Blight in Northeastern Pennsylvania Photo Gallery by Dave Perez at pbase.com

Photo A Day {PAD) | Our Golden Retriever - Bella | Our Sarah | August Challenge - Transportation | Local Architecture | Life in NE Pennsylvania | Macros & Telephoto Closeups | Schuylkill County, PA Churches | Vic's 2009 Begonias | Northeastern Pennsylvania - The Four Seasons | Blight in Northeastern Pennsylvania | Odd Shots | Studies In Black & White | Tribute To Krazy Kat | HDR & Artsy Fun Shots | Schuylkill County Fire Companies | Family Photos | Vic's Garden | Local Area Fires | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55 Shots | Schuylkill County Cemeteries | Tom & Marianne's Fountain Springs PA Home | Fun With P/S Elements 6 | Fun With Photo Painting | Local Vintage Cars - Northeastern PA | Nature In The Backyard | September Challenge - Food | October Challenge - Scavenger Hunt | Linear Patterns | Demolition of St. George Lithuanian Catholic Church | Danny Merva Football Photos | soccer_field_flood | doors | windows

Blight in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Many abandoned structures in Northeastern Pennsylvania have become dangerous and/or infested hazards. Communities often lack the leadership and the will to deal with the problem.

This gallery is intended to draw attention to this unfortunate evolution. We welcome comments.

Burned Out In Lost Creek	Three Years Later - Still An Open Pit Hazard	Shenandoah, PA Shame	Downtown Burned Out Building - Shenandoah, PA
Left In Lost Creek.jpg	ABANDONED	Get Out Your Hammer - William Penn, PA	Obscene Scene - Raven Run, PA
Progress In Gilberton, PA	Duplex Disaster - Gilberton, PA	Another Half Abandoned Duplex - William Penn, PA	Ruined By Neglect - Lost Creek, PA
Half Abandoned - William Penn, PA	Abandoned Home - William Penn, PA	Garage - William Penn, PA	Left Behind in Lost Creek.jpg
Beyond A "Fixer-Upper" - William Penn, PA	An Abandoned Building in William Penn, PA	Left Behind - Lost Creek, PA	Can This Be Saved? - Lost Creek, PA
The Saint Nicholas Breaker - Shenandoah, PA	Left Empty - Wm Penn, PA	Abandoned in William Penn, PA	Another William Penn, PA Tragedy
Abandoned in Gordon, PA	Yes - Another William Penn, PA Abandoned Home	Left Empty - Lost Creek, PA	Another Home Bites The Dust
Abandoned and Alone in Lost Creek, PA	Deserted Repair Shop	Wreck & Run Mobile Home in William Penn, PA

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Cathy English		24-Aug-2018 18:22
I am the grand child of Kit and Joe McGraw of the new road .I am heartbroken over the condition of their home and the others that are abaonded.I am so proud to be from Lost Creek and spent many happy summer's there.I was conferemed at St Mary Magadalines,and have never been in a church that was as beautiful. .

Guest		24-Aug-2018 18:16
I am Catherine Klitsch English grand child of Kit and Joe Mc Graw (Mc Grath) daughter of Nan my heart is broken over the state of their home and others in Lost Creek.I am very proud of my roots and the people of Skuykill co .We are losing our culture and its a damn shame.

Patrick O'Neill		27-Oct-2016 17:56
This is so sad to see! I'm originally from Shenandoah, and have such fond memories of the town. SOME of these buildings I actually pass by on my way home from Hazlelton where I teach. It's a shame the town can't be given funding to tear down some of these properties. They're a blight on the town and reduce other people's property values as well.

Joan		10-Jan-2015 21:50
Annie - I have a photo of a painting of Colorado Patch done by my Aunt Tess. She was featured in a local newspaper displaying the painting about 15 years ago. You may be able to find the article by searching archives of local papers. Her name is Tessie Billie and at the time of the article she lived in Frackville. She is now deceased.

Patrick J. Connors CWO3 USN(RET)		14-Sep-2014 17:39
I grew up in Girardville in the 50's and 60's. My grandmother's wason high road, Lost Creek, my cousins lived on new road. I have pleasant memories of that patch. Dee's gas station, McGrath's bar, Carrie's hop, St Mary Magdeline Church (Where I was baptized), Store Patch etc. I saw it in 2011, what a shame.

Annie		08-Jun-2014 17:16
Anyone know of some old photos of Colorado Patch near Lost Creek? My father grew up there.

Guest		08-Jun-2014 17:14
Anyone know how I can locate old photos of Colorado Patch near Lost Creek. My father grew up there.

Guest		16-Apr-2014 14:37
Does anyone have any ideas about what Catholic church a resident of Raven Run might have attended in the early 19oo's? I'm trying to research my grandmother's heritage (her family name was Matz). She was a first generation Italian American, and moved into Hazleton around 1925, and there attended Most Precious Blood Church.

Guest		16-Apr-2014 02:20
Does anyone on here know of the old Pack No. 2 Colliery Slopes near Lost Creek? If so shoot me an email please sbake987@gmail.com

Robert J Kane		17-Mar-2014 00:27
Well done, urban decay always make me think of thoes who used to live in these places

Vincent Mack		05-Mar-2013 02:34
Mary Alice .. was this Jim Dixon you speak of who owned the apartment building? He was about 6'8" tall. If so he is a cousin to my Grandfather. I'm sure I met him as a child but I don't remember at the time. I did see him about 2 weeks before he passed away up at the nursing home in Shenandoah. He and his sisters had another home in the Haverford, Delaware County area outside Philly. They would come back to Lost Creek for the summers. Here's a shout out to Clare Heenan. I met you some time back when you came to visit my Aunt Irma in the Foot.

pat sweeney		28-Dec-2012 22:31
The church was so beautiful.I lived on the high road next to Caulfields.Happy memories of The Gassie and Mc Grath,s .Patsy

Claire Heenan Phillips		07-Jun-2012 13:33
A message for Paul Homa. You didn't leave your e-mail. I am Gumps Heena's sister. John, Gumps died in 1973 at 36 years old. pcgetty19@embarqmail.com Claire Heenan Phillips

Chris Mickey		03-May-2012 14:21
Well I am Chris Mickey and my house had to suffer two car accidents in a year of 2009 to 2010. It was a wonderful place at 532 Mt. Olive Bvld. John Catizone still has a great place to live in.

Tom Barrett		08-Aug-2011 12:26
This blight is because people abandoned the sites, not because of immigration. People don't want to pay taxes, fix up, tear down or what ever but our government can send money to a lot of foreign countries to fix but none of our troubled spots in the US of A. Maybe some Movie company can use the area for an explosive movie and blow them all up. Where's Stalone or Swartzinager when you need them?

Paulo Homa		08-Aug-2011 07:08
Paul Homa, I noticed the abandoned homes in Gilberton Pa. and was once in the US Navy with a fellow by the name of Gumps Heenan.Does any one know him? Would sure like to contact him. He lived in The Foot.

Bob Russo		06-Aug-2011 23:49
My sister and I were both born and attended school in Upper William Penn. My memories of the town are very bright and warm. A small town built by the coal companies where every family worked in the coal fields and all knew each other. It just distresses me to see what can become of a small community when its industrial base dissapears. I actually recognize many of the houses shown, which makes it even more distressing, and I haven't been there in 20 years. Thanks for sharing. My heart goes out to whomever still reside there. Bob Russo

Guest		03-Aug-2011 23:31
I've lived in lower william penn since 1955 and am saddened to have to watch what the patch has turned into.

rose		27-Jul-2011 08:23
my grandparents lived at 56 new road lost creek. They are both gone, as well as the house. Most of my happiest times were summers at their place,,,the pacoskys,,i remember the mccoys were across the road and the mcgraths next door,anyone having any news about the property email me topvat@aol.com. thanks

Ann Pettigrew		13-Feb-2011 05:20
A very poignant gallery of photos. Being from PA myself I can relate. Sad to see how we allow buildings to go into disrepair. There are buildings in France that are hundreds of years old and still standing but most of those are built of stone, not wood.

Bryanneah		21-Nov-2010 00:57
Mary Alice if you have stories you could tell me about where i now live that would be great my email is shopalopa.dingdong@yahoo.com thank you!!

Bryanneah		21-Nov-2010 00:51
To Mary Alic, I live in Lost Creek ive never heard about this gas station and apartment from a long time ago. I thought Lost Creek was to small to have stuff like that. I am 14 so i dont know about stuff from long ago i live in the Lost creek union church in lost creek id love to hear some of your stories.

Barbara Lebo Nolte		22-Jan-2010 15:27
So very, very sad! I lived in Wm.Penn, across the street from the ballfield and rail crossing. I enjoyed every minute growing up there and the great "BUM SOUP"that was made. Also we attending the Chtholic church. Thank you for sharing.

Grace M.		19-Jan-2010 17:54
Mary Alice, Please e-mail me at piano2@earthlink.net. I lived in Lost Creek 'til 1951 and remember that apartment building well. Did you visit the Malarkeys? I had completely forgotten about calling the gas station the "gassy". When my uncles visited from Philadelphia, they'd say "I'm going to the "gassy" for some "ciggies"... Some of the Reiley children were the same age as my sister and me.....I remember the church as being very clean and bright. There was a card party each month to support the church and it was always well-attended. I believe the church burned down several years ago and all Lost Creek catholics attend Mass at Annunciation parish in Shenandoah.

Mary Alice		28-Dec-2009 15:29
whatever happened to the Reilly family in Lost Creek? They had at least 10 children, one of whom was called "Buggsy". There was a gas station across the street from their house and everybody called it the "Gassy". There was also a very large apartment building across the street from their house. It was owned by a Mr Dixon. I used to visit a couple who lived on the second floor of that apartment when I was about 10 years old. All the houses were leaning back then, about 60 years ago. But there was that beautiful Catholic church, inside and out. It always amazed me how desolate the community looked but the church was so beautiful. I would love to take a ride up through that town someday.

Mary Bowles		06-Aug-2009 18:32
Yes, extremely sad. Such stories of families, happy days, tragedies these once-handsome homes could tell. More power to your elbow for shining a light on this blight.

Steve Mockford		22-Mar-2009 23:09
An excellent, albeit sad, documentary. You have captured these discarded sentinels very well.

Walter Otto Koenig		19-May-2008 21:33
Excellent documentation. here are some really interesting old buildings here. Well done. "V"

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