Bitner coal mine and coke ovens were opened by H.C. Frick Coke Company in 1904.
Image courtesy Coal and Coke Heritage Center, Penn State Fayette
The company-built town of Bitner as it looked during the coal and coke era. There were 309 workers employed by the H.C. Frick Coke Co. at Bitner in 1920 (may not include company doctor, store manager, etc.)
Mar. 2003 image by author
Those same "patch" houses in the 21st century.
Mar. 2003 image by author
The Bitner company store hangs on (without the company). At one time this would have been a Union Supply Co. store, which was the retail subsidiary of H.C. Frick Coke Co.
Oct. 2004 image by author
Some of the coke ovens at Bitner that are still in existence.
Oct. 2004 image by author
Detail of one of the yellow brick coke ovens.
Oct. 2004 image by author
Sources:
“General Eastern Coal & Coke Notes.” The Black Diamond, 31 Mar. 1906, p. 36.
The Coal Field Directory - Pocket Edition, 1920, Keystone Consolidated Publishing, Inc.
