{"id":111,"date":"2025-08-05T19:17:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T19:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/girardvilleborough.org\/?page_id=111"},"modified":"2025-08-27T17:21:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T17:21:42","slug":"the-biggest-little-town-this-side-of-the-atlantic","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/girardvilleborough.org\/?page_id=111","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A Town Born of Legacy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Girardville\u2019s story begins with Philadelphia philanthropist Stephen Girard<\/strong>, who in 1830 purchased land from the heirs of Pennsylvania founder William Penn. Though he died in 1831 and never visited, the town founded in his name began with the construction of the Girard Mansion<\/strong> in 1832 and blossomed into a vibrant coal town over the coming decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Rise of Coal and the Girard Colliery<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discovery of anthracite coal in 1853 transformed Girardville into a booming center of mining activity. The Girard Colliery<\/strong>, later known as the Hammond Breaker, opened in 1863 by Cornelius Garretson, would go on to ship over 4.5 million tons of coal<\/strong> before its closure in the 1920s. The colliery changed hands multiple times, playing a key role in powering America’s industrial growth and drawing thousands of immigrant workers to the region. (Photo Credit: Girardville Historical Society)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Labor Movements and the Molly Maguires<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Girardville became a hotbed of early labor activism. “Black Jack” Kehoe<\/strong>, the town\u2019s high constable and union advocate, was later linked to the Molly Maguires<\/strong>, a secret society of Irish miners fighting for workers’ rights. Though hanged in 1878, Kehoe received a posthumous pardon in 1979<\/strong>, thanks to the efforts of his great-grandson, Joseph Wayne<\/strong>, who continues to operate The Hibernian House<\/strong>\u2014a living museum, local pub and inn. (Link to Hibernian House Website Below with full history and photos)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Thriving Community Takes Root<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time Girardville was incorporated in 1872<\/strong>, the population had grown to over 3,000. The town developed rapidly with schools, churches, railroads, businesses, gas stations and water services<\/strong>, and even its own opera house<\/strong> and newspaper<\/strong>. It was a cultural and economic hub of the anthracite coal region. (Photo Credit: Girardville Historical Society)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Notable People of Girardville<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Girardville has been home to a number of remarkable figures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n