The McArthur Mining Company (a.k.a. Corunna Coal Company) is a defunct coal mining company. It was Michigan's first coal mine, with the first coal mined in 1839. Beginning history The beginnings of the McArthur Mining Company were in 1836. Alexander McArthur occupied at that time the only log house in Shiawassee County along the Shiawassee River in Caledonia Township in section 22. A geological survey was done that same year for the State of Michigan. Douglass Houghton was placed in charge of it. Corunna and Caledonia Township, in Shiawassee County were visited during the progress of the state survey. The examination of sections 22 and 23 of Caledonia Township made at the time along the Shiawassee River indicated the presence of coal, shale, and fire clay; but none were actually discovered then. In 1839 McArthur discovered coal on his land near a clearing where Indians dug clay for their pottery on the bank of what was to be called Coal Creek, a stream that fed into Shiawassee River. McArthur first took out small quantities of coal for his own use. Later he sold the coal mostly to blacksmiths, who came from considerable distances to obtain it because of its quality. The veins he found were rich in high quality coal and it was even reported that from an 8-foot x 9 foot vein McArthur mined 460 bushels of coal and shale in one year. Even in 1841 this was the only mine in Michigan from which coal was excavated for commercial use. His coal-selling business was successful and increased tremendously in a short time. He then delivered his coal in wagons pulled by horses, selling it for ten cents a bushel. Mid-life history McArthur obtained in 1864 the assistance of B. Brisco, master mechanic of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, in making investigations of his coal deposits to determine its value for mining. There were certain investors from New York City who became interested in the results of the reports of McArthur's coal. It was decided then to officially make a company for the purpose of mining that coal. Funds of $100,000 were raised. McArthur sold then to the investors on April 22, 1865, to the new-born company a plot of land consisting of 120 acres on the east half of the northwest quarter and the west half of the west part of the northeast quarter of section 22. The