 Because of the adverse topology, the LC&N took several decades to survey and drive a railbed with a negotiable grade from Mauch Chunk through Nesquehoning, along the Nesquehoning ridge to Hometown, and then up the Panther Creek Valley from Tamaqua.Coaldale also became the site of a State Hospital that was established to take care of coal miners.During the early years of mining in the Panther Valley, badly injured miners were taken to Ashland or Pottsville.