Starting in 1756, exploratory boreholes were drilled on the Witton Castle estate, owned by the Stobart family, to locate commercially viable coal seams.

He expanded the number of trial boreholes, but it wasn't until the development of the Jane Pit in 1819 that commercial coal extraction began.

[1] The commercial success of Witton Park Colliery spurred the development of additional coal mines in the surrounding area, resulting in nearly 100 pits being established within a 5 miles (8.0 km) radius over the next 150 years.

During the 1930s, some moved to help construct the new British Army base at Catterick, or later to work at the Royal Ordnance Factory in Aycliffe.

[4] With limestone and coal sourced from Witton Park, ironstone was initially obtained from established supplies in the West Midlands.

However, due to the large volumes of coal being extracted and the high cost of distribution, a more efficient transportation method was needed.