Keeling Coal Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Coal mining |
| Founded | 1861 |
| Defunct | 1878 |
| Headquarters | Allegheny County, Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | Pittsburgh Coalfield, western Pennsylvania |
| Products | Coal |
The Keeling Coal Company operated as a coal mining enterprise during the 19th century, specifically from 1861 to 1878, within the Pittsburgh Coalfield region of western Pennsylvania. Its mining activities were concentrated in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Ormsby Mine
Established in 1838 by John Harding Page and Captain Phillips, the Ormsby mine was an underground coal extraction site. Between 1838 and 1844, a gravity plane incline was constructed to facilitate operations. Management of the mine was under Doctor Oliver Harrison Ormsby—son of Oliver Ormsby—from 1851 until 1861.
From 1861 until May 1878, the Keeling Coal Company managed the Ormsby mine. Subsequently, control passed to the Birmingham Coal Company, which included Joseph Keeling as a partner. The mine was notably large and interconnected with the adjacent Bausman Mine, also under Keeling's operation.
Coal mined at Ormsby played a role in early steam engine trials conducted by the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Michigan.
Coal Road
Beginning in 1867, an underground transportation network connected the Ormsby mine with neighboring mines in the area. This narrow gauge railway transported coal beneath ground from South Hills to various industrial facilities along the Monongahela River.
The so-called "coal road" traversed beneath numerous hills and ravines, passing through locations such as Mount Oliver and St. Clair Village. It linked up with the narrow gauge line of the Bausman Mine at Spiketown (present-day Carrick). This system remained functional through at least 1899. Initially, coal transfer utilized a tail rope mechanism before transitioning to an underground steam-powered locomotive.
Coal was subsequently moved onto the Birmingham Coal Railroad, another narrow gauge line running along South 21st Street, which originated from an inclined plane railroad. Although this incline no longer exists, its former location is now occupied by South Side Park.
Shortly before expiration of Keeling’s lease, a fire destroyed the coal road’s enginehouse. Following this event, the lease was not renewed. Around that period, the Pittsburgh and Whitehall Railroad obtained an easement adjacent to the former coal road alignment on South 21st Street.
Knoxville Incline
In addition to operating the incline associated with the Ormsby mine, Keeling Coal Company managed a separate curved coal incline that ran partially parallel to the lower segment of the Mt. Oliver Incline. Later developments included construction of the Knoxville Incline alongside this route.