[4] Jacksdale's pit was first sunk in 1874 by James Oakes & Co. Its entrance was sited at Selston Road at an "exposed" section of the Nottinghamshire coalfield.

Many well-known bands and singers appeared there in the 1970's: Dr Feelgood (when called The Pig Boy Charlie Band) as mentioned in Julien Temple's film Oil City Confidential ('the silk top hat club'), Bill Haley, Billy Fury, glam rock band Sweet, Mud, Bay City Rollers, Hot Chocolate, soul legends Ben E king, Geno Washington, Edwin Starr, reggae greats Desmond Dekker and Jimmy Cliff, heavy metal acts UFO, Judas Priest, Saxon.

Punk and new wave acts The Stranglers, The Vibrators, UK Subs, The Members, The Ruts, Angelic Upstarts, Ultravox, Adam and the Ants, The Pretenders, Toyah, The Specials, Simple Minds.

However, the following decades saw rapid growth as housing and services were developed for employees at Pye Hill Colliery (opened 1875) and James Oakes and Co, ironworks.

Local amenities include a post office, a supermarket, a chemist, hair salons and barbers, an estate agency and lettings agency, a hardware and motor parts outlet, a repair garage, butchers, a newsagent, a library,[10] the Miners' Welfare, a tearoom, a primary and nursery school,[11] a Pentecostal church, a Chinese restaurant, a community centre, a fish and chip shop, dentists' and doctors' surgeries, care homes, and a garden centre.