Tour-Ed Mine

Useful Information

Location:	Tarentum. Route 28 Allegheny Valley Expressway, Tarentum exit (14). 32 km from Pittsburgh.
Open:	Memorial Day to Labor Day Mon, Wed-Fri 10-16, Sat, Sun 13-16. SEP to OCT Fri-Sun 13-14. [2005]
Fee:	Adults USD 7, Children (-12) USD 4. Groups (25+): Adults USD 5.50, Teachers USD 5, Pupils (-12) USD 4. [2005]
Classification:	Bituminous Coal Mine
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=11 km.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	Kevin Patrick (2004): Pennsylvania Caves & other rocky roadside wonders, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, Pa, USA, 248 pp, illus. p 211-212, 228
Address:	Tour-Ed Mine, 748 Bull Creek Rd, Tarentun, PA 15084, Tel: +1-724-224-4720, Fax: +1-724-335-1319. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1859-1969	active coal mine called Avenue Mine.
1970	opened to the public.
1986	mine used as a set for the movie Act of Vengeance.
2001	mine used as a set for the movie Out of the Black.
2007	mine used as a set for a documentary about the 2002 Quecreek Mine Disaster in Somerset County.

Description

This is a typical pillar and stall mine. A tracked mine bus takes the visitors on an underground tour to a chamber with abandoned pillars which are 12 m wide by 18 m long. Here the visitors alight and visit the mining museum. This is laid out chronologically. The first item being a pick and shovel used before the Civil War. Next comes the 19th century pneumatic drill and the a 1930’s conveyor belt, followed by 1940’s loader.

The whole outfit is operated as a non-profit making business with the purpose of preserving the Pennsylvania’s mining heritage.

Text by Tony Oldham (2005). With kind permission.