PA Museums

Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour | Digging Deeper in Scranton

Collage of four photos from the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. Top left: The welcome sign against a backdrop of the tour building and clear skies. Top right: View from inside a mine car, with visitors wearing hard hats. Bottom left: A tour guide in reflective gear stands before a statue of a miner and a mule at the mine's entrance. Bottom right: A dimly lit mine tunnel with a wooden walkway and electrical lighting extending into the darkness, showcasing the mine's depth and historical ambiance.

If you’re looking for information about the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, you’re in the right place!

Exterior view of the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour entrance in Scranton, PA, featuring a large sign with 'Lackawanna Coal Mine' written on it. In the background, there's a gray building with 'COAL MINE TOUR' on its facade, a rusty mining cart on display, and the start of the mine shaft with its yellow structure. The foreground shows a thank-you plaque for visitors set on a corrugated metal fence, amidst a lush setting with autumn-colored trees under a partly cloudy sky. — Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour is operated by Lackawanna County.

The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour offers a rare glimpse into the life of an underground coal miner by taking visitors deep below ground into an actual anthracite coal mine.

Interior view of the Lackawanna Coal Mine showing the dimly lit mine tunnel with a wooden walkway for tours. The rough rock walls glisten with moisture under the overhead lights, which cast a warm glow and create elongated shadows on the path. The mine appears to extend into darkness, with support beams and cables lining the ceiling for structural integrity. — View inside the Slope 190 mine.

Tours are lead by former miners themselves, whos firsthand experiences and intimate knowledge of the miner’s life add a layer of realism to the journey.

A tour guide, dressed in a high-visibility jacket and a yellow hard hat, stands in the underground tunnel of the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. The guide is illuminated by the warm glow of the tunnel lights, with mining tracks extending into the dimly lit passage behind him. His posture and the equipment he carries suggest he is providing educational information to visitors about the mine. — Tours are lead by former miners.

Directions | Hours |Fees

The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour is located in Scranton’s McDade Park on Bald Mountain Road, Scranton, PA 18504.

Tours are offered April through November, Friday through Monday, from 10 am until 3 pm (last tour at 2:30 pm).

Welcome sign at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. The wooden signboard, prominently displayed on a grassy lawn, informs visitors of the tour times from Friday through Monday, 10 AM to 3 PM, with the last tour at 2:30 PM. In the background, the tour's main building features a large 'COAL MINE TOUR' sign and exhibits mining artifacts, including a rusted cart. The setting is serene with a clear sky and autumn trees, indicating a peaceful yet educational attraction. — Tours are operated April through November.

Admission fees are:

Adult (13-64): $10.00
Senior (65+): $9.50
Military: $9.00
Children (3-12): $7.50
Under 3: FREE

A large 13,000-pound chunk of coal on display at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA, with an informational sign in front and the coal mine tour's gray wooden building and fencing in the background. — A 13,000 pound chunk of anthracite coal.

History of the Lackawanna Coal Mine

The Slope 190 mine, last of Lackawanna County’s deep mines, ceased operations in 1966.

A display panel titled 'The Slope 190 Story' at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA, providing historical information about the anthracite deposits formed 345 to 280 million years ago and detailing the operation of Slope 190, including the Clark Vein. The panel includes an image of the mine's wooden entrance structure with the sign '#190 SLOPE' under the iconic 'LACKAWANNA COAL MINE' arch. The text describes the mine's significant role in Pennsylvania's anthracite production and its operation history until its closure in 1966. — History of the Slope 190 mine.

For the following twelve years, it sat unused until a significant transformation began in 1978.

Historical mining equipment and tipple structure at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. A rusted mining conveyor sits in the foreground on a grassy hill, leading towards the large black tipple, marked with the sign 'LACKAWANNA COAL MINE TIPPLE.' The autumnal setting is evident with trees showcasing yellow and orange foliage under a clear blue sky. — Old mining equipment.

With the aid of $2.5 million in funding from the federal government, the mine transitioned into a museum, undergoing extensive renovations including debris removal, mine car track installation, electrical lighting setup, and shaft reinforcement with steel buttresses for safety.

Outdoor display of the 'ORIGINAL MINE HOIST' at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. The hoist comprises a large, rusted metal drum around which an array of thick, coiled cables are wound. The machinery sits on a grassy area with trees and a clear sky in the background, showcasing a piece of the historical equipment used in mining operations. — The original mine hoist.

These efforts culminated in the museum’s opening to the public in 1985.

Entrance to the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA, with a rustic wooden structure over the mine shaft marked '#190 SLOPE'. Above the tunnel, a sign reads 'LACKAWANNA COAL MINE' against a backdrop of blue sky and distant mountains. To the left, there's a 'DANGER' sign warning against smoking and open lights. Railway tracks lead into the darkened tunnel entrance, surrounded by a chain-link fence, hinting at the historical journey that awaits visitors. — Entrance to the Slope 190 mine.

What You’ll See on the Tour

The adventure begins with visitors boarding a Mantrip car (underground personnel carrier) and descending approximately 250 feet below the ground surface through the #190 slope.

Bright yellow mine car on tracks at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. The car, which appears to be an old, rugged vehicle used for transporting miners underground, has a metal grated window and a 'Fasten Seat Belt' sign on its side. It's parked on rails with a forested backdrop and the entrance to the mine visible in the distance, complete with the coal mine's sign. — Tourists ride this “mantrip” down into the mine.

Despite being deep underground, the mine maintains a constant temperature range of 50–54 °F, ensuring a cool but comfortable experience for visitors as they traverse through the mine’s corridors.

View from inside a mine car looking out onto the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. Two visitors wearing hard hats are seen from behind, one in a high-visibility jacket and the other in a dark coat. They are gazing out through a window with a metal grid, with the mine's red metal tunnel structure leading out to the daylight where buildings and bare trees are visible. — View from inside the mantrip.

This descent leads into the Clark Vein of coal, setting the stage for an exploration that is as educational as it is awe-inspiring.

View from inside a dark mine car on the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA, as it ascends towards the surface. Silhouetted figures of a visitor in a high-visibility jacket and another in a hard hat can be seen looking out into the tunnel, which is lit by a distant light at the end, creating a focused perspective leading out of the mine. — Nearing the bottom of the descent into the mine.

The tour continues on foot, winding through a half-mile of twisting tunnels in the mine, offering a tangible sense of the miners’ daily environment.

A dimly lit corridor within the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA, featuring a smooth walkway flanked by wooden support beams. The historical mine's gangway is illuminated by sparse lighting, creating an atmosphere that reflects the conditions coal miners worked in. The path curves gently in the distance, inviting visitors to explore further into the depths of the mine. — Boardwalks in the mine were built for tourists; they would not have been there during the mine’s actual operation.

Throughout the tour, guides share insights into numerous facets of the Pennsylvania anthracite mining industry.

A tour guide at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA, is presenting in front of a large educational board detailing the 'End View of Lackawanna Basin Scranton, PA.' The guide, wearing a reflective jacket and hard hat, is gesturing towards the diagram which illustrates various coal beds and rock layers, providing insights into the geological structure of the coal mining area. — Tour guide explaining the different seams of coal in the area.

Visitors witness the stark contrast between early hand tools and later mechanized equipment, highlighting the technological advancements in mining.

A tour guide, wearing a yellow high-visibility jacket and a hard hat, demonstrates an old-fashioned miner's lamp to visitors at the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA. Two visitors in hard hats are listening attentively. They are standing in a dimly lit mine shaft with rough stone walls and heavy timber supports. The guide is holding up the lamp, adding to the educational experience in the historical mining environment. — Guide explaining a mine lamp.

The cramped, dark conditions of the mine offer a stark reminder of the daily challenges miners endured.

A realistic diorama within the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA, depicting two miners working in the tight, confined spaces of the mine. The miners are shown with headlamps illuminating their immediate area, one kneeling while working and the other hunched over. The scene is set deep underground with rough, dark walls and heavy wooden beams for support, highlighting the challenging and cramped working conditions of historical coal mining. — Cramped conditions miners worked in.

Visitors also learn about the roles of children who worked in the mines, including the “mule boys”.

Inside the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA, a tour guide in a high-visibility jacket and hard hat with a headlamp is speaking next to a lifelike statue of a 'mule boy.' The boy is depicted in historical mining attire, leading a mule carrying a cart full of coal. The scene is set in an underground mining tunnel with rustic wooden beams and dim lighting, enhancing the historical ambiance of the exhibit. — Mule boy exhibit in the mine.

One of the most compelling aspects of the tour is the simulated blasting demonstration that reverberates throughout the mine, underscoring the perilous nature of mining work.

A life-sized mannequin dressed as a coal miner stands in the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA. The figure is equipped with a headlamp and is holding a pickaxe, positioned as if ready to work. Beside the miner is a wooden crate labeled with the number '1900,' suggesting a historical context. The mine walls around the figure show layers of earth and coal, with a vivid streak of rust-colored mineral deposits running through the strata, reflecting the natural geological conditions of the mine. — Mannequins representing miners are found throughout the tour.

The tour also touches upon the dangers miners faced, including cave-ins, explosions, and the dreaded “black damp”, a deadly mixture of gases.

A miner in high-visibility clothing and a hard hat stands next to a wooden sign inside the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA. The sign, with a bright red background and yellow lettering, reads '2ND OPENING 250 FT. TO SURFACE' with a red arrow pointing to the left, indicating the direction to the nearest escape shaft. The environment is dimly lit, with rocky walls and wooden support beams, reflecting the authentic underground setting of the coal mine. — Second opening to the surface.

After roughly an hour underground, visitors reboard the Mantrip car for the 4 minute ride back to the surface.

View from within a dark mine shaft of the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA, looking out towards the daylight. The mine's interior is supported by curved metal ribs and wooden beams, with tracks embedded into the ground, suggesting a mine cart path. The transition from the shadowy mine interior to the bright outdoor light at the tunnel's end creates a stark contrast, symbolizing the exit from the depths of the earth to the surface. — Returning to the surface.

The tour’s educational aspect is further enhanced by the on-site museum/gift shop, which houses a collection of artifacts, photographs, and displays that chronicle the history of coal mining in the region.

An informational exhibit at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA, featuring a black and white historical photo of a young 'Mule Boy' standing next to a mule in mining harnesses. Below the photo is a detailed description explaining the role of mule boys in the mines, who at the age of 14 were responsible for directing mules to move empty and loaded cars within the mines, the risks involved, and the evolution of their work until it was replaced by electric motors. — Exhibit in the museum.

Final Thoughts

The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour is more than just a historical excursion; it’s an homage to the legacy of coal mining in Pennsylvania and a tribute to the hardworking individuals who delved into the earth’s depths.

Historic black and white photo of a line of coal miners at the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA, circa 1946. Each miner wears a cap with a headlamp and carries a metal lunch pail. They stand in front of a brick wall, evidently at the end of a shift, as noted by the caption 'Miners checked in at the lamphouse after completing a shift in the mine, 1946.' Their clothes appear soiled from work, and they exhibit expressions of fatigue and resolve, reflecting the tough nature of their labor. — Miners at the end of their shift.

It’s an enlightening journey for anyone interested in industrial history, geology, or the human stories behind one of America’s most pivotal industries.

Interior view of the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA, showing rugged, dark rock surfaces illuminated by a light source off-camera. Wooden beams provide structural support to the rocky ceiling. The scene captures the challenging conditions and environment that coal miners faced, with debris and uneven surfaces indicative of the manual excavation process. The image evokes a sense of the historical significance and tough working conditions of coal mining. — The view from 300 feet below the surface.

Visitors emerge with not only a deeper understanding of the mining industry but also with a profound respect for the miners’ resilience and the sacrifices they made.

Statue of an anthracite coal miner standing on a circular concrete base, holding a pickaxe over his shoulder and pointing upward with his right hand, against a partly cloudy sky. The miner is depicted in mid-20th century mining gear, including a cap with a headlamp. At the base of the statue is a bronze plaque with text, likely a tribute, mounted on a dark stone pedestal. The background reveals an autumnal scene with trees bearing orange and red foliage and a well-kept grassy area, suggesting a serene park setting. — Monument to miners at McDade Park near the coal mine tour.

For more information on the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, check out the tour’s OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

Close-up of a bronze memorial plaque titled 'A TRIBUTE TO ANTHRACITE COAL MINERS'. The plaque is dedicated to the thousands of anthracite coal miners and acknowledges their labor and sacrifices under inhumane conditions, contributing to the nation's prosperity and growth. It mentions the history of coal mining since the 1840s in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the use of coal and iron in the booming railroad industry, and the role of coal power in the American Industrial Revolution and both World Wars. The tribute also notes the harsh realities of mining, including over 50,000 miners killed and many suffering from black lung disease. The plaque ends with an acknowledgment of the debt owed to the miners and is signed by benefactor Andrew 'Hank' Evanish with a dedication date of September 2001, and sculptor Fran Talarico. — Inscription on the miner’s monument at McDade Park.

A Complete Guide to PA’s Best Underground Coal Mine Tours delivers a firsthand look at all five of Pennsylvania’s underground coal mine tours, based on my recent visits to every one of them.

Collage of five photos featuring various Pennsylvania underground coal mine tours. The top left shows a statue of a miner with a raised lamp next to the 'Pioneer Tunnel' train car. The top right displays the 'Brooks Coal Mine' sign against a stone wall and trees. The center right picture has a colorful sign welcoming visitors to 'No. 9 Mine,' with 'Old Company’s Lehigh' at the top. The bottom left is the entrance to 'Tour-Ed Mine' with a yellow banner greeting visitors. The bottom right captures the entrance sign to 'The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour' with the tour facility in the background.

Nearby Attractions

16 Must-See Attractions in Lackawanna County showcases more remarkable sights and experiences near the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour.

A collage of four photos taken in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Top left: Historic steam and diesel locomotives displayed at the Steamtown National Historic Site turntable. Top right: A Stegosaurus skeleton on exhibit inside the Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science, and Art in Scranton. Bottom left: A vibrant mural of Dwight Schrute from the television show "The Office" painted on a wall in Scranton. Bottom right: A serene waterfall flowing through the rocky landscape of Nay Aug Gorge at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.

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