Anthracite coal from Eastern Pennsylvania fueled the steel mills in the Western part of the state, and the American industrial revolution after the Civil War. These photographs are from a larger project that looks at the urban landscapes that were built around and thanks to coal mining in PA. These are some of natures memories and scars from 100+ years of coal mining.
Large piles of low grade coal, rocks, and shale form manmade mountains, that look to me like they could just as well be from another planet, called culm heaps or slag piles. Some of them have smoldering fires under them and sink holes are a constant threat. The ones that don’t are often used by ATV daredevil riders for recreation. Over time, nature will reclaim these places. For some reason white birch trees are usually the first vegetation to take hold. Photographically I have always been interested in things that are piled up high, whether it be rocks, coal, sand, etc. The shape, form, space, textures, randomness, same but different concept, is pleasing to me. Most locals feel these areas are eyesores and some have been reclaimed and turned into office parks and distribution centers.