Historic Pratt Coal Mines Of The Birmingham District

A Photo Compilation Of The Historic Pratt Coal Mines That Once Operated In The Birmingham, Alabama Industrial District From 1878 To 1950. Founded By The Pratt Coal & Coke Company Later Purchased By The Tennessee Coal, Iron And Railroad Company Which Later Was Merged Into A Division Of The United States Steel Corporation. The Coal Mines Were Located In And Around Pratt City (Named After One Of The Original Investors Daniel Pratt) Which Is To This Day Located Six Miles From The City Center Of Birmingham. The Pratt Coal Mines At That Time Were The Largest Operations In The South. In Addition To Underground Mining The Pratt Mines Operated Over 800 Beehive Coke Ovens And A Complete railroad Repair Facility Located At Pratt City. The Birmingham Southern Railroad (Division Of TCI) Handled Rail Transportation Services To All Of The Pratt Mines. TCI's Ensley Blast Furnace And Open Hearth Mill Was Situated Nearly In The Center Of The Pratt Coal Mines. The Pratt No.8 (Wylam) Mine Was Located Between The Company's Fairfield Works And Ensley Furnaces. Convict Leasing To The Pratt Coal Mines Existed From 1880 To 1914 When The Practice Was Disbanded By TCI And U.S. Steel.