Coaldale has generational roots and rural charm
As the name suggests, Coaldale was founded as a coal company town by the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company. The Schuylkill County borough saw rapid growth throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries as miners moved in and the town’s economy revolved around the coal industry. Today, the mines have shuttered, but their legacy remains in museums and in the town’s heritage. Surrounded by the mountains, this community is scenic and almost entirely residential. “It’s a very historic and rural area,” says Realtor Jill Saunders with Saunders Real Estate, who was born and raised in the area. “A lot of people have lived there their whole lives, and their families have roots in the coal industry.”
Indoor fun, outdoor spaces and a historic mining museum
Opened in 1949, the Angela Theatre is more than just a movie house. While it still screens new releases, the theatre offers a VR arena where visitors can play in a 360-degree digital environment. There’s also drone soccer, in which players pilot drones in hopes of scoring goals and dodging opponents. The Coaldale Complex on High Street features a playground, soccer field and basketball court. Nearby, Black Diamond Park features a grassy green space where visitors can picnic or throw a ball around, as well as tennis courts.
The No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum in nearby Lansford traces the area’s coal mining roots. Located within an old mine, the museum offers an immersive experience in which visitors travel 1,600 feet into the mountain in a rail car. “They used to be powered by donkeys, but now they’re electric,” Saunders says. “You go deep down into the mines.” The museum also hosts the Coal Miners Heritage Festival in September. The event includes coal-shoveling contests, sack races, folk music and demonstrations that celebrate the region’s mining culture.
Budget-friendly fixer-uppers and move-in-ready homes
Homes in Coaldale sit on sidewalk-lined streets, within walking distance of churches and historic buildings. The community offers detached and attached rowhouses, ranch-style homes and a few Victorians. Front porches and small yards are common. Many properties do not have driveways, so residents typically park on the street. For under $100,000, homebuyers can find a home in need of major repairs. Move-in-ready properties or those requiring minimal updates can range in price from $120,000 to $230,000.
Panther Valley School District serves community
Coaldale students are zoned for the Panther Valley School District. They can attend Panther Valley Elementary, Panther Valley Intermediate and Panther Valley Junior Senior High School. All three schools receive C ratings from Niche. The high school offers Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment classes with Lehigh Carbon Community College.
Casual dining close to home, essentials in nearby Lansford
Coaldale is primarily residential, with little commercial presence. Rod & Gun Inn, a cozy dive bar, is the local watering hole, open Thursday to Sunday and hosting cornhole tournaments. In Lansford, the next town over, there’s a Boyer’s Food Markets grocery store, some local businesses and a few more dining options, like Coal Miners Bar & Grill. This relaxed restaurant serves American fare. It’s a 20-mile drive to Pottsville, where residents will find a greater concentration of shopping and dining options in a city setting. In case of emergency, St. Luke’s Minters Campus Emergency Room is in Coaldale.
Regional routes and proximity to major cities
Coaldale is a car-dependent town. U.S. Route 209 runs east-west through the community and leads toward other small towns in the region. Buses along this road lead to the nearby towns of Lansford, Lehighton and Jim Thorpe. Coaldale is about 43 miles from Allentown, 80 miles from Harrisburg and 91 miles from Philadelphia. For air travel, Lehigh Valley International Airport is about 37 miles southeast.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
