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A Slovak Town in America |
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Bitumen Photos Circa 1900s |
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Cook's Run Mine Disaster |
| Immaculate Conception Shrine & Cemetery Photos |
| Interior Shrine Photos |
| Immaculate Conception Grave Markers |
Note: The records of Bitumen are held at the Lock Haven County Court House, St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Renovo, PA, and at St. Mary's Church in Lock Haven. Thanks goes to Teresa Kisko for providing this helpful tip for those researching ancestors from Bitumen.
During the later part of the 1800's many people from Eastern Europe decided to immigrate. Many of these immigrants came seeking work and most times, they moved to areas that offered unlimited employment opportunities. This was the case for the town of Bitumen, Pennsylvania. During the years of 1894 to the early 1920's Slovaks came to this town for work, and a new life. It is interesting to scan census figures for this town as it was mostly populated by Slovaks outside of a some individuals of Swedish and Ruthenian heritage. The main attraction for this town was the Kettle Creek Coal Company. This mill offered vast employment opportunities for the new immigrants. Even though the work was dangerous and hard, the jobs were abundant and steady. Bitumen revolved totally around the Kettle Creek Coal Company. Residents lived in company owned homes and shopped in company owned stores as was the practice in some states, especially Pennsylvania and West Virginia. This company had the entire town in its control. If an individual wished to purchase goods from another town, or a Sears Catalog, the company would not permit the delivery of such items. The residents had no choices and were dependent upon local stores. Not only in commerce but also, there was a company doctor who cared for the residents. The review of historical documents shows one doctor was named Dr. Mervine and he treated not only the accident cases in the mines but took care of all other medical needs in the community. Payment of the doctor could take many forms as these immigrant residents had very little financially. Many residents of Bitumen had their own vegetable gardens and some small livestock and poultry. It was not uncommon for a resident to pay the doctor with a chicken, or a basket of tomatoes. These gardens also helped the immigrants to stretch their paychecks and help keep their bill at the company store lower.
After the immigrants had settled in Bitumen the need for a church became necessary. In 1897 with funding from The First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota), Immaculate Conception Slovak Roman Church was built to serve the immigrants spiritual needs. The church was moved several times due to constant expansion of the Kettle Creek Coal Company to where it finally stands today. This church is a wooden, clap-board frame design and is similar to many un-adorned Protestant architectural churches in the region. This church also started a school for its children. Studies in grammar, mathematics and history were combined with religious instruction. The Vincentian Sisters of Charity were called upon to staff the school and teach its pupils. Classes in the Slovak language were also taught to the children as in town it was more common to hear Slovak than English in the shops and stores. Not only were Slovak Roman Catholics members of Immaculate Conception but also, those Slovaks (and some Ruthenians) of the Greek Catholic church attended services. The cemetery that is located next to the church shows old grave stones which are not only Roman Catholic but also Greek Catholic (an Eastern Rite). These Greek Catholics can be identified by their distinct three bar crosses. As time progressed a local public school was added and this was beneficial to residents who could not afford the small tuition to the Catholic school. Bitumen grew as more and more immigrants came due to letters from their families telling them that jobs were available. The town started to take on an atmosphere such as that found in any remote Slovak village. People refrained from work on holy days and had processions in the streets. A band was organized which played on these days and for American holidays and celebrations. Dancing was also an important social function and the town would eventually build two dance halls which would sponsor various events for the public. Also constructed was a Slovak Hall which would be the seat of two Slovak fraternal organizations. Many people in Bitumen had limited financial resources and therefore, had to find forms of entertainment which had no financial requirements. Baseball games were very popular as were picnics and long walks after the Sunday meal.
During the period of World War I the town continued to expand. When America entered the war in Europe many companies in the United States decided to cut their workers salaries. The Kettle Creek Coal Company also implemented this practice. Many of the workers saw their salaries cut while doing the same long hours of work. This practice was to cause much dissent in Bitumen and in other towns and cities throughout the United States. Many immigrant males decided to join the service rather than work for less wages. Joining the service also offered one advantage which they did not have in their home towns. It would offer them an easier way to become American citizens and many joined voluntarily throughout the United States. In Bitumen, the Slovak immigrants banded together and refused to take a cut in their salaries. Being a union mine, the company let their contract expire and then refused to open again. The miners then went on strike and the company brought in new workers to staff the mine. These were times filled with tension as war fever had become prevalent in the United States. Striking was seen as un-American and at its worst, treason. Many striking miners were evicted from their company owned homes and this was a great hardship for many. Company and local police constantly patrolled not only the Kettle Creek Coal Company property but, the town itself as they felt they not only owned the mine, but, the town as well. As the strike progressed and people lost their homes, many decided to leave Bitumen. Relocating was common to other cities and towns where relatives lived or where friends told them of employment opportunities. One place which many residents migrated to was Trenton, New Jersey. Trenton at this time offered many benefits over Bitumen, the best being New Jersey had outlawed the company store and home practices soon after the turn of the century. Trenton’s employment base was expanding due to its region. Mines and mills of coal or other based fuel products were not the main base in New Jersey. The manufacturing and production of goods and textiles was always needed and Trenton had large abundance of these companies.
When the strike finally ended many saw no reason to stay in Bitumen. The company had won the day and many families had suffered terribly. When the Kettle Creek Coal Company opened again for full production, many refused to return to their jobs which now had their salaries set at a lower rate. This was the beginning of the demise of Bitumen. As each month came and went, more and more families packed their belongings and compiled their financial resources to leave. The church was a good indication of the numbers who left as the membership began to decline very seriously. The parochial school which had been started at Immaculate Conception Slovak Roman Catholic Church had to be closed. With few students to teach the Vincentian Sisters of Charity left as they were not needed any longer. More and more individuals left Bitumen as word came back from former neighbors of the opportunities in other states and towns. The membership of the church fell so low that it was finally made a mission church for Saint Joseph’s church in nearby Renovo. Things became so desperate that it was suggested the church be dismantled. The few remaining members of Immaculate Conception in Bitumen banded together and petitioned the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese not to do this. By 1969, the members of the church and new residents of Bitumen continued to ask the Diocese to keep the church open. They wished to preserve the church as it was not only a house of worship, but, a historical part of Bitumen and turn of the century immigration. It was decided to turn the church into a shrine and residents and members began the Bitumen Shrine Corporation to protect and maintain the church and cemetery. Collections and donations were received and the church was renovated. Today, this church is totally dependent upon donations for its upkeep and maintenance.
Not only those from Bitumen but others have given of their time and talents to keep this church maintained and functioning. An individual from Renovo took an entire summer by himself and restored the crucifix in the church yard. Many other residents of Bitumen have continued to support and maintain the grounds and church structure. During each Fourth of July weekend there is a reunion held in Bitumen at Immaculate Conception Shrine. Former residents, present residents, friends and supporters gather at this Shrine to see each other and participate in a mass. It is to the credit of the present day residents of Bitumen and all those who are helping to preserve this piece of immigrant history. This small, white clap-board church is a historical delight and one of the very few glimpses into the immigrant experience. The cemetery is also an historians pleasure as many of the stones are very old and have great ethnic historical value. The cemetery, being right along side of the church reminds a person of the villages in Eastern Europe where this practice is seen. It is very uncommon today to find a church which has a cemetery attached to it and especially, one that was begun and almost totally filled with one particular ethnic heritage. Inside the church, the altar is graced by statues of SS. Cyril and Methodius which are honored saints by the Slovak people. This church has seen history in the making and its members labored hard to build and support it. It is a monument to the founders of Immaculate Conception and also to the residents who helped build the town of Bitumen. For those who travel in this area of Pennsylvania, this town is not to be missed as the experience will make a deep impression on the visitor for a very long time.
Bitumen Photos Circa 1900's
We would like to express our thanks and appreciation to Stephen Miller for providing the two photos shown below. Stephen has an excellent site on The History of North Central Pennsylvania at http://www.ncpenn.com
Bitumen in the 1900's
Bitumen School Students, Circa 1909
Names found on Plaque
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