The Lost Decade Mining at Cornwall in the 1920s

In this presentation, Mike Weber provided information about a transitional period in the history of the Cornwall Mines in the early 20th century. The 1920s represented a pivotal period in the continued development of the Cornwall Mines. During this decade, Bethlehem Steel exerted control over operations and boosted iron ore production while preparing the Mines for even more production during the following decades. These preparations included upgrades to mining equipment in the Open Pit, as well as initial development of the underground mines No. 3 and No. 4, and process improvements at the Concentrator Plant in Lebanon. This presentation explored these developments and provided highlights from the Cornwall Mines and community from the 1920s.

This talk about "The Lost Decade" was hosted by the Cornwall Iron Furnace Associates on Tuesday, April 11th, 2023.

The presenter, Michael Weber, volunteers as a guide, researcher, and lecturer at Cornwall Iron Furnace. As a 1982 geosciences graduate from Penn State, Mike worked for 36 years as a geologist, health physicist, and manager for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Geological Survey. After retiring from Federal service, he returned to Cornwall Furnace, where he serves as a guide and researches the history of mining and the geology at Cornwall and similar deposits in PA.