Monday, August 5, 2013

Dilemma

I've always had mixed feelings about the Huber Breaker in Ashley.

I'm all for preserving history, when feasible.  However, the Huber represents a bad part of our history.  Coal mining companies raped and scarred the earth.  Workers were horribly mistreated.

I've often thought about the visitors and those passing through on Interstate 81, and the impression left by the hulking, rusting structure.  Do they marvel at what we once did?  Do they think they're in a backward, impoverished mine town?

On the other hand, anthracite is what put this area on the map.  We should remember the hard work of those who toiled in the mines and at places like the Huber.

It's time to face reality.  There will never be enough money to restore the Huber Breaker.  Not now.  Not ever.
They're working on a park and a memorial on the site, something, obviously, that will help us remember the Huber and the mines once the breaker is gone.  It seems appropriate, and a worthy project.
The memorial/park project has a long way to go.  At least, there's been a start and a lot of people are behind the project.  It will be an asset to the area.