History Hike Above The Mines To Tell Untold Stories Of Somersville

CONCORD, CA — From the 1850s to the early 1900s, the Mount Diablo Coal Field was the largest coal mining operation in California and the population center of Contra Costa County and now is your chance to learn about the untold stories of the Somersville during East Bay Regional Parks District's History Hike Above the Mines.

Scheduled for Sept. 17, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Black Diamond Mine, participants will learn about how miners excavated the valuable namesake of the park — 'black diamonds' or coal — to support the state’s growing energy demands, a news release announcing the event said.

Somersville was one of five mining towns in the area and supported a thriving community of almost 1,000 residents and although no buildings from the coal mining era remain, there is still evidence of the Somersville community, including artifacts, photographs, census records, newspaper articles, and oral histories.

Naturalists will lead the two-to-three-mile History Hike Above the Mines, that is best suited for those best for ages seven and up, and teach participants about the area's coal and sand mining history.

Wear sturdy shoes and bring a snack and plenty of water. Meet at the Upper Parking Lot. More programs are scheduled in October. For more information, click here.