Exploring and photographing southwestern PA's abandoned mines, industry, homes...and whatever else we may find. A little history, a little legend...from the most massive structures to the minute details we walk past every day.
A little bit of history dug out from the Sokol attic - pictures taken by my grandfather during the Nemacolin Mine fire and the rescue operations in 1971. (these photos are scans of slides)
Some history on the Nemacolin Mine Fire... At about 10am on March 26, 1971, a fire occurred in the Nemacolin Mine in the 118 Straight Mains section. Out of the 125 people underground at tthe time, there were 11 working in 118, 9 of which escaped. In total, 3 people died - the 2 underground at the time and 1 death occuring on April 16 in conjunction with fighting the fire. If you're interested in learning more about the fire and to see many mre pictures, check out Nemacolin Mine Fire - March 26, 1971 & Memories of the Mine, the People by Lonnie Miller.
Sometimes, old places are right off a well traveled path without you even knowing it. This house is one of those cases. Acting on a tip from my neighbor, Jennifer Kerr Turco, we went and visited this old brick house in Stringtown, Pa. I have lived out this road for over 10 years and never knew of its existence less then 100 yards off the road. A quick call to the current property owner granted us admission to go on back.
From what we were told of this house, one of the oldest citizens of Carmichaels, Thomas Crago, had owned this property and was passed down over the years. We have no clear cut date on the houses construction, but we did find out when it was the McMinn property, the house was abandoned in approximately 1964 (according to our online resources). Almost 40 years of abandonment have not been kind to this house, and it's age is showing. The bricks that were made on locally are tumbling in in places, and the roof is falling and letting rain in and damaging the rest of the structure. Sections of hard wood floor are missing, exposing some of the largest floor joists I have ever seen. This place was built to last. Sadly,it has been left neglected and it seems beyond repair at this point.
As always, click on the pictures to enlarge!
This place was super cool to visit but it is in the process of "going back to nature", so to speak.It was somewhat scary walking through this house.As Chip said in the Video accompanying these pictures, "I feel scared in here, not like a monsters gonna get me but like this place just might fall down on us". Oh, that Chip!Yes, the rain was heavy that day and it wasn't the brightest of ideas to explore that day.If you are going to do something like this, take caution and get permission. Danielle and I went back today w/ junior explorer Remy.We got some more good photos.The quality pictures are Danielle's.
Some video from mine and Chips rainy visit into the house...
