Friday, September 28, 2012

Friday Traveling...!

Today we are taking a trip to Pennsylvania and to a very sad place!

Often, for what ever reason, things are started that just take on a life of their own. This is a case such as that and the worst part is...it is still running on a path of destruction even as we talk about it!

 Centralia, Pennsylvania

Johnathan Faust opened Bull’s Head Tavern in Centralia in 1841, and Centralia was incorporated as a borough in 1866. The anthracite coal industry was the principal employer in the community until the 1960s, when most of the companies went out of business. An exposed vein of coal ignited in 1962 thanks to weekly garbage burning, and as a result a huge underground coal fire commenced. Attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful, and it continued to burn throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Adverse health effects were reported by several people due to the carbon monoxide produced.

In 1979, locals became aware of the scale of the problem when a gas station reported a fuel temperature of 172 degrees Fahrenheit (77.8°C). This provoked widespread attention, boosted in 1981 when a 12-year-old almost plunged to his death as a 4 foot wide, 150 foot deep sinkhole suddenly opened beneath his feet. In 1984, $42 million was spent on relocation, with most residents moving to the nearby Mount Carmel and Ashland. In 1992, Pennsylvania condemned all houses within the borough, meaning that of the 1,000+ residents in 1981 – only a handful now remain – mainly priests. The fire still rages on, and according to experts could do so for another 250 years.

I'm thinking we should have our coffee in the kitchen this morning. Wheat toast with Strawberry Jalapeno Jelly, if that's OK!

10 comments:

rocking R rustics said...


i remember reading about the area in the book "a walk in the woods" and what bothered me then, and now is how can people still be living there? it must smell, and look like an apocolypse movie set.

Momlady said...

Just goes to show how ignorance of consequences can be devastating.

Sixbears said...

That'll teach them not to burn garbage. Nasty problem that'll go on for a long long time.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

HJ, after reading about this post, I'll skip the hot jelly today.

Anonymous said...

I read about this town some years back in one of Bill Bryson's travel books some years back, Centralia certainly does sound like a doomed town. Its miraculous that anyone chooses to stay at all.

linda m said...

That is a sad sorry indeed. I can't believe anyone still lives there. The fact that it is still burning and will continue to do so for another 250 years is amazing. You would think that someone would be able to harness all that energy and put it to use. Oh well, guess it would take a "smart" person for that. Have a great weekend.

JO said...

Man sure can cause some bad things for mother nature. They point fingers in all directions.

I'll have a refill but pass on the jelly. I'll bring some sweet butter.

HermitJim said...

Hey Hunk...
I looked at some of the pictures of the town and surrounding area, and your description is spot on!

The smell is probably indescribable!
Very sad indeed!

Thanks for coming over this morning!


Hey Momlady...
Why would they burn on an exposed vein of coal? Beats me!

I feel for those families!

Thanks for dropping by this morning!


Hey Sixbears...
It does look as though this problem is here to stay! At least, for a long time!

Thanks, my friend, for coming over today!


Hey Beatrice...
Guess I should have made another selection! Sure is good, though!

Thanks for dropping by today!


Hey Anon 7:22...
I can't see why anyone would want to stay, but that's just me.

Always sad to see something like this, to be sure!

Thanks so much for the visit!


Hey Linda...
It does seem like someone could put out the fire, doesn't it? Even after that it probably wouldn't be a safe place to live!

Thanks for the visit today!


Hey JoJo...
Sweet butter is always welcome! Is it local?

Sorry you don't want some jalapeno jelly, but I'll eat your share!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming over today!

Dizzy-Dick said...

I would think that they could harness the thermal energy, especially since it burn for a couple of hundred years. I spent the first half of my life in Western PA and of course I did hear about it.

commoncents said...

I ALWAYS LEARN SOMETHING AT YOUR SITE!

Steve
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com