In the tiny borough of Archbald, near the charming PA Heritage Community of Carbondale, you’ll find a true one-of-a-kind natural wonder: the largest pothole in the world, the Archbald Pothole!
The Discovery of The Archbald Pothole
“It was discovered in April 1883 by Patrick Mahon a miner employed by Jones, Simpson & Co. The men were opening a chamber in an airway and they struck the pothole after discharging a blast. They immediately reported to operators that they had found an outcrop, but the latter knew this could not be so and continued to prosecute work at that point. Large round stones and gravel began to pour into the mine, and after removing great quantities of this the rim of the hole was found. The pothole was then bratticed and used as an air shaft. Negotiations were begun for the purchase of the ground surrounding the pothole. Col. Hackle, the owner, declined to sell, but he appropriated $500 for the preservation of the pothole in the interests of science.”
“In 1914, the Lackawanna Historical Society secured the deed for the acre of land comprising the pothole from Mrs. C.B. Hackley, whose late husband owned the land on which the pothole is located. The Society operated the site until July 10, 1960, when it was named a State Park and the State of Pennsylvania took over operations of the pothole park.” Source: Archbald Borough
