Something really special happened in Centralia PA on Saturday, October 25, 2014. On this bright autumn day, a group of eager volunteers came together to help cleanup what remains of the town.
The Centralia Cleanup Day was organized and led by the duo of Joe Sapienza II and Bobby Hughes. The idea for it started last April when Sapienza was shooting footage for his documentary, Centralia: America’s Lost Town, in and around the borough. He and his crew noticed large quantities of trash and other debris that had been illegally dumped there. They wanted to do something to help.
Trash at Centralia PA Cleanup Day. Credit: EPCAMR
Sapienza got in contact with Bobby Hughes of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR).EPCAMR’s stated mission is to revitalize lands and waterways impacted by mining and mine drainage. The organization is especially important in areas like Centralia Pennsylvania, which have been heavily impacted by the mining industry.
Together, Sapienza and Hughes they put into motion an effort to organize the supplies and people necessary to cleanup the town. They even initiated an Indiegogo fundraising campaign to raise $600 towards the project.
Filmmaker Joe Sapienza II at Centralia PA cleanup day. Credit: EPCAMR
On the day of the cleanup between 50 to 60 volunteers, including a group from Wilkes University, met at the Centralia Municipal Building. Tools, dumpsters, food, and drinks we main available to the crews.
Together teams of volunteers focused primarily on two areas of the borough: Railroad Avenue and Odd Fellows Cemetery. Odd Fellows Cemetery is actually near the spot where the Centralia PA mine fire began in 1962.
Almost immediately the volunteers began hauling trash and other debris from the forested areas around Centralia Pennsylvania. Eventually both two ton dumpsters, donated by Mostik Brothers Disposal, were overflowing and nearly 200 junk tires had been piled up!
EPCAMR’s Bobby Hughes at the Centralia Cleanup Day. Credit: EPCAMR
The day, however, wasn’t just above the cleanup. Joe Sapienza II was hard at work shooting additional footage for an expanded version of his documentary. His goal is to the turn the original 17 minute piece, into a feature length film about Centralia, its residents, and the infamous mine fire.
His footage from the day included an interview with one of Centralia PA’s last residents, John Comarnisky. He no longer lives in town. Comarnisky stood in front of where his home once stood and told his story to Sapienza.
The Centralia journalist and author, David DeKok, also made an appearance. He led tours through the remains of the town during the day, describing the history of the mine fire and the residents who used to call Centralia home.
Catizone’s Coal Country Kitchen served a free, hot lunch to the entire cleanup crew. Given all the hard work, that helped to keep spirits high. Additionally, Tom Hynoski, the Centralia Borough Fire Chief, opened up the Municipal Building and assisted trash removal with a heavy excavator.
Tires on East Railroad Avenue in Centralia PA. Credit: EPCAMR
By the end of the day, the two areas that had been the focus of the cleanup effort were looking significantly better. EPCAMR plans to return to Centralia PA within the next few weeks to put up “No Dumping” signs to discourage further littering in the area.
Given the day’s success and the remaining trash to be removed from the town, another Centralia Cleanup is already being planned for 2015.
I am sorry I did not know about this cleanup day in Centralia. I would have loved to volunteer my time to help out. I have been interested in Centralia since I first disobeyed the signs and drove up the abandoned portion of Rte 61 in 1989 or 1990. When I got to Centralia I was shocked by what I saw. I went through a couple of times after.It was in late 2008 I started reading books on Centralia and visited right after Christmas and shot photos of what little remained in town. I did not get back to shoot more pictures until Feb. 2010 after two more homes were destroyed. I also shot photos that spring and noticed how people dumped trash all over. I can’t believe the disrespect people have. I have always respected the town and treated it like hallowed ground. It was where generations grew up. Just because they are gone doesn’t mean the memories have died. People need to realize that Centralia is NOT Silent Hill. That was a fictional place. Centralia is REAL, especially for those few citizens still remaining.Show some respect and grow up. I won’t even begin to talk about the obscenities spray painted on the former Rte 61. That is as disgusting as physical trash.
Hi Ed. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. And, you are so right. Centralia is a real and needs more people to care about the people who lived there and what remains of it today. Many of us believe it is worth preserving and remembering. There’s a lot to be learned from the town’s story.
There’s going to be another cleanup day in 2015. Follow us on Facebook and we’ll be sure to post about it when it is announced.
I hope I can make it up for the 2015 cleanup.I hope to get up there this coming week to shoot some more photos,particularly areas I haven’t done before. I just ordered two more books on Centralia from Amazon.
Ed, send me your e-mail and I will keep you in the loop on the Spring 2015 Cleanup when EPCAMR plans to come back and finish what we started along the hillside slope below Park Street and along E. Railroad Street where there is plenty left to clean up. We filled two 40 cubic yard dumpsters within just a few short hours and since then I’ve secured additional funds for two more dumpsters should we need them in the Spring and there is no doubt in my mind that we will. Check us out as well on Facebook. This website supported our efforts for the first cleanup and I’m sure will be helping to promote our second effort in the Spring of 2015 and we’re looking forward to it!
I was so glad to read this as my family is from Centralia. I remember being a kid and going outside to the back yard and picking up coal.
My Grandmother and Grandfather lived next door to each other on Railroad avenue. I loved to hear their stories. My Aunt still lives in Mount Carmel and whenever we visit her I have to pass through Centralia
Hi Colleen. Those are such wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing them 🙂
The second cleanup is scheduled for May 16th, 2015 from 9-3pm. We’ll meet at the Municipal Building in town and walk a few blocks across the street down E. Railroad and up to a heavily wooded area that is below Laurel Street that we will be focusing our efforts on this year. See the post below for details.
https://www.facebook.com/events/648926751904930/