In the Allegheny Valley, coal miners including brothers, fathers, husbands, uncles, and sons worked in mines now diminished, descending into darkness and danger to support themselves and their families. Hundreds were tragically killed in the infamous Harwick disaster, and others were lost to explosions and accidents, suffered long with black lung, or still take each step with courage and fortitude. Sisters, mothers, wives, aunts, and daughters tirelessly nurtured, consoled, cleaned, and fed, holding hope and finding strength to persevere, while the young often faced childhood hardship but gained values that carried them to success. As industry developed in these valleys, coal and human grit built communities and began a proud legacy. The site holds special significance as a place where citizens long ago rallied for justice and civil liberties, where miners forged their union, and where today the fireman's badge of honor symbolizes a willingness to risk life to protect neighbors. The coal miner, often anonymous and alone beyond family roots, labored in the depths to produce coal and create the homes, church, school, social venues, and industry of the community, supported by women's critical but rarely celebrated work, by youth coming of age, and by the selflessness of volunteers and firemen who shared occupational danger.