It was (and still is) quite common for surface land to be sold off, the underground rights to minerals and valuables being kept. Usually the buyer gets to keep about 50 feet deep. Having bought property over oil land several years ago, I had that same restriction on mineral rights (not just the oil) in my deed. Restrictions are known as 'covenants', and are perfectly legal and enforceable. One of the more common covenants is the reservation of rights-of-way for utilities, or, perhaps certain asthetic restrictions preventing the building of antennas, or parking RV's, or attaching car-ports, for example. The prohibition from selling alcohol is certainly unusual however. -----Original Message----- From: PUSTULKA@aol.com <PUSTULKA@aol.com> To: PALACKAW-L@rootsweb.com <PALACKAW-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, October 11, 2001 7:05 PM Subject: [PA-LAC] Deed from Pawnee Coal Co. >Hi List, > >I found the most unusual land deed. It is referred to as an indenture. ..... Did Coal Companies sell >surface land but keep the rights to the minerals underneath? Could you >stipulate that someone could not sell alcohol when you sold land? ....