Philadelphia Retail with PlazaACME

Hey folks! Welcome back to Journey up the Schuylkill: Part 4! Today, we're going to be taking a look at two of northern Pennsylvania's most famous abandoned landmarks. First up we've got what's probably the unluckiest town in the world, followed by the kind of shopping center that us retail geeks dream of. Centralia, PA This town, which currently has an estimated population of 5, was once one of the many coal mining towns in the area. While many towns have experienced a population decline as the industry went away, none have been nearly as dramatic as Centralia's. You can blame that on the fact that the land the town sits on has been burning continuously since 1962. There's some debate as to how it started, but the commonly accepted theory is that when they burned the town landfill to clean it out, it ignited a massive coal seam that went under the entire town. It burned slowly but steadily, causing sinkholes and releasing gases. Somehow, it took until 1979

Part 3 of our trip brings us to the late Schuylkill Mall. Unless you've spent some time in Eastern Pennsylvania, you've probably got no clue how to pronounce that name so let's clear it up now- it's "Skookle." The mall got some thorough coverage by a number of photo/videographers when its closing was announced in 2017, but it's the kind of place you have to see in person to have a full appreciation for.  Schuylkill Mall first opened in 1980, clocking in at 800,000 square feet and anchored by Sears, Kmart, and Hess's. Crown American was the developer. It was expanded twice- Pomeroy's added a store on in 1983 and Phar-Mor in 1991. Pomeroy's was sold to Bon-Ton not long after they opened, and as a result Bon-Ton closed the mall's Hess's when they bought the chain. Hess's then became an outlet store, and later Steve & Barry's. Phar-Mor closed with the chain in 2002, and became Crown American's house brand Black Diamond A