Mining in Inverness has played the greatest part in making our town what it is today. Coal in Inverness was for personal use up until 1890 when William Penn Hussey began commercial coal mining at the Big River at the north end of the town. Workers at the time were paid meager wages a day. Hussey continued his work until 1899 upon his retirement. MacKenzie and Mann took over the property in the same year. They began constructing a railway from Port Hastings to Inverness. Most of the coal was shipped to Maine, Prince Edward Island and Europe. Inverness was a booming town with many businesses surviving because of the railway.

In 1901, MacKenzie and Mann began construction of "Company Houses", approximately 80 in all, which were made available to the miners and their families. It was quite a sight at the time, for all the houses were painted the same color, red. Many of these houses still stand, though their colors have changed. This section of town became commonly known as the "Red Rows". They have been the subject of many an artists brush and writer's pen. Tales of miner's struggles to provide for their families are numerous, for they worked 2500 feet underground for little pay, fresh air or light, often putting their lives in danger.

It is interesting to think about what Inverness was like during this time. The mines provided much needed jobs to the area and main street was a very busy section of town with many stores and hotels. During the turn of the century, the Inverness mine attracted laborers from Scotland, Ireland, France, Russia, and Belgium just to name a few. In 1958, the final mine closed. Inverness lapsed into a period of recession. The community's population dropped, businesses folded and for some time our future looked dismal. However, the natural beauty and resources that surround the community always held a promise for the future.

Today there is renewed hope. Our future; we believe, lies in tourism and service industries. Community groups are seeking ways of developing this beautiful area of Cape Breton with it's mountains, beaches, rivers and stunning sunsets to bring tourist dollars to revitalize our economy. (For more information on this and other prospects refer to the section on "Inverness Today".)