Centralia holds a sad spot in Pennsylvania's environmental and social history.
Back in 1962, a surface fire started in the small Columbia County borough and spread to the anthracite coal seams below. Today, after monumental and unsuccessful efforts over the decades to extinguish the fire, the once-active borough has just three remaining residents after the rest were relocated by the state. Its zip code was cancelled, old State Route 61 was closed permanently, and the now-vacant lots, driveways, and streets are being reclaimed by new growth shrubs and trees. The 400-plus-acre underground fire continues to burn, and one estimate suggests it could burn for another two centuries.
Sadly, the near-empty town has become a haven for illegal dumping. But on a recent October weekend, thanks to the wonderful organizing work of Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR) and Pennsylvania filmmaker Joe Sapienza, Jr., more than 60 volunteers came together on a sunny Saturday for a community cleanup.
Robert Hughes and Mike Hewitt of EPCAMR and their staff did inspirational work in
organizing volunteers, sponsors and all of the logistics. The day's work resulted in removing at least five tons of decades-old trash
and 176 tires scattered on hills, empty streets, and ravines. The day was brightened by a surprising abundance of ladybugs alighting on our clothes and hair, and the quiet was broken mostly by the sounds of birds.
As Hughes put it, "’The Town That Was’ is still a town! …We were in Centralia to honor the families that have had to move
on, and to do good for those families that remain in the community...”
I found it was a strong reminder of our shared environmental history in the anthracite region and of the power of this story. It was a great day of people coming together. Another cleanup is planned for Spring 2015 and we'll be happy to help get the word out.
I found it was a strong reminder of our shared environmental history in the anthracite region and of the power of this story. It was a great day of people coming together. Another cleanup is planned for Spring 2015 and we'll be happy to help get the word out.
Kate Gibbons is the northeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Wilkes-Barre.
