Revisit: The Real Silent Hill (Centralia, PA - Underground Mine Fire) with Our Jeeps

[PAFirefighter11]

So this has was my third trip to the town of Centralia, PA. For those who don't know, the town has a mine fire that's been burning for more than 40 years. The town is located in the heart of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Coal Region. This coal is the longest burning, most sought after coal in the world. The fire was said to have begun when a fire in the town dump jumped to an exposed coal vein. The rest is all history. More info here (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FCentral ia%2C_Pennsylvania&ei=wtEESd_2BZXwvAWt2PnnDQ&usg=AFQjCNF__Cq1n2TwxL9iWCLdZrIWFwj_8A&sig2=t2K9hD2p0wZr1B-_bB8Wxg) & here (http://www.offroaders.com/album/centralia/centralia.htm).

My co-worker and I took our Cherokee's and two friends on the 2 hour drive up into the Coal Region. The white one is on the current Autumn XJ catalog cover, though he has removed some pieces as you can see. The weather as 62* with heavy rain, thunder, lightning, and wind gusts in excess of 30 MPH. It made for some hard shots. I did have plastic rain protection for the camera, so that was a plus. I did take a few HDR's, without a tripod, as well as "normal" photos. No PP aside from Photomatix on the HDR's.

Nikon D70s, kit 18-70:

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402526767_YmKeZ-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402528089_fkYGe-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402529029_fUdmG-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402531571_Nn6QJ-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402532488_ksLNk-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402533349_mMosf-XL.jpg

[PAFirefighter11]

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402534975_qaqzD-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402526618_v2Xj8-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402526483_ijWfh-XL.jpg


HDR's:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402525315_MNjrw-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402538053_CbX63-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402538731_jxfxD-XL.jpg

[PAFirefighter11]

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402538401_eX8Ai-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402525044_EBztD-XL.jpg

I'll be investigating another area of Centralia in December. I can't wait!

Some additional info:

"Writer Roger Avary had said that as a boy, his father, who was a mining engineer, used to tell him stories about the town of Centralia, Pennsylvania, United States where coal deposits from the local mine caught fire and released toxic gases into the town, as well as creating sinkholes when the abandoned mineshafts and coal seams began to collapse. This forced the majority of inhabitants to evacuate forever. Avary was fascinated since childhood by the idea that fires underneath the town would be burning for such a long time and the story of Centralia was used as the basis for the township of Silent Hill.[4] When the script was finished, a studio memo was sent to Gans and Avary that voiced concerns about the lack of a male presence in the film, since the original story contained a nearly all female cast. Gans and Avary added Christopher's character (named after Gans) and subplot and the script was approved."

&

"The 'real' Silent Hill
Main article: Centralia, Pennsylvania

Writer Roger Avary states about Silent Hill that "the base idea was that this is not a haunted house, it's a haunted town, y'know, separate from our reality, but it also exists within our reality. So you effectively become a ghost during your time there. And it's a very terrifying emotion, that you are a ghost of yourself. Frankly I think it's a theme that's followed me."'

In researching the different elements of Silent Hill, screen writer Roger Avary was inspired when he heard of Centralia, Pennsylvania, and decided to base the film on it. The population of the town has dwindled from over 1,000 residents in 1981 to 12 in 2005[25] and 9 in 2007,[26] as a result of a 46-year-old mine fire burning beneath the borough.

In 1962, an exposed vein of coal ignited, due to the standard policy of burning the garbage on a weekly basis in the borough landfill. Attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful, and it continued to burn throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Adverse health effects were reported by several people due to the carbon monoxide produced.

In 1984, Congress allocated more than $42 million for relocation efforts. Most of the residents accepted buyout offers and moved. Today a handful of occupied homes remain in Centralia. Most of the buildings have been razed, and at casual glance the area now appears to be a meadow with several paved streets through it, and some areas are being filled with new-growth forest."

[Rykker]

very nice pics!

[JAFO]

Sweet Pics... Haven't seen the movie. Looked cool though... LOL!!!

[tonylong]

I live about 20 minutes drive from Centralia, have relatives living there. They won't move. I didn't realize you could drive into the smoky area. My uncle was a miner there. He said the mine owners keep resetting the fires to force the homeowners to sell so they could strip mine the area - that's way cheaper than deep mining, They've never succeeded in buying all the residents out. We're real stubborn here. So they are at a standoff. Can't strip, won't dig.

[Rykker]

So people still live there? What do they do for jobs to make a living and stuff like that?

[PAFirefighter11]

Thanks all :-D

Tony: I made sure to get a photo of the Yuengling Brewery while driving through your lovely town. It's kinda blurry so I don't feel like posting it unless everyone really wants to see. I'd love to chat with some of the residents in Centralia. Every time I am there, though, it's been raining! My ex and I stayed at her aunts house in Ashland for a weekend. The whole weekend was great until we decided to head to Centralia. Rainy/Thunderstorms while we were there and perfectly sunny as we headed off to Knoebels!

Rykker: Centralia is only about 2 miles outside of Ashland. Ashland is a town like any "mountain town." There are stores, restaurants, houses, gas stations, and much more there. There's also the town of Mount Carmel a few miles away as well. Same deal.

[Speed911]

So... this thing has been burning for 40 years? And still is?

[Jason Clark]

So... this thing has been burning for 40 years? And still is?

And with the ammount of coal in the ground just in Pennsylvania and West Virginina, that fire could be burning for generations to come.

Coal is odd in that it doesn't need a lot of oxygen to burn. Once lit, it can smoulder for an amazing length of time.

[tonylong]

So people still live there? What do they do for jobs to make a living and stuff like that?

My Great Aunt is a retired sewing machine operator from the now nearly defunct PA textile industry. Others of the possibly scores living in Centralia itself, and hundreds in the surrounding area (aka Greater Centralia Metropolitan Region he he) likely commute to the many nearby industrial parks, distribution centers, and other recently built industries. It's an inexpensive place to live, and there is hunting and fishing to augment meat.
I live in Frackville, was born here but grew up and lived in other places until I came back in 1982. Supposed to be a temp consulting job but I ended up staying on.

[tonylong]

Read your? bulletin in this site:
www.defensivecarry.com (purple88yj)

Re emt staff reactions to a concealed weapon, here in PA our State Constitutiobn reads: "The right of the people to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE QUESTIONED". That means it's just nobody's business, even a Police officer has no right to challenge or even ask if someone's armed. Of course if you're under arrest for a valid reason you will be disarmed. So if an emt staffer would see a weapon, they might ask to position it for treartment safety.
When I was in a Hospital recently a nurse saw my revolver when she went thru my pants, and called their security. They demanded I turn the gun over to them. Instead I called the police and wanted them arrested for unlawful seizing my gun, and called my attorney to file suit against the Hospital and all involved staff. The local cops suggested that the Hospital security ask me nicely if I'd turn the gun over for safekeeping and to prevent theft. They did, and I did, too.

The attorney I called was one I had been referred to bu the NRA long ago. Yah, I'm one of THEM gun nuts. My motto is "Shoot back first".

[EMS 34 20]

Pa next time you go to Centralia let me know I'd be up for a day trip

[PAFirefighter11]

I'll most likely be going back to Centralia in late December / Early Feb. Snow, wind, cold. I love it! :)

[fishnjeeps]

And with the ammount of coal in the ground just in Pennsylvania and West Virginina, that fire could be burning for generations to come.

Coal is odd in that it doesn't need a lot of oxygen to burn. Once lit, it can smoulder for an amazing length of time.
Now if only we could use it to power homes, we'd probably spend less in energy...:D

[loaf]

Read your? bulletin in this site:
www.defensivecarry.com (http://www.defensivecarry.com) (purple88yj)

Re emt staff reactions to a concealed weapon, here in PA our State Constitutiobn reads: "The right of the people to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE QUESTIONED". That means it's just nobody's business, even a Police officer has no right to challenge or even ask if someone's armed. Of course if you're under arrest for a valid reason you will be disarmed. So if an emt staffer would see a weapon, they might ask to position it for treartment safety.
When I was in a Hospital recently a nurse saw my revolver when she went thru my pants, and called their security. They demanded I turn the gun over to them. Instead I called the police and wanted them arrested for unlawful seizing my gun, and called my attorney to file suit against the Hospital and all involved staff. The local cops suggested that the Hospital security ask me nicely if I'd turn the gun over for safekeeping and to prevent theft. They did, and I did, too.

The attorney I called was one I had been referred to bu the NRA long ago. Yah, I'm one of THEM gun nuts. My motto is "Shoot back first".

Where did this come from? One minute we're talking about coal fires and then you're getting your gun seized? :confused:

[Rykker]

isnt that jason crawfords screen name for tha forum too?

[loaf]

isnt that jason crawfords screen name for tha forum too?

What? The PurpleYJ name? That's Jason Clark if I'm not mistaken.

[DrLewall]

as for wheeling Centralia, what are the chances of falling into a burnt out sink hole? Would really suk if you were creeping along and then the front end starts dipping down into a bottomless fire hole! (GADS! That almost reads like a scene from a prison movie)

[4bob4]

Where did this come from? One minute we're talking about coal fires and then you're getting your gun seized? :confused:
that's exactly what I was thinking. Good pics as always man. Keep it up.

[Jason J Crawford]

isnt that jason crawfords screen name for tha forum too?

Jason J Crawford on this BB

ABN82MP on all others.

[Jesse-James]

So people still live there? What do they do for jobs to make a living and stuff like that?

According to Wikipedia there are 9 known residents in town.

[Jason J Crawford]

According to Wikipedia there are 9 known residents in town.

Sounds like my kind of place.

[Rykker]

What? The PurpleYJ name? That's Jason Clark if I'm not mistaken.

Oops yeah thats who I meant. Sorry Jason's, I goofed

[Jason Clark]

What? The PurpleYJ name? That's Jason Clark if I'm not mistaken.

You are not mistaken, purple88yj is my screen name on every other board that I am on.

[Jason Clark]

According to Wikipedia there are 9 known residents in town.

Sounds like my kind of place.

If it weren't for the wife and kids, I would say that that town was over populated by about eight.

[Jason Clark]

Oops yeah thats who I meant. Sorry Jason's, I goofed

No problem here. Quite frankly, I am surprised that there hasn't been more confusion here with two JC's.

[DrLewall]

No problem here. Quite frankly, I am surprised that there hasn't been more confusion here with two JC's.
Just like Amos and Andy, Martin and Lewis, Abbot and Costello..(geeze, I'm dating myself here huh..)

[RedNeckTJ]

There is a kid at my school that has a picture of his jeep next to the picture of the big crack in the road. I've never met him, but i saw his picture at school and his jeep is parked in a parking lot on my way to work. I had never heard of this place before, and now it's come up twice in 2 months.

[PAFirefighter11]

I just purchased a new, Pro camera body .. a Nikon D2x (I still have the old D70s body as well), so there will be plenty more, and hopefully better, photos after December 14th (My next trip most likely). It's a very intriguing place and there's even more I have yet to search for. I have a few more locations in Centralia that I'll be documenting this next go around. It's either rained or snowed every time I've been there, so I am hoping for good weather for once.

[cueball]

why dont you go near the cemetary and shoot the dynamic between the cemetary with the grass and then the dying/smoldering trees just outside of the cemetary.

i have quite a bit of family buried in that cemetary. That is one thing that the state didnt offer the living residents - the opportunity to relocate their deceased family's gravesites. My grandfather owned a house on Troutwine street and moved in the mid 90s.

[PAFirefighter11]

Wow, I had no idea man. Which cemetery? There are 3 there if my memory serves me well.

[Bada-Bing.]

Looks like you spent a lot of time covering up all the graffiti with gravel to get that shot... also cool pic of that russian orthodox church.

[PAFirefighter11]

I didn't move around any gravel anywhere. Everything sits as it was shot. But I did try to work the angle so there wasn't much graffiti. And thanks. Inspiration for the church in Silent Hill I've been told.

[MIJeep]

those HDR pics are awsome!!!....what is HDR? I'm assuming high def...something. How do you do that?

[Bada-Bing.]

You may have not but someone else took the time to do it though. You can see all the gravel on the road covering the graffiti.
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/photos/402532488_ksLNk-XL.jpg

In my photo you can see how much is actually there
http://photos-574.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v317/127/45/31709574/n31709574_33434647_6041.jpg

[cueball]

Wow, I had no idea man. Which cemetery? There are 3 there if my memory serves me well.

Sts Peter and Paul. My grandparents purchased pews for that church waaaay back..

[PAFirefighter11]

those HDR pics are awsome!!!....what is HDR? I'm assuming high def...something. How do you do that?

It's known has a High Dynamic Range photo. It's basically a combination of 3-9 separate photos into 1. I've been asked this many times before so let me copy/paste what I usually reply with lol:

HDR refers to High Dynamic Range. It basically allows you to photograph a subject as it truly appears, or BETTER in many cases.

The basic principal behind it... I use a Nikon D2x and a Nikon D70s. They both allow me to use "Bracket" shooting. I set my bracketed shots for 3 shots (on the D70s), each 2 stops different from the other. This basically creates three photos: -2, 0, and +2. On the D2x it's better with 5 shots, 1 EV apart. You then use a program, Photomatix in my case, to merge them together. Once merged, it's still nothing special. You then need to use that program to "Tone Map" the new single image. This is what brings out the final product.

You can also use just one imagine, ONLY if it's a RAW image. This helps for you to take photos in diverse conditions (moving vehicle traffic, pedestrians, trees, whatever). You then use a RAW editing program to change the stops manually as with the 3 photo routine. You then save 3 versions of that original RAW. -2, 0, and 2 EV as before. Make sure the RAW editing program does NOT save file info, and if it does delete it. If this is not done, it will not work properly and will look like poop. At this point, you then go ahead and Tone Map as before, and you get a similarly good final product.



You may have not but someone else took the time to do it though. You can see all the gravel on the road covering the graffiti.

In my photo you can see how much is actually there


Ah, I didn't notice that before. I have noticed the loads of graffiti there in previous trips. It's poured rain with high winds or been snowing with high winds every time I've been there, so I never really get too much outside of my Jeep time.



Sts Peter and Paul. My grandparents purchased pews for that church waaaay back..

Ah, wow man. I'll run by it and see if I can get some shots like what you said. If I am coming up 61 North, is it the cemetery on the right? The first one on the left? Or the one set back further on the left?