"The Bearpark Colliery was sunk in 1872, coal being got the same year. There are three shafts, 1, 2, and 3, the seams worked are the Busty and Hutton, the former being 66 fathoms deep, and the latter about 9 fathoms above it. Coke is made here, and 50 of the ovens are the Simon Carves type, which, with the chemical department, produces benzol oil and ammonia from the coal as by-products, as well as coal-tar. Altogether there are about 1000 men and boys employed at this colliery."

Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham via Durham Mining Museum

NEHL - The Bearpark Colliery complex was an extensive complex dominating the village, which grew around it. There were 8 colliery rows, as well as Aldin Grange Terrace to the south, with small tramways traversing the streets to transport coal. As with every village, there were Primitive and Wesleyan Methodist chapels.