Underground Coal Mining in Indiana (CO-16)
Underground coal mining began in Indiana in the early 1830's. With the coming of the railroads, the number of underground mines grew rapidly in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Peak coal production of 29 million tons came in 1918 because of the demand created for coal by World War I. With improved surface mining since the 1920's, underground mining declined, so that today about 2 percent of Indiana's coal comes from underground mines.

About 900 million tons of coal has been produced in Indiana by underground mining. The total area undermined is more than 100,000 acres, or about 150 square miles, mostly in Vermillion, Vigo, Sullivan and Knox Counties. Mines have ranged from one-person operations to mines employing hundreds of workers. The state's largest mine - more than 9 square miles - was King's Station Mine in Gibson County south of Princeton. It closed in 1972.

Our Hoosier State Beneath Us: Coal