Founded in 1897 by the Berwind-White Coal Mining Co., Windber was distinctive among bituminous coal towns as a community with a large independent center surrounded by 13 patch towns. Notable structures built by Berwind-White included the Wilmore Building here in 1914 and the Arcadia Theatre across the street in 1919. Thousands of immigrants came here to work the mines, and the largest in output was Eureka Mine #40, 2 miles northwest. Company mining ceased in 1962.