This Ride Through An Old Coal Mine In Northern California Will Take You Back In Time

The Gold Rush was a pretty big deal in this part of the country. But, how many of you know about the coal business out here? It played a significant part in the industrial revolution and one of the most productive area for coal mining was in our own backyard. Here's one coal mine you can still travel through--you're going to love it!

A long time ago, this is what the coal industry looked like in Northern California.

The Black Diamond Coal Mines weren't the only mines around here. There was also Tesla near Livermore and one in Ione. These men worked terribly hard. It was not a job for the weak.

Black Diamond Mines - East Bay Regional Park

The mines are located around these parts and this is what one source had to say, "The coal fields around Mount Diablo were discovered in 1855. During its heyday, the area had 12 mines that supported thousands of miners and their families from around the world in five town sites." That's a lot of Northern Californians who worked and survived on coal.

Historic Marker of times gone by.

This here is the marker for "Mount Diablo Coal Mines" and it's in this area that five towns survived on this economy. The largest town "Nortonville" had over 1,000 people living there. The area is now a ghost town of sorts with only cemetery plots remaining.

The tunnel into the mountain.

Between 1850-1906 more than 4 million tons of coal were taken and sold around the county. A big part of it went across the bay to the City.

Enjoy stepping back into time.

The Hazel Atlas mine was one of the largest producers here of coal and sandstone in all of California. There are tours you can take to venture in and take a peek inside.

An era that needed coal like we need petroleum.

With the science of petroleum quickly on its way, and more quality coal being mined elsewhere, the need for the mines here dwindled and faded away. When the mines closed, the families moved out of town.

Black DIamond Trail

East Bay Regional Park does a great job at giving tours but if you'd much rather just enjoy the scenery, there's always a hike along the Black Diamond Trail.

The next time your kids complain about learning their California history on the gold rush, impress them with this bit of knowledge about the coal companies in our neck of the woods!