Cairnbrook Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cairnbrook Historic District
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Loyalhanna Coal and Coke Company Office, 1992
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by the Penn Central RR tracks, McGregor Ave., Windber Ave. and John St., Cairnbrook, Shade Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 50 acres (20 ha) |
| Built | 1912 |
| Built by | S.E. Dickey and Co. |
| Architect | S.E. Dickey and Co. |
| Architectural style | Prairie School, Company Housing |
| MPS | Bituminous Coal and Coke Resources of Pennsylvania MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000523 |
| Added to NRHP | June 3, 1994 |
The Cairnbrook Historic District is a special area in Shade Township, Pennsylvania. It's like a time capsule showing what life was like in a coal mining town long ago. This district was built by the Loyalhanna Coal and Coke Company between 1912 and 1920. It still has many of the original buildings and even some parts of the old mine.
Contents
What is the Cairnbrook Historic District?
This historic district covers about 50 acres. It includes 132 important buildings and 8 structures that tell the story of the town. These buildings were all part of a community built around a coal mine.
How the Town Was Built
The Loyalhanna Coal and Coke Company from Philadelphia planned and built Cairnbrook. They wanted to create a complete town for their workers. The company hired S.E. Dickey and Co. to design and build the town starting in 1912.
Homes and Shops
The district has many homes where the miners and their families lived. It also includes buildings for shops and places where people could gather. These buildings show the style of architecture popular at the time, especially the "Prairie School" style.
The Coal Mine
The district also includes what's left of the coal mine itself. You can see parts of the old mine, like the office building. The mine operated for many years, from 1912 until 1958.
- Some important buildings in the district include:
- The Loyalhanna Coal and Coke Company Office (built in 1914)
- The motor barn
- The supply house
- The electric substation
Why is Cairnbrook Historic District Important?
The Cairnbrook Historic District is important because it helps us understand the history of coal mining towns. It shows how companies built entire communities for their workers. It also shows the types of buildings and structures needed to support a mining operation.
National Recognition
Because of its historical value, the Cairnbrook Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This means it's recognized as a place worth preserving for future generations.
