Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine

Join Cindy and Mark along with friends Peggy and Frank as we tour the Pioneer Tunnel anthracite coal mine located in Ashland, eastern Pennsylvania. While closed for mining operation in 1931 the mine was re-opened in 1963 as a tourist attraction.

The guided tour takes us back 1,800 feet into the mine and 400 feet below the surface of the mountain. Our guide provides an educational narration of the anthracite coal mining process, a process that in its day was manual labor intensive using primarily hand tools and carts drawn by mules. As we leave the surface with the air temperatures in near record breaking upper 90's we rapidly cool down to 50 degrees in the dark and damp mine.

If you have the opportunity of visiting the Ashland area, stop and take this Pioneer Tunnel tour. It is a great educational experience!