Experimental Mine, U.S. Bureau Of Mines
Why it's listed
Begun in the summer of 1910 by driving entries into the outcrop of the Pittsburgh coal bed, the Experimental Mine near Bruceton in Allegheny County was established by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to investigate the causes of coal-mine explosions. The tract was leased from the Pittsburgh Coal Company, which sold it to the Bureau in 1924. The mine follows a conventional room-and-pillar layout, with main entries about 1,300 feet long, reinforced concrete stoppings, and gunited roof and ribs in the explosion-testing zone. The site was chosen so that violent explosions are deflected upward by the steep north bank of the valley, limiting damage to nearby dwellings. Research there has covered coal-dust explosibility, firedamp diffusion, ventilation, extinguishment apparatus, explosives, stopping strength, coal pillar compressibility and roof pressures. Demonstrations and training for miners and officials have drawn thousands of observers over the decades.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mine is significant because it was established after a series of coal-mine explosion disasters in 1906 and 1907 to study the causes of such explosions. Its research on coal-dust explosibility, ventilation, stoppings, roof control and mine safety is described as basic to recommended procedures for the coal industry.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 74001732, listed October 18, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Bruceton off Cochran Mill Rd., Bruceton |
|---|---|
| County | Allegheny County |
| Listed | October 18, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001732 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1910-1924 |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Education |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In use as a Bureau of Mines testing facility; the form also notes it was purchased from the Pittsburgh Coal Company in 1924. |
| Acreage | 38 |
| Coordinates | 40.30491, -79.98109 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 74001732.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5421121
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.