In 1862, the colliery was producing 180,000 tons of coal. The pit closed in 1991, the site was cleared apart from the headgear and buildings, which were to be preserved as a memory of the history and heritage of the area's mining past. As well as a way to remember men that tragically lost their lives in the Oaks Colliery disaster.
The Oaks Colliery at Hoyle Mill suffered a series of explosions in December of 1866, where 361 people, including rescue workers, were killed. However, researchers today suggest that number is closer to 380. It is still to this day the worst mining disaster in England.
