Port Griffith, Pennsylvania

Port Griffith is an unincorporated community found within the Greater Pittston metropolitan area of Jenkins Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Port Griffith, Pennsylvania
Unincorporated community
View looking down on the southern end of the Village of Port Griffith
Location of Port Griffith in Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 41°18′39″N 75°48′38″W
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyLuzerne
TownshipJenkins
Elevation643 ft (196 m)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
18640
Area code(s)570
FIPS code42-42079
GNIS feature ID1212505[1]
[2]

Geography

Port Griffith is located at 41°18′39″N 75°48′38″W (41.310914, -75.810472)[1] in the Greater Pittston Area of Jenkins Township. Its elevation is 643 feet (196 m). Port Griffith can be found bordering the Susquehanna River.

History

On January 22, 1959, a cave-in occurred at the Knox Coal Mine in Greater Pittston's Port Griffith. Twelve people died, 69 others escaped. One miner, Amadeo Pancotti, was awarded the Carnegie Medal for leading 32 miners to safety. The bodies of the twelve who died were never recovered, despite efforts of divers and an attempt to pump the water out of the mining shafts. The Knox Mine Disaster essentially shut down the mining industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania.[3][4]

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Port Griffith, Pennsylvania. Retrieved on 2008-07-08.
  2. "Griffith PA". Zip Code Lookup. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  3. Stranahan, Susan Q. (1995). Susquehanna, River of Dreams: River of Dreams. JHU Press. p. 161. ISBN 0-8018-5147-5.
  4. "End of a Way of Life Knox Disaster Changed Valley". The Times Leader. January 17, 1999. pp. 1B. (Newsbank)
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