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."

Mar. 2003 image by author These coke ovens are still in existence at Belle Vernon, PA. There was no company patch town associated with these ovens.
Mar. 2003 image by author 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.
Mar. 2003 image by author A view of the Monongahela River from inside one of the Belle Vernon coke ovens, which were built around 1905.
Mar. 2003 image by author Detail of the trunnel hole, also called the "eye" of the oven, at the Belle Vernon Coke works along the Mon River.