Coal Company Patch Town (Today)

Gayville, Hempfield Township, Westmoerland County, PA . . . Coal companies built houses for their workers. Mines had to be built where the coal was, which was usually in rural areas, often in the "middle of nowhere." Even if the miners could afford to buy or rent, there weren't any houses for miles around! The coal company had to build a whole town for its workers. In the "patch towns," as they were called, houses, schools, and churches were built right next to the mine. The company even built a store for employees. That could be a mixed blessing.

Text taken directly from their website, for further information, visit the Virtual Museum of Coal Mining in Western Pennsylvania website. Coal Mining

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