Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail 104 ish to 106 Plus-Whitsett to Van Meyer
Whitsett to Van Meyer is full of history and I loved this part of the trail but I also hate this part as it was the first time that I saw a snake on the trail. And I do hate snakes! Even worst, the snake was trying to swallow a toad. I like toads and frogs! But over all, this section is full of delightful things to see! With a wonderful walk to keep your mind busy.
I have been told that I am using to many pictures so I will be cutting down. Just the top ones and not so many of the plain trail. Remember, pointers are always helpful.
Mile 104 ish to 105-Whitsett, A Bicycle in a Tree, Sasquatch, A Rooster, A Art Shop, and a Ruin
This bit of trail is just full of things!
Whitsett has a wonderful park that has water which is the last until Cedar Creek or Connellsville depending on which way you are traveling plus a bike tool area for repairs.
The locals are also very welcoming with this great little seating area.
But check out the guys in the back California Dreaming with mask on.
I found a rooster….
He belongs to this place across the way. I know that they have arts, crafts, and some food.
Banning No 2 Run is just down the way…
The ruins for Banning No 2 is right next to the run but at this time they are not doing tours.
And the Mile 105 marker!
Brief History
Wittsett, PA is in Fayatte County and about 30 miles from Pittsburgh. It was founded by Ralph C Whitsett in 1845. In 1891, Whitsett became a mining town for 63 year. In 1946, three miners where killed in a mining actident. The mine was closed for two years before it reopened on a limited operation which hand picked coal. But in 1954, the mine closed an mark the end of an era.
At one point, the Banning #2 mine, employed over 650 miners and produced over 1/2 a million tons of coals. There were 18 other coal mines along the Youghiogheny River Valley but Banning produced the most coal.
Whitsett was a community of houses to accommodated the miners and their families. If you have a moment, look at the houses. The houses were built to accommodate two families with 1 family on one side and another on the other side. Most of the houses have been made into single family dwellings today but enjoy your time an a mining town that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution in America.
Mile 105-Monongahela River, Browneller Run, Wickhaven Hollow, and Banning No. 1
The Monongahela River follow you along this section of the trail. It is a wonderful and peaceful during this section.
Down below a little Christmas penguin watches you as you cross the bridge over Browneller Run.
Another sign says Wickhaven which is the town that you are crossing through. But look at how clear that water is!!!
This section of the trail is just so beautiful!
A railroad bridge comes into sight called the Banning Trestle.
The rocks on the side of the trail, look like a dried up waterfall.
Banning No. 1 is just on the other side of the Railroad Bridge.
The ruins are available to go into but be careful if you do because they have been around for over a 100 years and have been abandoned for over 60 years.
I just stood on the outside and took pictures around it.
The Mile 106 marker is just past the ruins.
Mile 106-Cable Car Site, Darr Mine Disaster, Snakes, Toads, and the House with water and snacks.
This part of the trail is pretty straight away but watch the sides because they have a lot of information that you can miss.
Like the sign on the side that show where the Cable Car Site was for mine worker to get to their jobs.
And take a moment to remember the Darr Mine disaster. It looked like it has a little trail behind but the trail looked overgrown when I was on the trail.
There are some beautiful views of the river at different point on the trail.
Also on the side of the trail, you can see wonderful things like this toad.
Or the not so wonderful sight of this snake eating a toad.
Of course, I could not allow that to happen. I throw a few rocks at him until he dropped his meal. He, in return, launched at me. I ran but he went back into the grass. I did not go back to check on the poor toad but I hate snakes. I hate them so much.
This is a beauiful spot to take a rest and watch the river go by.
Check out this house as you cross the road. On days that they have a sign out and people out, they have water, other drinks, ice cream, and other snacks available at less then a gas station.
But this is Van Meyer. Just a little town left behind as the mining industry moved on.
Brief History
December 1907 was the most deadly mining month in U.S. history. On December 1, the Naomi Mine exploded in Fayette City, PA just about 10 miles away from the Darr Mines. Many of the displaced mine workers came to Darr Mines from the Naomi Mine when it closed down.
On December 6, in Monongah, West Virginia, the worst mining disaster in American history happened when an explosion killing at least 367 men who were on the books official. But during this time in American history, many men brought their young sons and other family members with them to work.
One December 19, the Darr Mine disaster killed 239 men and boys. It was the worst in Pennsylvanian history. Some of those killed were new workers from the Naomi Mine disaster who came to work. It should also be noted that many of those who died that day were Hungarian immigrant workers. The names of those known that lost their lives are listed at http://www.americanhungarianfederation.org/news_darrmine_victims.htm
With all this tragic lost of life at least a bit of good came out of it. The Congress of the United States created the U.S. Bureau of Mines with the goal to regulate the mines and limit human deaths and waste of natural resources. The Bureau also investigates disasters, provide rescue services, and train miners.
I look forward to a time when humans value human life and mother nature above profits and progress.