Welcome to the Slate Belt History home page. This site was created to publicize and preserve little-known aspects of life in the Slate Belt of Pennsylvania.
The Slate Belt comprises the general area around E. Bangor, Bangor, Roseto, Pen Argyl, and Wind Gap. The slate industry here was one of the largest in the world. The 53 operating quarries were dug by hordes of immigrants including Welsh, Italian and Cornish. This ethnic blend left behind a rich and unusual history. Much of it is now lost, except for brief mentions in old newspapers.
My goal is to uncover and share this information by making it searchable and accessible on the web.
Many of these stories were first presented at the Slate Belt Heritage Center's monthly lectures. If you are interested in attending these, they are currently held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Heritage Center, 30 N. 1st St., Bangor, Pa, 18013.
I wish to thank Anna Maria Caldara for all her editing expertise and loving support and Barbara Brandt and the Bangor Library staff for their cheerful help.