When the blizzard started moving into the Jersey Shore I decided to bug out to the Poconos - well clear of the storm. An excuse to go on another photography expedition. I found many winding roads like these in the mountains. With curves so tight you have to slow to 5 mph. Since it wasn’t snowing and I was driving during daylight it wasn’t too daunting. Except where blowing snow obscured the roadway. But careful driving was easy because it was relatively solitary on the roads so even crossing the double yellow line to avoid ice and snow wasn’t dangerous. Most of all it was a beautiful drive. And most of the time I had the roads to myself. The temperature was a steady 15 degrees - perhaps accounting for why I was the only one out there much of the time.
As I was driving I spotted signs directing me to Eckley’s Miners’ Village - now a state museum in Luzerne County. Once again, probably because of the cold, I was the only one there. The village is perched upon a mountain ridge and is billed as an authentic 19th century company mining town.
Eckley Village is nestled among the coal fields of northeastern Pennsylvania. The economy of the region was once centered around the coal industry.
Eckley Miners’ Village was founded in 1854 and has been continuously occupied for more than 150 years. It’s billed as the only historical site and museum dedicated to the daily lives of immigrant miners, their families and their descendants. There are more than 100 historic miner’s homes, owner’s mansions, churches, outhouses, cow sheds and goat barns.
Although an historical site run by the state, tenants live in some of the homes.
On the way to the miners’ village I went through the borough of Weatherly in Carbon County. The train station on the right. Part of the tiny business district on the left. The town has obviously seen better times.
Hard times or not, Weatherly - and the surrounding area - remains picturesque.
Just before losing light for the day I managed to squeeze in a drive through Hickory Run State Park. Once again I was fortunate to have the road to myself most of the time. The park is in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains.
I closed out the day with a great meal at the Powerhouse Eatery in White Haven. It’s not often that I post photos of the places I eat. But this is actually an historic location. It’s been a restaurant since 1989. But before that, it was a working powerhouse. Providing electricity to a large tuberculosis sanitarium - established at this location because, before vaccinations and antibiotics - cold, dry air was believed to have a therapeutic effect for TB patients. And White Haven provided such a climate. The White Haven Sanatorium was founded in 1907. But by 1976 the old sanatorium complex was abandoned. Much of the original powerhouse is preserved in the restaurant. If you look around as you dine you can see valves, boilers and fire doors. By the way, the food is tasty and the service exemplary.
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All photos copyright Gary Baumgarten
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