Brier Hill (Brier Hill, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Brier Hill
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Buildings at Brier Hill, Buildings at Brier Hill.jpg
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | On U.S. 40, Brier Hill, Redstone Township |
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| Area | 45 acres (18 ha) |
| Built | 1902-1904 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001629 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1973 |
Brier Hill is a special place in Redstone Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. It is known as a national historic district. This means it's an important area with buildings and structures that tell a story about the past.
The Brier Hill historic district includes 18 main buildings and 75 other structures. Most of these were built between 1902 and 1937. This was when Brier Hill was a busy coal mining community. The mine opened in 1902 and closed in 1937.
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Discovering Brier Hill
Brier Hill was once a "company town." This means a mining company built and owned most of the homes and buildings. They did this for their workers and their families. It was a common way for mining companies to operate back then.
What is a Historic District?
A historic district is a special area recognized for its history. It's like a protected neighborhood from the past. The buildings and structures in it are important. They help us understand how people lived and worked long ago. Brier Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This makes it an officially recognized historic site.
Life in a Coal Mining Town
Life in a coal mining town like Brier Hill was unique. The community was built around the mine. Miners and their families lived in houses provided by the company. Everything revolved around the coal industry.
Important Buildings at Brier Hill
The buildings in Brier Hill show us what the town was like. There are five "double houses." These were homes designed for two families. They helped house many miners and their loved ones.
Other important buildings include the Power House. This building likely generated electricity for the mine. The Hoist House was also very important. It probably contained machinery to lift coal or miners from deep underground. There was also a garage and other buildings. These structures all played a part in the daily life of the mining community.
Why Brier Hill is Special
Brier Hill is special because it helps us learn about Pennsylvania's coal mining history. It shows how company towns were built and how they operated. By preserving places like Brier Hill, we can remember the hard work of miners. We also learn about the communities they built.
