
Figure 21.—WaTERCOLOR OF MAucu Cuunk, ca. 1845, by an unknown artist. (L.C.N.C.) 
they provided the only carrier between Stoddartsville 
and Easton. 
The Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company began 
regular shipments of anthracite from the region in 
1820, after some navigational improvements were made 
on the Lehigh River. Seventeen years later, in 1837, 
the Beaver Meadows Railroad and Coal Company be- 
came the next anthracite producer in the region, By 
January 1845, 18 companies with a total capitalization 
of $12.65 million were formed and chartered to conduct 
mining operations. 
Eight of these companies chartered during this 
period (including the two that ceased operations) were 
actively engaged in the mining and transportation of 
anthracite to market and had invested approximately 
$10.5 million. The remaining 10 companies were de- 
veloping their properties, but made no shipments of 
coal to market prior to January 1845. 
The first steam locomotives in the Lehigh region ap- 
peared during 1836 on the railroad operations of the 
Beaver Meadows Railroad and Coal Company. The 
success of these locomotive experiments were imme- 
diately recognized by the operators. As market require- 
ments increased, so did the use of locomotives. Coal 
movements were more easily facilitated by using 
steam power and the navigation company was soon 
challenged to provide more efficient transportation 
facilities. 

——_ } 
oS Contractors, 
WROPOSALS will be received at the office of | 
- The Lebigh Coul & Navigation Company |) 
cither to Mach Chunk or Phitadeiphia until the |! 
71h of nex! month. for minidg and delivering into), 
boats from the sncimit hill mines 200,000 Sons of | 
Coal, during next seas The Company pro-), 
Pose to divide the mines ito two or more parts, | 
and to be worked by as many companies of can- |) 
traciors. Specifications & mode of working the 
mines can be seen and blink proposalstiad ateith- || 
er of the above offices. For further inlormation || 
apply to the ewperintendest or mine agent at i 
Mauch Chugk. | 
E. A. DOUGLAS, |, 
Supt. & Eng. |, 

Mauch Chork, 
Nov. 19h. 1844. 

Figure 22.—LrnicH Coat ANbD NAviGATION COMPANY 
November 21, 1844, request for bids from subsidiary 
companies. (Mauch Chunk Courter.) 
118 BULLETIN 252: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY 
