Coal Mining in Las Minas

Cannel coal was mined from the Santo Tomas coal field between 1881 and 1939 and several mining towns, collectively known as Las Minas, developed during this time. The towns were located in the vicinity of the points of access to the mines. The towns consisted of Minera (Carbon), Darwin (Cannel), Dolores (San Jose) and Santo Tomas.

Las Minas’ quality coal and thriving economy attracted engineers, investors, laborers, miners, railroad developers and many others. Las Minas and the Santo Tomas coal field’s production directly impacted Laredo’s dynamic growth and infrastructural developments from the 1880s to the 1930s. Between 1880 and 1890, Laredo’s population jumped from 3,521 to 11,319. The first railroad into Laredo was built in 1881, but four railroads reached the city by 1891. In 1896, coal from Laredo sold for $3.25 per ton by the railcar load after arriving in Mexico and North Texas.

Many of the inhabitants of Las Minas were Mexican or Mexican American. However, citizens in Las minas migrated from the eastern and midwestern United States as well. The local population overcame difficult living conditions such as the lack of electricity and running water, underfunded schools, disease and mine fires. Despite these challenges, the inhabitants of Las Minas contributed many cultural and civic legacies to the region such as Los Matachines de la Santa Cruz, Pastorela troupes, baseball teams, political participation and labor organization that shaped the local community and neighboring town of Laredo.