The town was named in honor of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt , the legendary founder of the New York Central Railroad, which owned the coal company.
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 157224 zip
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. The town was named in honor of Commodore
The houses were built from durable concrete block (later pressed-clay tile) rather than wood. Even more remarkable for 1919, the town featured a complete sewer system and indoor toilets—luxuries unheard of in neighboring mining communities. While most coal towns of that era consisted
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.