Reading & Northern Railroad

A leaf-fall 300 million years ago began the process that produced anthracite, the only coal said to have evolved beyond geology, and in Northeastern Pennsylvania it became the symbol and identity of a unique historic region and cultural heritage. The people of the Black Diamond identify themselves through coal mining, iron-making, and railroading and regard themselves as the only people on earth to take their cultural name from those industries. In 2018, they celebrated the 250th anniversary of their anthracite family origin and destiny as a celebration of their people and region.

Tamaqua, Pennsylvania · United States