Cannelton, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Cannelton is a small, unincorporated community located in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. It's part of Darlington Township, and you can find it about three miles west of the town of Darlington. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or a borough.

Discovering Cannelton

Cannelton got its start way back in 1795 when people first settled there. The community's name comes from something very important that was found nearby: cannel coal. This special type of coal began to be mined in the area starting in 1838.

What is Cannel Coal?

Cannel coal is a unique kind of coal. It burns with a very bright flame. In the past, it was often used to make gas for lighting homes and streets. It was also used for heating. Finding this coal was a big deal for the early settlers of Cannelton.

The Importance of the Railroad

To help transport the mined coal, a railroad was built. The Darlington Cannel Coal Railroad started being constructed in 1852. This railroad was very important for Cannelton. It helped move the valuable cannel coal from the mines to other places. Eventually, this railroad connected to the larger Pennsylvania Railroad system in New Galilee, Pennsylvania. This connection made it easier to ship coal to many more locations.