Editing Freeland, Pennsylvania (section)

===Coal mining===
Developing [[coal mine]]s in the nearby region created a steep increase in population and a demand for building lots. This led Birkbeck to survey the region for the town of South Heberton. South Heberton has long since lost its identity and is now simply a cluster of houses along Schwabe Street, which is now part of Freeland.<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~paluzern/patk/foster.htm Foster Township, Luzerne Co., Pa<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006011316/http://www.rootsweb.com/~paluzern/patk/foster.htm |date=2007-10-06 }}</ref>

Between 1845 and 1846, Birkbeck built a highway through South Heberton, [[Eckley Miners' Village]], and Buck Mountain; it was known as Buck Mountain Road. Eckley was then known as Shingletown, as the chief industry there was the production of [[Roof shingle|shingles]].

The first child born at South Heberton was Elizabeth Birkbeck, the daughter of founder Joseph Birkbeck and his wife Elizabeth, in 1845. The first death at this place was that of William, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Birkbeck, which occurred February 11, 1846. He was four years old at the time.<ref>[http://www.pacounties.org/freeland/cwp/view.asp?a=1731&q=475625 Freeland: First Settlers<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070527000436/http://www.pacounties.org/freeland/cwp/view.asp?a=1731&q=475625 |date=2007-05-27 }}</ref> The first [[Retail store|store]] at South Heberton was owned by a man named Feist. It was located west of Birkbeck's cabin. The first [[tavern]] was founded by Nathan Howey, the second settler in the region. Prior to the opening of Howey's tavern, Birkbeck accommodated parties, who were prospecting for anthracite deposits, in his own home.