Helvetia - Another mining ghost town

     Helvetia was once a company town in Brady township in Clearfield PA. The land was purchased by a wealthy banker from new york in the early 1890s. The town was made to house the 50+ workers in the near by coal mines. The company town at one time had all the infrastructure of towns today including: a church, school, general store and even a power plant to generate electricity for the mines and town. R&P took last ownership of the town and mines, and in the late 1950's the mines were officially closed. Unfortunately like many coal mining towns, new forms of energy and better opportunities lead to a steady decline in population in the town of Helevita. Now a few buildings stand and are privately owned and maintained such as the general store. A sign and a memorial to the town still exists on the old towns boundaries along the road.

      Arriving to the former town one is greeted by an ominous site of the old power plant. The buildings shell still stands behind the man-made lake that was used to generate power. Once on foot we set out towards the lake and power plant. Along the dirt paths a few remnants of sidewalks and stairs leading into long-gone doorways can be seen. Once at the lake, we met up with a local that was fishing and gave us a little direction to the power plant, as well as, other points of interest to check out. Along the way we came across remains of train cars and rails. Coal seemed to litter the top soil. We finally made it to the old power house which is now covered in vines and trees that block most of the building from the ground entrance. Once inside, much of the area was empty. On the first floor we found old coal shoots and various pipes still intact. The 2^nd floor seemed to be sturdy so we ventured up the crumbling staircase. Once we reached the 2^nd floor, grass and small plants

were growing from the floor. A crane still hung above from the roof on a rail system.

      Besides the old power plant, not much was left to explore. The old mines had been filled in. By using old photographs and current satellite images we could not find any other old structures. There are a few ways to get to the power plant, we unknowingly took the longer way. However, we could spot more of the remnants along the way. I would recommend going to see this place in early spring or late fall when its easier to get through the dense wooded areas. To get to this ghost town, just head east from Luthersburg on Helvita Road and keep an eye out for the power plant in the distance.