Carbon County, Pennsylvania
Carbon County Jail
Carbon County Section of the Lehigh Canal
Central Railroad of New Jersey Station
Grotto, The-Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine
Lansford Historic District
Little Gap Covered Bridge
Mauch Chunk and Summit Hill Switchback Railroad
Nesquehoning High School
Old Mauch Chunk Historic District
Packer, Asa, Mansion
Packer, Harry, Mansion
Palmerton Historic District
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Summit Hill High School
A Revolution in Canal Technology
A Vigorous Youth
American Maritime Veterans Memorial
Anthracite
Backtrack Trestle
Betty Mullen Brey
Carbon County
Carl Wolter III Playground
Coal Transport in Mauch Chunk
Colonel Jacob Weiss
Colonel Jacob Weiss Monument
Dams Made the Lehigh Canal
Disaster at Mud Run
Eckley MinersÂ’ Village
Engineering Marvel
Exploring the Corridor
Exploring the Corridor
Exploring The Corridor
Exploring The Corridor
Five Mile Tree Crossover
Fort Allen
Fort Allen
Fort Allen Well
From Mountain to Market
From Rails to Trails
From Rails to Trails
Gnadenhuetten
Hickory Run Boulder Field
Jacob Weiss Memorial
James Francis Thorpe
James Francis Thorpe
James Francis Thorpe
Jim Thorpe (Wa-tho-huck)
Joe Boyle Plaza
Lehigh Gorge State Park
Lehigh Gorge State Park
Lehighton Area WWII Honored Dead Memorial
Lehighton's Been Workin' on the Railroad!
Mauch Chunk Railroad Station
Military Working Dogs Memorial
Molly Maguire Executions
National War Savings Campaign of 1918
Old Presbyterian Cemetery
Overcoming Geography
Packer Mansion
Parryville Historic District
Philip Ginder
Philip Ginter
Pioneer Pipeline
Railroad Intersection
Romance in the Woods
Soldiers Monument
Switchback Railroad
The 1912 Olympics
The Carlisle Years
The Hub in its Heyday
The Mansion House
The Professional Sportsman
The Self Made Man
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument
This House (1844 A.D.)
Veterans Memorial
Vietnam Era Veterans Memorial
War at Home Memorial
Waterborne Veterans Memorial
Weatherly Civil War Memorial
Weatherly War Memorial
World War I Centennial Commemoration
World War I Memorial
World War II Honor Roll
World War Memorial
The discovery of coal in Carbon County led to a boom in mining and industrial development. The region became a center for coal production, attracting numerous immigrants who came to work in the mines. The coal industry not only fueled the local economy but also contributed to the growth of the railway system. The arrival of the railroad in the mid-1800s brought further prosperity to the county, allowing for more efficient transportation of coal to other parts of the state and beyond.
During the American Civil War, Carbon County played a role in supplying coal to the Union Army. Several coal mines in the county were important suppliers of fuel for the war effort. In addition, the county saw its fair share of veterans returning from the war, contributing to the growth of the population and the development of the region's infrastructure.
Over the years, the coal industry began to decline, leading to economic challenges for Carbon County. However, the county has diversified its economy by focusing on tourism, outdoor recreation, and manufacturing. Today, Carbon County is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with attractions such as the beautiful Lehigh Gorge State Park and the Appalachian Trail. The county also has a rich cultural heritage, with numerous historical sites and museums that showcase its coal mining history.
Brief timeline of the history of Carbon County, Pennsylvania:
- 1818: Carbon County is formed from parts of Northampton and Monroe counties.
- 1827: The Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company opens the Mauch Chunk Switchback Gravity Railroad, the first roller coaster in the United States.
- 1843: The town of Mauch Chunk changes its name to Jim Thorpe in honor of the famous Native American athlete.
- 1850s: The coal mining industry booms in Carbon County, driving economic growth.
- 1862: The Battle of Packer's Island takes place during the Civil War, with Confederate soldiers briefly occupying Mauch Chunk.
- 1866: Eckley Miners' Village is established as a model coal mining town.
- 1870: Formation of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company greatly improves transportation in the region.
- 1909: The town of Packerton is destroyed by a massive fire.
- 1942: Construction of the Pocono Raceway begins, which would later become a famous NASCAR track.
- 1950s-1960s: Decline of the coal industry leads to economic challenges in Carbon County.
- 1974: The historic Asa Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe is opened to the public as a museum.
- 1995: The Lehigh River is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River, preserving its natural beauty.
- 2010: Carbon County celebrates its bicentennial.
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Carbon County, Pennsylvania.