BROWNFIELD, PA (REDSTONE MINE)
J.W. Moore Coke Company opened the Redstone mine and coke works in 1881. The "patch town" of Brownfield was constructed to house the employees, and was probably named for
the previous owner of the property, Benjamin Brownfield. (This company, as J.W. Moore and Company, had earlier
opened coal and coke facilities further north in the Connellsville Field at Mammoth.) Speaking of mammoth, coke giant H.C. Frick Coke Company acquired
two-thirds interest in Redstone mine/coke plant in 1889. By 1893, Frick owned 100% of Redstone. When Frick Coke became a subsidiary of U.S. Steel in 1901, Redstone became
a property of that mega-corporation. Redstone coal and coke plant didn't close until 1927. 97 years later I dropped in on Brownfield to see what remained.
July 2024 image by author
The Brownfield Methodist Church was constructed in 1897.
July 2024 image by author
"Salt box" coal company houses that probably date to the 1880s.
July 2024 image by author
These houses are part of Brownfield, but are a part where the surface was not owned by the coal company. It was the "independent" part of town.
July 2024 image by author
The stone foundation on the left once supported Redstone mine's engine house. On the right are a few of the remaining company houses.
July 2024 image by author
Looking down through Brownfield where the former B&O Railroad crossed the road. To the right of the road, in the background, are trees where I believe partial remains of
the Redstone beehive coke ovens can be found (near a gun club). On this day, however, the dense foliage and high temperatures kept me from investigating.