The end of the Huber Breaker (Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton: 2013, hotel, to buy)

[Clark Park]

On YouTube I been watching videos of the demolition of the Huber Breaker in Ashley, just outside Wilkes Barre. It was a large impressive structure and building that processed anthricite coal that was at one time the most important industry in northeastern Pennsylvania.

This summer I made two trips to Wilkes Barre and took one last look at the breaker. On the first trip the old Sterling Hotel was still standing; but it was gone by my second trip.

It breaks my heart. I think relics of NEPA's important history and heritage are disappearing before our eyes.

Am I the only one who feels sad about this???

[talloolla]

No...both structures were present for all of my life. I wish we had preserved what we had..but I think at this point, Wilkes Barre and the surrounding areas are going to morph into a town without character. The shopping area near the mall brought in jobs and a great resource, but if you close your eyes...you could be anywhere in the U.S. There is nothing unique about it. Sadly, I think that is the future.

[SanyBelle]

Did you take pictures of the demo? If so, can you post any of them? Thanks!

[frank754]

I'm sad to see it go, too. Went there a few times and you can see some of my photos here:

Frank's Photography Site - Wilkes-Barre area abandoned rails - Spring 2013

The newest ones, though, are almost a year old.

[Clark Park]

Thanks, Frank for the great photos.

Is anyone aware if any other breakers or collieries still stand? If I'm not mistaken I think I saw one this past summer down in Mahanoy City or there about.

[thecoalman]

There is still newer but smaller ones in operation. In the Wyoming Valley Hudson Anthracite in Inkerman and Casey's Kassa's in Laflin are the only one operational that I'm aware. Hudson is actually a really large facility, it was originally built sometime in the 80's, I don't know the exact date. They put it there originally to process culm banks and then it was bought by Popple's to process new coal.

There is lot of activity in the Hazleton and Pottsville area and I know there is a few breakers similar to the Huber down there.

As far as the Huber goes that is really a shame but the costs to bring that up to anything that could have been a viable museum type facility would have been enormous let alone purchasing the property itself. It's unfortunate but just like the Sterling you can point the finger at the politicians.

[F.Jenco]

I'm sad to see it torn down. I remember going there with my dad in the 70s to buy coal.

[Robert Hildenbrand]

This is what happens when the local areas fall into poverty, and corruption allows men to buy property and never invest into it.

If I could make one law limiting government, it would be that no friends of elected officials could do business with the government.

A second would be that if you buy large areas or buildings and do nothin with them, within 3-5 years, you lose the land and aren't reimbursed.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by Robert Hildenbrand

If I could make one law limiting government, it would be that no friends of elected officials could do business with the government.

I don't think that would be practical or enforceable.

A second would be that if you buy large areas or buildings and do nothin with them, within 3-5 years, you lose the land and aren't reimbursed.

That's why you pay property taxes, that is the incentive to use it. Confiscation of private property should never be an option.

[Magritte25]

What is your proposal to stem the destruction of historical properties, coal man?