Coal still remaining under what was Centralia, PA

Lots of coal still remains under the town of Centralia, PA. Maybe this is the reason the town was condemned - to get at that coal. Now that the fire has moved on, I am sure the mining companies are biting at the bit to get at this coal. (Map courtesy DEP)

More information at:

http://www.centraliapa.org/coal-seams-under-centralia-pennsylvania/

For 1 week only - from December 29 through January 7 - you can purchase the Kindle version of my book, "Centralia PA, Devils Fire." for on 99 cents! Fun to read, even if you don't have a particular interest in Centralia. It is a fictional story, loaded with facts and metaphors as in "The Wizard of Oz." A must read, and now only $0.99! 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=books&keywords=Centralia+Pa+Devils+Fire&linkCode=ur2&tag=consumersrevenge&linkId=M7PGDACFXJY7KLZ4

Another wonderful book on Centralia by a local author is The Day The Earth Caved In by Joan Quigley:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Day-Earth-Caved-In/dp/0812971302/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=consumersrevenge&linkCode=w00&linkId=J65WFZKUMIOCBKFK&creativeASIN=0812971302

Beginning on Valentine’s Day, 1981, when twelve-year-old Todd Domboski plunged through the earth in his grandmother’s backyard in Centralia, Pennsylvania, The Day the Earth Caved In is an unprecedented and riveting account of the nation’s worst mine fire. In astonishing detail, award-winning journalist Joan Quigley, the granddaughter of Centralia miners, ushers readers into the dramatic world of the underground blaze. Drawing on interviews with key participants and exclusive new research, Quigley paints unforgettable portraits of Centralia and its residents, from Tom Larkin, the short-order cook and ex-hippie who rallied the activists, to Helen Womer, the bank teller who galvanized the opposition, denying the fire’s existence even as toxic fumes invaded her home. Like Jonathan Harr’s A Civil Action, The Day the Earth Caved In is a seminal investigation of individual rights, corporate privilege, and governmental indifference to the powerless.

What the book, "Centralia PA, Devils Fire" is all about!

It is winter and book sales have slowed. Sold a few for Christmas gifts, and some at the local bookstores. Hey! This book is not just for folks interested in Centralia! It is a fun, if not campy, sort of novel, wrapped in three levels of writing. The first is as a "campfire" tale, with demons and priests and witches. But, just like "The Wizard of Oz" these demons actually are metaphors for the mining company interests. The priests, witches and others are the townspeople, the Molly Maguires, and others coming to save the day. And overall, the book represents my personal beliefs regarding big business, politics, and religion. All of the information in the book is accurate historically, but has been re-positioned to fit the novel. So, when the story speaks of demons, of course there were no REAL demons, however, the demons used as metaphors are historically accurate, as are all of the services performed, etc. In short, you can learn a lot of history while enjoying a fun story aimed at readers of all ages!

Centralia PA, Devils Fire - What "Silent Hill" should have been!

A bit of clarification on my book.

This story is based on an actual town legend and actual history. All historical details are factual, the demons represented are metaphorical. This is a unique story written on three levels. The first is the "campfire tale" level, basically just a fun novel to tell around the campfire. The second is the metaphorical level, where the demons represent the mining companies and mining interests and those fighting the demons represent the residents and others working for the miners and the town. The final and most important level is the overall reason for writing this novel - the personal beliefs of the author; on big business, politics religion and humanity in general. When you comprehend the story at this level you have read it correctly (it may take more than one reading to grasp the full complexity of the story.)

One photo says it all, Centralia PA time capsule opening, 10/4/2014

Looks like the Centralia time capsule is going to be opened this Saturday instead of 2016. Seems that the vandals that destroyed it also let water get into the contents. There will be a distribution of contents and food and refreshments this Saturday (10/6) beginning at noon at the Centralia American Legion in Wilburton No. 2. Contact for the event is Commander Ed Lawler, 570-205-9495.