Maps

The maps were originally indexed on notecards using a Coxe Brothers "classification system" which used a numbered fraction. The top portion of the fraction is a letter code for the colliery (e.g. "O") means Oneida, followed by a numeric class code (e.g. O-1) which means Class 1. On the bottom portion of the fraction is the subclass number followed by the map number. Therefore, O-1 over 2-3 translates to Oneida Colliery, Class 1, Subclass 2, Map 3. If known, the classification number is included. A mining map survey, conducted in 1991, by the Division of Work and Industry staff, consists of item level survey sheets that captured object number, title, company, mine name, date, material, dimensions, draftsman/engineer, copies, physical condition, and topic. Topics included: land ownership, legal disputes, mine locations, statistics, transport system, utilities, breakers, geological, mechanical, mining plans, and surface facilities. Researchers should consult the map indices/surveys in Boxes 15 and 16 because not all data from the map survey was migrated to the finding aid. Some maps of non-Coxe Brothers properties were included in the collection. There are several possible explanations. It is possible that additional materials were filed with them at the National Museum of American History by mistake, but some of the maps have similar tags to the Coxe maps, which makes it unlikely that all of them were added later. It is possible that some stem from consulting engineering work performed by Eckley Coxe. Coxe was an excellent engineer and was well-known in the anthracite fields for his expertise. Anecdotal reports of Coxe being called in to consult on tricky problems exist, and it is possible more formal relationships also existed (such as with the Girard Estate). Another possibility is that these non-Coxe maps represent areas that the Coxes were considering leasing or purchasing. Finally, some maps may have been added to the collection when Coxe Brothers was owned by Lehigh Valley Rail Road.