The town was named in honor of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt , the legendary founder of the New York Central Railroad, which owned the coal company.
In 1919, the Clearfield Bituminous Coal Corporation (CBCC) decided to build more than just a mining camp; they wanted to create a superior community for their workers. While most coal towns of that era consisted of drafty wooden shacks and outdoor privies, Commodore was designed with a touch of luxury for its time. 157224 zip
At its peak in 1922, the Commodore mine was a powerhouse, producing over 1,000 tons of coal every day. While the mine was dismantled shortly after World War II, the town didn't disappear. Because the company had built such high-quality homes, many miners were able to purchase them and stay. The town was named in honor of Commodore
Today, the is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places , with nearly 100 original buildings still standing. The old company store, once the center of commerce for the miners, now serves as a community center for the residents who still call this "model town" home. At its peak in 1922, the Commodore mine
The ZIP code (assuming a slight typo for 157224, as ZIP codes are five digits) belongs to the small town of Commodore, Pennsylvania , a place that began as a "model" experiment in the coal mining industry. The Story of a "Model" Town