The mining trade witnessed advancements when technology and capital merged as industrialists worked to overcome the physical limitations of the landscape.  The nation's first transportation tunnel was constructed as part of the Schuylkill Canal near Landingville in Schuylkill County during the 1820's.  Gravity railroads helped the coal miners to raise their precious black diamonds from deep valleys over the steep mountains that surrounded the mining communities near Mauch Chunk, Summit Hill, Ashley Planes, and Mahanoy Plane.  In addition, railroad tunnels were cut through the mountains so that coal could be shipped to market faster.