Writing a book; need geographical information for Harrisburg and surrounding areas (Pittsburgh: home, school)

[wwhickok]

I have started working on a book, which currently includes settings from Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, & Palmyra so far, I am from the Williamsport, PA myself.

I was looking for some information on what Palmyra and even the suburbs of Harrisburg are like geographically and demographically. Information on other towns and cities in that general region are more than welcome of course; I will not be limiting the settings of my book to those two places, in fact I am open to receiving information about other areas that might make good settings for my book.

The basis of the book is a post-apocalyptic world of the zombie nature, I am just starting out really and I'm looking for areas that would make good settings for 'post-apocalyptic' strongholds as well as maybe 'overlooked areas for resources', etc.

Thank you in advance.

[Dequindre]

Centralia would be an interesting addition to a book like that.

[wwhickok]

Originally Posted by Dequindre

Centralia would be an interesting addition to a book like that.

Do you live theRe? Are you familiar with it? Could you tell me a bit about it?

[ki0eh]

Palmyra sits atop sinkhole-prone geology. I suppose one could weave this into a zombie narrative. PA Among Top At-Risk States for Sinkholes | The Allegheny Front

There are some odd rock formations in the State Game Lands south of there. PA*DCNR*-*Geology - Dinosaur Rock

Although this industrial site just west of Palmyra has now been cleared, it formerly employed many of its inhabitants. The Demolition of the Hershey Chocolate Factory: Dark Chocolate

Another sad but unique incident arising from flooding five years ago: One bison drowns at Hershey zoo, another euthanized

The PA State Police Academy is just north of Hershey and Palmyra. Further north is Fort Indiantown Gap, the PA National Guard training center.

Several abandoned and fenced off limestone quarries (and some active ones) can be spotted on Google Earth, look along the US 322 (Harrisburg to Hershey) to US 422 (Hershey through Palmyra and east) corridor a couple of miles either side.

Much of the former Derry Township school campus (centered around 30 E Granada Ave., Hershey PA 17033) is unused, although part of it is district administration and the gym is rented to a private health club.

[Dequindre]

Originally Posted by wwhickok

Do you live theRe? Are you familiar with it? Could you tell me a bit about it?

Centralia is a ghost town that has a smoldering coal vein running underneath it. Here's a bit of information about it:

History of Centralia PA Before 1962

[Sicilee]

Just saw this re Centralia...

Ex-Centralia residents to celebrate birth of dying town | PennLive.com

[wwhickok]

This information is excellent. Actually tried using Google Earth to see some of the landscape and was wondering what some of it, including the quarries was. Thanks for the responses.

[Sicilee]

More...

Centralia coal fire started 52 years ago | Home - Home

[Sicilee]

I have some old snapshots somewhere, showing pipes in the ground and smoke coming up from them. Circa 1980 or thereabouts. If I find them I'll try to post. Can't promise.

[wwhickok]

If you can find them that would be pretty wicked.