BELLE VERNON, PA
A November 1912 issue of Industrial World stated, "Ground has been broken by the newly organized Belle Vernon Coke
Company on a new plant near here. Company was formed by Holmes Davis and his associates from McKeesport for the development
of a coal tract back of Belle Vernon, Pa. Thirty-two coke ovens are to be built." Also, in 1917, the mine was reported by the
state mine inspector to be "In fair condition, except for the untidy condition of the [mine] rooms."
These coke ovens are still in existence at Belle Vernon, PA. There was no company patch town associated with these ovens.
Detail of the Belle Vernon Coke Company's coke ovens. The hooks on the outside of the door were probably for the coke leveler's bar.
A view of the Monongahela River from inside one of the Belle Vernon coke ovens, which were built around 1905.
Detail of the trunnel hole, also called the "eye" of the oven, at the Belle Vernon Coke works along the Mon River.
Mar. 2003 image by author
Mar. 2003 image by author
Mar. 2003 image by author
Mar. 2003 image by author