A couple of months ago I took a bus tour to the Black Diamond Coal Mine Museum and found it to be very interesting and colorful. Maybe I found it interesting because I had never really thought of coal 
being mined here in the northwest. Here is a little of the history and a link where you can read more and see more pictures. http://www.blackdiamondmuseum.org/
In the early 1880's The Black Diamond Coal Company of Nortonville, CA was facing a monumental task. As the coal supply they were mining was beginning to deplete, they faced moving their entire operation -- miners, their families, equipment and all -- 1,000 miles north to a remote area in Washington Territory where a rich and plentiful seam of high grade coal promised to keep miners busy for the next hundred years. The area also provided all the timber they needed to brace mine tunnels and build a town. By 1885, the Company had completely settled in the new town they named "Blac
k Diamond".
Coal is no longer mined here but the little town hasn't changed a great deal. There is an incredible restaurant called The Black Diamond Bakery and the food is fabulous!
It was fun and interesting trip back into history. I know that for those of you who live in England or Europe, what we here in the states consider history is almost like last year to you -- our country is still very young in comparison. The area around Black Diamond, WA doesn't have all the spectacular beauty of so many places in our state, but it is an interesting and fun place to visit.
Black Diamond Coal Museum and boxcar in the snow.
This was called the mule train.
The larger building below was the jail and the small one next to it was
the fire department -- a long hose on huge wheels.
being mined here in the northwest. Here is a little of the history and a link where you can read more and see more pictures. http://www.blackdiamondmuseum.org/In the early 1880's The Black Diamond Coal Company of Nortonville, CA was facing a monumental task. As the coal supply they were mining was beginning to deplete, they faced moving their entire operation -- miners, their families, equipment and all -- 1,000 miles north to a remote area in Washington Territory where a rich and plentiful seam of high grade coal promised to keep miners busy for the next hundred years. The area also provided all the timber they needed to brace mine tunnels and build a town. By 1885, the Company had completely settled in the new town they named "Blac
k Diamond".Coal is no longer mined here but the little town hasn't changed a great deal. There is an incredible restaurant called The Black Diamond Bakery and the food is fabulous!
It was fun and interesting trip back into history. I know that for those of you who live in England or Europe, what we here in the states consider history is almost like last year to you -- our country is still very young in comparison. The area around Black Diamond, WA doesn't have all the spectacular beauty of so many places in our state, but it is an interesting and fun place to visit.
Black Diamond Coal Museum and boxcar in the snow.
This was called the mule train.
The larger building below was the jail and the small one next to it was
the fire department -- a long hose on huge wheels.
