Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Ghost Town : Concrete City


     A little drive south-west from Wilkes-Barre PA is the town of Nanticoke. South from there is a novel display of the coal industries innovation and grandeur in the early 20th centery. The Delaware, Lackwanna, and Western Railroad (DL&W) built a whole town out of concrete to house the coal
miners of the near by colliery. At that time nearly 34% of people lived in some sort of housing owned by the companies they were employed at. Company housing was usually very basic and almost primitive. However, the DL&W had a plan to build modest housing for the minors but keep the building expenses low. This plan


      In 1911, ground was broke to start construction of 20 double homes made of concrete. The homes were arranged in a rectangular way with a central park. Each residence accommodated 2 families with 7 rooms and 4 bedrooms on the 2nd floor. An outhouse and coal bin were placed outside each home. Total cost for the building was approximately $2500 and cost the families $8.00 to rent each month. Once completed the housing development was called “The Garden City of the Anthracite Region”. Homes constantly though the years won garden shows and all was well for the first few years.

      Concrete City started its decline about 2 years after building. The homes had an ongoing issue with condensation inside and out. Inside the plastered walls would leak and need repaired every other year. Outside the paint would need scrapped and repainted every few years. A few more years later the central swimming pool in the park was filled in due to a boy drowning. The Concrete buildings continued to be rented for 11 years. In 1924 township laws required that the Concrete City install a sewer system at the cost of $200,000. The DL&W could not justify the cost and demolishing was scheduled. Over 100 sticks of dynamite were used to level the city. However, the Concrete was well reinforced and barely scratched the buildings.

      Over the years after the failed demolishing, the concrete city was used by the Luzerne Co. Fire company to do test fires and training exercises. The filled in swimming pool was used to burn off chemicals in a controlled fashion. In 1992, the historical area was bought and saved and registered as a historical landmark. The bombed out, burned, and vandalized buildings still remain a shell of the dreams of the coal industry era. No new plans have been made to restore its once award winning gardens. Mother nature continues to slowly take back its land. If you visit the city, use caution.

      The buildings still stand but are dangerous to enter. My trip a few years ago was well worth it. It was amazing to see the concrete giants still standing after all they had been through. When we arrived local paintball players were having a skirmish. We explored the buildings and found they had a basement, and 2 floors. Many of the buildings had holes from the dynamite, a few still had charred marks from the controlled fires. All the buildings were marked with graffiti. The central swimming pool was grown in with vegetation and junk.

      To get to the remains of Concrete City, take Middle Rd which runs south of Nanticoke. Make a left onto Epsy Street then another left onto Front Street. A few yards ahead will be a Historical Marker and a Path leading back to the abandon town. Here are the GPS coordinates 41°11'20.68"N , 75°58'34.34"W.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Pulpit Rocks

  

   While driving through Huntingdon county, I came across an outcropping of rocks along Alexandria Pike Road. Like so many of my blogs, I had just stubble upon another piece of history. It surprises me how many things are almost in my backyard, but I have went through a great part of my life never knowing they were there. When I approached the rocks on the side of the road, a plaque gave me just about all the information I needed on the area. Pulpit Rocks, as its named, is part of a rock formation nearly 390 million years old. The pillars of sandstone were part of the first geological survey of Pennsylvania which was published in 1858. It is now owned by Juniata College and heirs of the Eisenberg family. The college uses it as a teaching tool for geology. It is also used for rock rappelling and training.  



Monday, May 12, 2014

Lost Resting Places: Mcquire Cemetery

     Sometimes I find very interesting things while Geocaching. For those of you who don't know what geocaching is, it is basically a high-tech scavenger hunt. People use GPS receivers to hide boxes and various other things and other people use their GPS to find them. More than likely there is a geocache hidden only a few miles from you live. Anyway, while geocaching a few months ago, I came across another almost forgotten cemetery in Huntingdon County called Mcquire Cemetery.

      Mcquire Cemetery now resides in RothRock State Forest. A short ride on the game land roads, a sign marks the trail leading up to the cemetery. Hiking back the trail you first come across a small bridge over a creek and then make your way up a hill. The cemetery is to the right of the trail and surrounded by a newer wooden fence. All that remains of the cemetery is multiple fieldstones; their names lost to history.

      Upon my arrival to the cemetery, I paid my respects to the early pioneers and began to wonder. How many more small cemeteries also could be out there in the remote parts of Pennsylvania? And how many of them have been forgotten or lost. Mcquire Cemetery gave me a peaceful feeling while being there. Once I had taken a few pictures, we found the geocache near the cemetery and made our way back to our vehicle. Once home from our day of exploring, I began to research more in-depth about the Mcquire Cemetery.

      To my surprise, the area of the cemetery was once host to an indian massacre. Indian raids were a frequent thing during the time the cemetery was established in the late 1790s. There were two families involved in the massacre, Mcquire and Donnelly. Both families had casualties and a few escaped. Legend tells of Jane Mcquire being in a near by field with the cattle when the raid took place. Once the Indians had found her, they grabbed her by the dress just as she grabbed the tail of one of the cattle and was dragged off to safety. It may be hard to believe, but regardless it has helped this encounter to service many generations.

      Directions to this location from Pettersburg PA are as follows. Head west on Rt. 305 (Juniata Valley Pike) and take a right onto Barree Rd. Follow it along the Little Juniata River until you can make a right onto Teaberry Hollow Road. A short drive will then take you to Mcquire Road which will lead to the sign marking the trail.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

1000 Steps Hiking Trail

   
  Imagine having to commute each day for work by climbing 1000 steps. In the early 20th century workers at the Jack's Mountain quarry had to make their way up the mountain side daily whether sun, rain, or even snow. At first the only way up the mountain was to follow the switch back railroad lines that curved up the mountain side. In the 1930s workers constructed an easier path up the mountain, straight up. Thus the 1000 Steps hiking trail was born and is still available to climb today.

      Just west of Mt. Union Pennsylvania lies a part of the Allegheny mountains know as Jack's Mountain. The area was quarried for sand and rock to help build heat proof furnaces for the booming steel industry. At the base of the mountain, known as Jack's narrows, Route 22 runs along the Juniatta river. This essential pass was also home at one time or another to other great transportation means such as the PA Turnpike, PA canal, and the PA Railroad.

      1000 Steps can be enjoyed by anyone who wishes to test their fitness. A small parking area sits along Route 22 near the Mapleton Gas Station west of Mt. Union PA. The trail head is a short walk from the parking area near the guide rail. Water can be seen flowing off the mountain along the trail. The steps are made from the rocks that litter the mountain. Some of the rocks even have fossils to discover along the way. At the top of 1000 steps, 1030 to be exact, if you take the trail to the left you will come across an old building. Continuing left and a short distance up the mountain the best lookout is marked with an old rail. A breath taking view awaits anytime of the year. However, my personal favorite time is in the autumn watching the trains follow the Juniata river into Mapleton. If you decide to take on this well worth challenge, my best advise is to take your time and pack some water.