Nanty Glo, located in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, grew from a small lumber camp into one of America’s prominent coal mining communities.
Nanty Glo, located in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, grew from a small lumber camp into one of America’s prominent coal mining communities. Originally known as Glenglade, the town established a post office in 1894 and was renamed Nant-y-Glo in 1901, adopting the Welsh phrase meaning “stream of coal.” Coal seams visible along Blacklick Creek helped define the town’s identity and future. Major companies such as Bethlehem Mines, Coleman-Weaver, and Peale, Peacock & Kerr developed extensive mining operations, with the Heisley Mine emerging as the largest. By World War II, Nanty Glo had become the leading coal-producing town in the United States, a critical role that drew national attention, including intervention by President Roosevelt during labor strikes.
The postwar years brought significant change. As deep mine reserves declined and demand for domestic coal weakened, major employers such as Bethlehem Mines closed their operations, culminating in the 1980 shutdown of Nanty Glo Mine No. 31. This, combined with the collapse of Bethlehem Steel in nearby Johnstown, led to a sharp population decline from the town’s 1940s peak.
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