The second town to be incorporated in Broad Top Township (after Hopewell) was Coaldale. It is situated along the north side of Six Mile Run to the northeast of Hopewell. Originally known as 'Fair Play', the town also became known as Six Mile Run because that is the name assigned to the post office that was opened there.
The post office was established on 14 February 1851 and on 01 December 1895 the name was shortened into two words: Sixmile Run. On 01 December 1905, the name was changed back to three words: Six Mile Run. Although many local residents call their town Coaldale, the name was already taken by Coaldale Borough in Schuylkill County, so the post office has to this day retained the Six Mile Run name. Therefore the borough's businesses and residents use the Six Mile Run address. A town was surveyed and laid out on lands owned by Amos W. Evans in 1855. A store had already been established there during the year prior by Lemuel Evans. In 1855 a hotel was built be George W. Figard in the vicinity. In 1861, when E. L. Walker published his map of Bedford County, the town was labeled as Fair Play.
Under the name of Coaldale, the town was incorporated on 09 September 1865. The International Order of Odd Fellows established Lodge #588 at Coaldale in 1866.
