McMichael (Jerseytown) Coal Mine Hike

Join Bob Stoudt (Director, Montour Area Recreation Commission) and Van Wagner (Danville-area historian/educator) for a relatively short (approximately one mile out and back) hike to the historic remnants of the McMichael (Jerseytown) Coal Mine in PA State Game Lands #226 (Madison Township, Columbia County).

Though it’s believed the ‘mine’ never actually produced any coal, the site has a fascinating history. Van Wagner tells the story at http://vanwagnermusic.com/mcmichaelcoal.html

This hike is relatively short and easy and suitable for most individuals, but short sections of the hike will involve climbing and descending wooded hillsides in wintertime and is not suitable for those with limited mobility. This hike is suitable for most children when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Pre-registration is not required. This event will be held regardless of weather conditions. Participants should wear sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing and bring adequate water, snacks, and other supplies as may be needed for a roughly two hour-long wintertime outing.

This hike is planned as the second in a year-long series of monthly hikes and other events throughout Montour County by the Montour Area Recreation Commission and Danville Heritage Festival celebrating the history of our communities. It is the first in a planned series of event celebrating the history and heritage of the Chillisquaque Creek Watershed.

For more information about the Danville Heritage Festival, please visit https://visitdanvillepa.org/…/danville-heritage-festival/

For more information about the Chillisquaque Creek Watershed, including recently completed mapping, please visit https://montourrec.com/chillisquaque-creek/

For more information about the Pennsylvania State Game Lands system, please visit https://www.pgc.pa.gov/…/StateGameLands/Pages/default.aspx

For questions or more information about this event, please contact Bob Stoudt at (570) 336-2060 or RStoudt@MontourRec.com.

Driving directions to the site:

From the intersection of PA-44 and PA-254 in Jerseytown:
• Follow PA-44 North / White Hall Road for 1.0 mile toward White Hall / Exchange / Turbotville
• Turn right onto Swartz Road
• Follow Swartz Road for 0.6 miles to a five-way intersection
• Bear right onto Phillips Road / Coal Mine Road
• Follow Phillips Road / Coal Mine Road for 0.2 miles to Coal Mine Road (directly across from farm driveway)
• Bear left onto Coal Mine Road
• Follow Coal Mine Road for 0.4 miles to the gravel parking area for State Game Lands #226

The parking lot’s GPS coordinates are 41.114221 -76.589293.