruins left behind, but a sad history. Glad they turned it into a historic site. I live near the Millfield Mine Disaster and I've heard you aren't allow to visit the ruins at all anymore.

[@vikkinicholson2300]

The site of the Avondale colliery photos shows a major complex of large building and a very tall wall...wow....and now to see it returning to nature, it is still an awesome site sitting in the woods. Glad to hear they cleaned it up!

[@donnicholas7552]

Sad story. Nice to see it's cleaned up.

[@patcheslove5139]

That's a very sad story and it's not much better today, depending on the area where you live . Thank you for a great look around .

[@michaelpugh4894]

Great history on that mine. Love your videos.

[@kathygalloway2990]

Yes so very heartbreaking! thanks for sharing

[@marypozzi5297]

You did a great job with this story

[@ducaticanine]

i like watching your videos. just found u. like ur demeanor. can’t wait for the next one

[@mountainwoman5713]

Love all your videos. Such a sad place , and sad history.

[@577buttfan]

Sad story,but it would be awesome to get down in there and take a look.

[@CheapestGamer]

That Private Property/No Trespassing sign at the top of those outside stairs at that last building seems like a new addition as I don't recall seeing that in the video JPVideos did on this site a while ago.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

They weren't placed on the actual buildings, they were up near the road. I wan'st quite sure what they were saying was 'private property'

[@wilfredomendez3450]

Sad to know what happened here long time ago, but I'm glad there was some lessons learned and new regulations and safety measures came out from this experience, saving more lives in a near by future. BTW was the dirt bikes prearranged as a grand finale for the video ? just kidding, thanks for sharing.

[@rabignall]

Thank you for all you do. Love the history and the sights. Thank you.

[@mikepech1648]

It's always sad someone always have to sacrifice their lives to have safety rules and equipment to be made compulsory.

[@AmericanPatriot-bp7cu]

Good job. Good subject.

[@nickmad887]

Yes Cliff I repeat watching.. Thanks

[@bloodybonescomic]

Back in those days miners worked with the understanding that mining was dangerous and you could get killed or injured. So you had to accept that if you wanted that pay. The owners were not responsible for you. If you got killed, often as not they'd bring your dead body home and leave it on your kitchen table.

[@enrico7342]

150 years ago in 3 days

[@geoffreyjones2000]

Maybe you should get a hard hat...I've always wanted one of those vintage aluminium ones :)

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

I have a hard hat, just didn't have it along on this trip.

[@obscureadventures5349]

what a cool adventure! I will definetely be out here for a visit!

[@bradishear9369]

Back in the 70's Alice Cooper was thin enough to slip through those vents over the mine portal with relative ease & get inside. I wonder if he is game to join me in some mine exploration.

[@danmathers141]

It occurred to me that damage in the two buildings might have been intentional.

[@paulcondie2520]

Another very big and very sad mine disaster was the knox mine disaster where they mined into the Susquehanna and killed alot of men also ruined the mining in a huge area! There are actual vids on the tube, happened in 1959. It created a huge whirlpool and in vid it shows throwing everything from rail cars to school buses in the whirlpool to clog it up! Very interesting!!!

[@JPVideos81]

I made a video of that location.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

I plant to go there someday.

[@paulcondie2520]

The Wandering Woodsman watch one of the original videos of the accident! The whirlpool is almost unbelievable when they throw coal cars n school buses in to try n plug it up! Crazy

[@JPVideos81]

@@paulcondie2520 i included the original footage in my video. Its one of the first ones that pops up when you search it.

[@paulcondie2520]

JPVideos i used to have to take mine safety classes in Pa here. I work for an asphalt paving company and they would throw in one of the vids just cause it was so interesting and almost unbelievable how destructive the know disaster was. Not sure which one to be exact just know it shows them dumping coal cars n school buses and also huge rocks trying to clog up the huge hole. Almost unbelievable to see the vid!

[@edl246]

You were 1 minute from my home. Site is in Plymouth Twp actually.

[@beverlykennedy126]

Coal mining is a very dangerous occupation, bad air a very real happening as was fires it takes a long time for a coal fire to burn itself out. One must admire the courageous men who worked in those damp dark holes. Love your videos Cliff please stay safe . Pa. Has lots of deep dark holes.

[@UKAbandonedMineExplores]

Can see why they closed it off, there is some major delamination of the ceiling there.

[@vikkinicholson2300]

delamination?

[@buffplums]

That’s awful, what a terrible way to die, those poor guys. I think the Cornish miners who really were at the lead in terms of mining must have found it essential to have vent shafts.

[@PrimephotoStudio]

Great video!

[@chris_mic]

Some of the victims are buried at the Washburn St. Cemetery in West Scranton. It's not far from the Anthracite Heritage Museum at McDade park and not far from Downtown Scranton either.

[@nickmad887]

Thank you.

[@marypettitt9150]

What I find positively chilling is the fact that the men knew they would die. They tried to build barriers to keep the poisonous gas out of their holding areas. What a tragic story.

[@pamelawooten3251]

Such a sad story. Do you ever get into Fayette County? Look up the Rabb House. It is a historical home built in the mid 1700's and belonged to my 7th great grandfather . It would be interesting to see and I hope to get back there to visit it.

[@NCMOUNTAINSbackyardRC]

Pretty cool place 👍. NC MOUNTAINS ❤

[@petemaxwell8046]

I have a question re the blocked off entrance you looked at in the beginning of the video. Was that the actual entrance to the mine shaft where the fire occurred?

[@JPVideos81]

That was an exploratory section that has no coal. The main shaft that burned was down closer to where the sign board is. Its all filled in now.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

What JP said

[@spankyleatherlips8643]

sad indeed.

[@deirdrepasko9056]

Cool place. Tragic history. Hey, you forgot to post that link to your friends' video about the ghosts. That would be cool to watch too.

[@JPVideos81]

Here it is. Best stuff happens in the first 15mins. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJnXpaeLg9hrbLs

[@hankhicks1108]

Much creepier than Blair Witch Project.

[@stanleyrakoski6005]

Got peeps there....

[@TheMattc999]

4:20- time for a grinder or a cutting torch.....🤐

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

I would have loved to have gotten into that place...

[@7rippster7]

Looks like there was some charring on the larger building. Fire at some point?

[@neilhansen5663]

It is very sad that improvements in safety & working conditions only came about from fatalities. Back in the bad old days a pit pony was worth more than a miners life

[@buffplums]

Those concrete buildings look like they were in use up until the 20th century as concrete might indicate maybe use up until the 1950s?

[@XenobiaWinterWolfMoon]

I have read a lot on this. Just not certain exactly where it is.

[@PrepsteadingWithBelinda]

wow awful story but thanks for sharing somemore interesting history, I guess I should think about going to bed it's almost 3 a.m. I may watch 1 or 2 more call it a night lol

[@cindywho134]

Do you think the buildings could have been living quarters?

[@tonyasfamilyvlogs2587]

Very sad story. 😥

[@allclades]

That's super creepy

[@mikeh3646]

If you had the time while you were there, you should have checked out Concrete City another mining related site. Lots of ruins there and you weren't really all that far from it.

[@JPVideos81]

He already made a video there.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

As JP said, I have been there, but I might go back again someday

[@marypozzi5297]

Such a sad story I felt like crying all those Men that lost their life’s and all their graves were very sad May they all be resting in Peace in the Arms of the Lord

[@vikkinicholson2300]

ick ATV's should not be allowed in wildlife areas AT ALL. The noise is majorly offensive and has to be disturbing to the wildlife who DO belong there. The darn things need to be made QUIET!!!! Then you can ride them at a reasonable speed and those wanting to peacefully enjoy nature can have their rights too. Not enough regs on those things.

[@colinperkins8794]

Atvs should be allowed at any state owned land/ forest

[@steelem422]

Well you could explore just need to find other way in there will be one somewhere out there. Very sad peice of history

[@rustyaxelrod]

You seem like a cool guy and I was intrigued at first but man, frustrating video. We clearly skipped a bunch of stuff, like the long ledge with a what looked like a shaft, right in the middle of the place and some signs with no mention in the dialogue or pause with the camera. The story came in bits a pieces with no plan an a few points that never really seemed finished, and why did we walk in with ya when there is clearly a decent road and even parking? Exploring a mine site and leave the lights behind? Anyway I’m trying to do some constructive criticism and hopefully don’t sound like too much of a jerk, I ain’t mad or hating. It was an interesting site and I would watch more of your videos.

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

ummm, thanks, but before you criticize someone too much - check out the place first for yourself. There is no shaft where you say there was one - which is why I didn't video it. There is no parking up by the road, it's a major highway, the only way in is the way I took.

[@robertgemski7728]

You def came off as a jerk. Keep the negativity to yourself pal wtf?