Anthracite Region, Pennsylvania

Photographs by Shaun O'Boyle

 
Route 61, Ashland, PA, snow flurries starting.
The hard coal region of PA is an area that has been hard on its topography, the landscape has been reshaped in response to the demand for coal. Man made mountains are frequent; tailings piles stand next to where mountains once stood. It is a unique region, with a unique culture, architecture and history. One has the impression that the towns and Patches are huddled against nature. The houses are close packed dense neighborhoods, row houses sharing walls, and then - open rural land, where the tree grown piles of displaced earth can be seen through the woods and along the roads. After a rain the streams can run thick with the dust of processed earth. It's an area that has a lot of neglected architecture; roadside buildings, businesses and houses that have been abandoned.

 
Bench, crossroads of Rt 61 and 42, Centralia, PA

 
Smoke and steam from underground coal fire burning since 1962, Centralia, PA

 
Active anthracite strip mine, Centralia, PA

 
Typical house in the coal region.

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I encourage comments on these photographic essays, please send along your thoughts to me at smo@oboylephoto.com   Also please consider purchasing a print to help support this site. All photographs copyright Shaun O'Boyle 2006-2007.