October 25, 2014 was cleanup day in Centralia Pennsylvania. Around 50 volunteers came together to remove trash and other debris from the nearly abandoned town.
The following photographs were captured by Ross Campbell and Austin LoCicero. Both are working with Joe Sapienza II to create a feature-length documentary about Centralia. This is due to be released in 2015.
Many thanks to Joe, Ross, and Austin for providing this wonderful gallery of images, as well as the many volunteers who came out to help cleanup Centralia!
Before the cleanup day, the area around Odd Fellows Cemetery had significant amounts of junk and trash.
Signs of trash from illegal dumping and littering could be found around the borough of Centralia PA before the cleanup began.
The cleanup effort focused on the significant amounts of trash dumped in Centralia Pennsylvania.
Volunteers at the Centralia PA Cleanup Day congregate outside of the borough municipal building.
A number groups came together to help with the cleanup day in Centralia. They were listed on this banner.
Volunteers cleanup trash along Trautwine Street in Centralia Pennsylvania.
Volunteers help to cleanup trash. This included plastic, tires, and mattresses.
Mostik Brothers trash hauling provided two large dumpsters for the cleanup effort.
Volunteers walk down Railroad Avenue in Centralia after cleaning up trash from the wooded areas nearby.
Bobby Hughes found a small sinkhole during the cleanup effort. Hot gases from the underground mine fire were coming out of the hole.
EPCAMR’s Bobby Hughes located several pieces of junk furniture needing to be disposed of.
Centralia PA’s fire chief, Tom Hynoski, was on hand to help with the cleanup effort.
Piles of trash were found on this hillside and throughout other parts of the town.
Volunteers scoured the borough for trash and collected it in garbage bags.
Nearly 200 old tires were found in the wooded areas around Centralia Pennsylvania.
Catizone’s Coal Region Cooking provided a free hot lunch to all of the volunteers who attended the cleanup event in Centralia.
An old waterline cap along Railroad Avenue marked the location of a former home.
Two volunteers hauling a junk couch found in the woods around Centralia PA.
Lys Sparrow and Joe Sapienza II pose for a photo at the cleanup day. Both are working on feature-length documentaries about Centralia Pennsylvania.
Members of the EPCAMR cleanup team loading trash into the back of a pickup truck.
Former Centralia Pennsylvania resident, John Comarnisky, visited the cleanup day and provided an interview.
Bobby Hughes, director of EPCAMR, helps load trash and other junk found during Centralia’s cleanup day.
After the cleanup effort, Trautwine Street was looking much better!
The area near Odd Fellows Cemetery was significantly improved after the cleanup day.
Nice to see people who care about their town.
Has anyone ever looked at putting a geothermal plant in Centralia to put that burning coal to work? If they can’t put it out, use it!
I wish you all well!
how do i get to see the intrerview with John Comarnisky ??
I would definitely travel from Ohio to help with the next clean-up! If there is a database, please let me know so that I may contact the person in charge. Thanks!
God bless John. His story reminds me of Tom Hanks’ character in the movie ‘Cast Away’. Memories are forever!.