Giving New Meaning To “Scranton Lace”

Anyone who explores abandoned buildings eventually runs into evidence that suggests a whole lot of sex goes on within those dark, sticky and usually moist spaces. Like a passionate affair, ruins are exciting!  Standing in one makes your heart beat faster and the world outside fades from your consciousness as time stands still, and you’re thrust into another world.

Presently, many of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s abandonments are understandably being utilized as backdrops for music videos by local bands such as Astorian Stigmata, and fashion photo shoots by bloggers like Riss Vandal of Fashion Vandals.  And now, thanks to Sullivan’s Pin-Up Photography, the Scranton Lace Factory has a whole new visual image to ponder and appreciate!

Scranton Lace, a factory basically abandoned by the owner in 2002, when workers were informed that it was closing “effective immediately”, first became a popular site among people who engage in Urban Exploration photography, and photojournalists covering our nation’s age of industrial decline.  Now, with the facility currently under renovation in order to bring it back to life, photographer Bonnie Sullivan was able to secure the location in order to conduct one of her specialty Pin-Up Model photo shoots.

Knowing how much I loved photographing Scranton Lace, since I’d been there several times before, Bonnie graciously asked me to stop by during the event, where I was able to convince two of her models to give my readers an inside look at becoming a Pin-Up model for the day.  And after watching this process in action, I truly believe that every woman should do it at least once, just to be able to say they’ve done it.  Apparently, transforming yourself into a Pin-Up is one of those pivotal, life-changing experiences, in terms of confidence building! And in this hyper-connected, social media world, who doesn’t want to feel more confident while having their picture taken?!

Jennifer Walsh-Crosland was the first model to arrive. “This is fucking awesome”, were the initial words out of her saucy red painted lips as she strutted into Scranton Lace’s now infamous bowling alley, with her ruby “ribbon candy” pumps and Bettie Page store shopping bag.  Jennifer, who has done this type of thing before, was excited to finally see the interior of the Scranton Lace Factory.  It had been one of her ambitions for quite a while.  She said, “I was excited because the building and the company have such a historical influence on the culture of this city. It’s been around since the 1890’s, employed many of our area residents throughout the years, and holds so much energy.”

And as an added bonus for her spouse, who escorted her to the shoot, Mr. Crosland was also able to get a private behind-the- scenes look at that history all for himself.  “He enjoyed being able to walk around the building while I was doing the shoot. He got some really great pictures from a place that we would have otherwise never had the opportunity to be inside”, Jennifer shared.

The next model to show up was Nikki Falcone, which seems like a name ready-made for an alluring Pin-Up bombshell.  This was her first experience, so her entrance was a little more subdued as she took in the entire scene, which could be a little intimidating for a first-timer.  But as Nikki watched Jennifer in action, under Bonnie Sullivan’s expert direction, she seemed to become more at ease.  It was clear that Bonnie, with the support of her husband Joe Sullivan, was running this show.  “Walk with a little swagger”, she instructed Jennifer, as she stood, in those spectacular red heels, in the middle of a post-apocalyptical looking bowling lane, with two weathered bowling pins grasped in her hands.  “Don’t hold them evenly”, she directed, “hold one pin by the neck and the other down further.”

At one point, while adjusting Jennifer’s dress by hiking it further up her thigh, Bonnie told Jennifer, “Yes, you ARE that kind of girl! Go with it!”, as she snapped her camera shutter closed several times in quick succession.  “Act like you own it”, she instructed Jennifer, “Lift ‘the girls’ (Pin-Up speak for boobs) and cinch the waste!”

Jennifer

When asked about the onslaught of posing instructions, Jennifer responded “The direction that she gives is what makes it so awesome! I mean, I’m just a normal chick; I’m goofy and uncoordinated, but with Bonnie & Joe behind the camera, all of that goes away. They just have a way that makes you feel so comfortable and so confident!”

I asked Jennifer if, after working with professional photographers, she had one posing tip that she would share with others to make their own pictures better. Her response was, “If it feels weird in the moment, more than likely, that’s going to be the best pose of the day!”

The next model to step into the spotlight was Nikki Falcone, who was doing the photo shoot as a gift for her husband, who is into all things retro, as a gift for their anniversary.  “He’s been looking up a lot of (Pin-Up) pictures”, she explained, “So rather than be jealous of those models, I thought maybe I could do just as well.” And do it, Nikki did!

“If you feel comfortable, your photos will look awkward.  So be uncomfortable”, instructed Bonnie from behind the lens, as she led Nikki through some shots on top of the roof of the massive industrial complex.  “Do you want to pretend like you are climbing the ladder in your heels?” Bonnie asked Nikki before telling her to climb up one or two rungs.  “Get your “girls” to the right (those boobies again)”, she shouted to Nikki before taking the picture.

During my time watching Bonnie in action, I couldn’t help but notice how often she mentioned “the girls” to her models.  So I had to ask her how important boobs are when creating a compelling Pin-Up image.  “The Pin-Up is all about cleavage, leg and facial expression”, Bonnie explained, “If you look at all the classic pin-ups of Vargas or Elgrin, they have elongated legs and/or lots of cleavage that go along with their curvy, and never waif-like, bodies. After all, pin-ups were used as a distraction back in the day, and if you’re going to distract the boys from their troubles of war, legs, cleavage and curves were just the thing to do it, no?”

Nikki

If the purpose of the Pin-Up girls of the past was to provide a distraction from the horrors of war, I wondered if the resurging interest in Pin-Ups is a reflection of something about the times we live in now.

Bonnie offered her opinion, “Perhaps…and that just may be a large part of it. But I also think that a lot of women just want some “me time” for a minute. Women from all walks of life, have just become so busy these days. We get up in the morning and stand in front of the mirror, tossing our hair up in a knot, or quickly getting ourselves presentable for our work day. We don’t take time to primp and pamper ourselves these days like they did “back in the day”, because we don’t have the time with our busy work schedules, balancing the kid’s schedules, working, husbands, etc.  And I think some of the women who come to us for sessions just want to feel that “old school glamour” again, who want some “me time” and have photos to create the memory.  Because once they leave our session—BAM–they’re thrown back into their horrendous schedules and busy lives. So in a sense, this could be a “distraction” of another kind, not from war, but a distraction from our rushed lifestyles.”

“We’ve also become bombarded with sexual images in our daily lives — some tasteful and some not so tasteful”, Bonnie continued, “The Pin-Up image takes that notion and throws it back to “old school” when sexual images were fun, flirty and only hinting at “naughtiness”.  It takes you back to a time when society was more turned on by the curves of the female body underneath clothing than full on, in your face nudity.  That’s not to say we have anything against tasteful nude images.  We don’t!     Nude doesn’t equal pornography, though.  There’s a definite difference.  I think these are just a few of the reasons for the resurgence.”

I asked Bonnie what motivated her to start taking Pin-Up style photos in the first place.  “I’ve always enjoyed the Pin-Up image”, she replied, “A friend asked me to do a photo shoot of her for a “Pin-Up calendar” she wanted to give as a Christmas gift to her boyfriend. She emailed me and said it’s something she wanted to do, and just never felt like she knew a photographer who would pull off what she was looking for. She was familiar with my style of photography and had seen some of the work that I’ve done in the past. So, I agreed, and it was one of the most fun days I’ve ever had — that we both had, really! I loved editing her photos and seeing such beautiful images that I helped to create.   That’s when I turned to Joe — knowing this was something we just had to work on together out of our mutual love, not just for the classic Pin-Ups, but photography as well. I remember telling Joe that if I truly believe everything happens for a reason, then, that day was no accident and was meant to set us on a path of the business we have today.”

I wanted to know what motivated women to want to be photographed in this way.  “Several reasons”, Bonnie explained, “Some do it as a gift for their significant other. Some do it because they need a “pick me up” after a devastating event such as divorce–or in some cases, maybe that’s more of a celebration and not so much a “pick me up”! Ha-ha! Others do it to celebrate a weight loss or some other turning point in their life. Some want to take a minute out of their busy schedule and feel beautiful and glamorous. And then, others do it just because they love the art of Pin-Up photography and want to emulate their favorite Pin-Up models.  It really is a personal thing; we find that the reasons are varied.”

I wondered what motivate these particular models to want to do this. Nikki said that the idea came to her after seeing the result of a photo shoot that one of her friends did with Bonnie & Joe at a candy shop. Jennifer was also motivated to participate by a friend, who happened to share a post from Sullivan’s on Facebook.  “They were offering a photo shoot package at a great price, with a donation for Toys for Tots”, she said, “I thought it was a great way to be able to get a special Christmas gift for my husband and do a good deed at the same time.”

“I will be really honest”, Jennifer explained, “The first shoot I did, I was REALLY nervous, but after it was all said and done I LOVED IT!! Everything about it, going out and finding the perfect outfit to match the theme I wanted to go with, finding the right pair of shoes that were really going to POP in the shoot. Having hair & make up done–the pampering was one of my guilty pleasures.”

For this photo shoot, Jennifer opted to make a special trip to Philadelphia in order to find the perfect dress.  “It was AWESOME!”, Jennifer exclaimed, I made a trip to the iconic Bettie Page store because even though I had a ton of places I could order a dress from, I wanted to go to a place where I could try on several dresses, to make sure I got the perfect one, not only did I look great, but I felt very comfortable.”

Nikki said that she fell in love with her dress at pinupgirlclothing.com.  Bonnie says that clients can always check with her to see if she has any Pin-Up inspired clothing on-hand that appeals to them.  “We’re still building our wardrobe”, she explained, but we have several dresses ranging in size from 4 to 18. If we don’t have their size yet, then we can definitely direct them to a few places where  great finds can be had.”

Bonnie encourages clients to consult with her prior to their scheduled shoot because she can help them with all aspects of preparation in order to create the perfect Pin-Up look. “We offer hair and makeup as a complimentary service, EXCEPT for venue shoots where there are multiple shoots, and it’s just not possible time-wise.  Shiloh Salon & Day Spa in Olyphant actually work with us and give all our clients a 20% discount when they go there to have their hair/make up done right before a shoot.  They are a fabulous team and a Pin-Up inspired salon with images of Audrey Hepburn, Bettie Page and Marilyn Monroe adorning the walls.  If a client just doesn’t have the funds for getting their hair/make up professionally done, YouTube is a great tool for vintage/retro/pin-up hairstyles!”, she told me.

Of course models can also take charge of creating the look they want all for themselves, as Nikki did, “Stephanie Rozelle from Head to Toe Salon did my hair and makeup, she is a friend I’ve known since high school.”

Jennifer

The definition of a Pin-Up Girl is basically any model whose image garners wide appeal.  I wanted to know if, as a photographer, Bonnie thought that every woman has an inner Pin-Up Girl waiting to be unleashed.

She responded, “I think so. Some of the best sessions we’ve had were of self-proclaimed “tomboys” who wanted to embrace their feminine side for a day. You don’t have to be a “girlie girl” to want to feel beautiful as a Pin-Up for a day. Pin-Up is a genre that crosses a wide range of backgrounds and social statuses. We’ve worked with ladies who have their doctorate degree in education, to hairstylists, to the fast food employee, and the stay at home mom.  Ladies everywhere, no matter who and what title they hold, want to be a beautiful Pin-Up to some degree for one day! It’s fun! It’s something out of the daily grind! And it’s something you walk away with a memory of , as well as prints to hang on your wall or share with your significant other!”

Jennifer added, “There are a lot of women that secretly have a little Pin-Up vixen inside them.”  While Nikki said,  “Absolutely!  Every woman has their own style and appeal and some just need to find it and share it.”

I wanted to know if these ladies had any advice for women who secretly wanted to do this but didn’t think they had enough confidence to actually pull it off.

Jennifer responded, ” If you’ve ever wanted to go outside of your norm, break out of the box, yet do it in a really classy way–DO THIS!! I’m the first to tell you, I may have a big personality, but I’m really, really shy –I’m my own contradiction—but this experience took me WAY out of my comfort zone, and I’m glad that I did it. It brought me out of my proverbial shell – not just by having the pictures taken, but then again, when Bonnie & Joe share them on their Facebook page. It’s out there, for all to see – take it or leave it, like or not – it’s me.”

Nikki said that anyone can do it, with the right attitude.  “Own your pictures,” she said, “ The confidence definitely shines through and the more you think “I’m awesome, I’m beautiful, I can do this” the better the photos seem to be.”

Bonnie Photographing Nikki

Bonnie’s picture of Nikki

Bonnie explained, “I think we all feel like that to a degree, no?  But I would tell her that no one ever goes in front of a camera without feeling nervous.  Every woman is her own worst critic. A Pin-Up session is often a great way to empower yourself and embrace your body and all of its imperfections.  Pin-Up isn’t about being the perfect weight, the perfect height, the right size nose, or any of that.    You never have to feel as though you “measure up” in the Pin-Up genre! It’s the one genre that accepts and actually appreciates the curvier body over the less curvy frames.”

I wondered if the models learned anything about themselves by participating in this experience.  Nikki responded, “That most of my insecurities are in my head. And the pictures allow me to see what my husband sees in me all along.”  While Jennifer explained, “I’ve solidified that fact that when I want something bad enough, I make it happen, which makes me realize that I am stronger than I think I am.”

And of course we had to discuss the challenges of doing a photo shoot with models at a venue like Scranton Lace.  The first time I had the opportunity to take photos at this location; I was there with people dressed more like doomsday preppers, in army fatigues and steel toe boots, which is a far cry from pretty dresses and designer pumps!

Nikki said that walking around the debris in heels was the biggest problem for her, “My normal day shoes are DC Skater shoes, so heels can be a challenge on normal ground. The roof was interesting too since my heels sunk right in.”

According to Bonnie, “The debris is a challenge sometimes; you obviously want your clients to be safe as they walk around in their heels.  Not having electricity for our lighting can also be challenging.  You want the shots to be bright, crisp and well lit for the client.”

I asked Bonnie why she chose the Scranton Lace Factory as a location in the first place.  “I’m a fan of abandoned buildings because of the “beauty of decay” that I find appealing –which is why I like to put Pin-Ups in such places ,the contrast of the beauty vs. decay of something once beautiful”, she said, “Scranton Lace has some fantastic architecture and amenities  like the bowling alley  that just worked so well with the Pin-Up theme whether it be the classic retro Pin-Up or even the lingerie session we did there.”

Nikki thought the setting was a perfect place for a Pin-Up shoot, “The clash of beauty against the beast I guess you can call it. Here’s someone put together so well, against a backdrop of urban decay, something that’s falling apart, and it just makes her stand out that much more. It’s very visually stimulating.”

And Jennifer added, “What was appealing to me was the fact that here I was, all done up and looking HOT – standing in a beautiful ruin. I feel it’s the perfect combination of the two.”

Obviously, Scranton Lace is important historically. And unfortunately, we live in a time when many historic buildings exist as “zombie buildings”–a real world term that is being used to describe buildings that are not usable for their intended purpose because they are in need of repair, and are owned by entities that cannot afford to do so.  I wanted to know if Bonnie thought  that allowing photographers to use these locations for photo shoots could be beneficial in any way for the building owners in terms of generating renewed interest in gaining public support to try to save these buildings.

“Absolutely!”, she enthusiastically responded, “The general public often times only sees these buildings/structures from the outside and has NO idea of how absolutely gorgeous and stunning some of these buildings are on the inside! And by allowing photographers inside to hold shoots, once the public sees some of these photos — suddenly that building is no longer just the “brick building down the street”, instead they see the building in a whole new light.”

Jennifer said, ”These buildings may be skeletons of their former selves but they still hold so much beauty and that beauty deserves some recognition. I couldn’t wait to get inside to feel it. On my way out, I stood in a huge empty room, which I could only assume held looms at one point… it was so quiet, all I could hear was myself breathing , but the energy I felt was electrifying! That’s what I was looking forward to – that feeling – it’s hard to describe, unless you’ve felt it for yourself , but for that few minutes, I could close my eyes and feel the building.”

Scranton Lace Loom Room April 2011

Scranton Lace Loom Room September 2011

I asked Bonnie to describe the Pin-Up Model experience for someone who has never done it before. “It is empowering”, she said, “ and addictive if I were to judge by how many repeat clients we have, and how they tell us their experience with us is like getting a tattoo.  Once you have one, you want more!    None of our clients are “professional” Pin-Up models, at least not to date.  Every one of them that does this for the first time, initially they’re nervous, and by the end of it, they’re beaming with excitement, confidence, thanking us and telling us how much fun they had and can’t wait to do it again. I think it goes beyond the “fun” aspect. I think they feel empowered and that’s what is addictive. The empowerment of embracing their bodies in a way that perhaps they never thought they could or ever would.”

I asked how a client should prepare themselves mentally before their photo shoot.  “Empower yourself by practicing some classic Pin-Up poses and/or facial expressions in the mirror. It’ll give you a chance to see how you look, what poses you find flattering to yourself, and it’ll put some control into your lap at your session”, Bonnie responded,” We always tell our clients that you really need to exaggerate everything for Pin-Up–if you feel foolish when posing the way we direct you to, or with a particular facial expression, then you’re doing it right and your photo will be perfect! And a glass of wine before your session doesn’t hurt either….. but ONE glass, not ONE bottle. Drunk isn’t beautiful, Ha-ha!  And expect LOTS OF FUN!  Joe and I are very laid back and like to have fun as well as make it fun for our clients!  Joe and I shoot at the same time, from different angles, maximizing photo options/angles for the client.  I usually do all the directing, so it’s not confusing for the client —- and while I’m directing, Joe is usually keeping an eye out for flaws in the shot like a clothing tag sticking out, a hem problem in a dress or whatever the case may be.  But Joe and I like to have fun and crack jokes.  There’ve been times when models have had a hard time making their “Pin-Up expression” because they’re laughing so hard at our nonsensical banter.”

I noticed that the models seemed to become more confident as their photo shoot progressed.  Bonnie told me that my assessment was 100% accurate. “I think the atmosphere that Joe and I try to create during the shoot helps our clients to loosen up and ease their concerns about their flaws”, she explained, “We’ll ask ahead of time if there is anything about their bodies they just hate –face it, we all have those issues!– and even what parts they love about themselves!  We’ll try to down-play that imperfection during their session.  I think our clients see that as we start shooting, and it helps to boost their confidence knowing that we are going to be sure we photograph their best and down-play what they’re not fond of.  We try to keep the atmosphere light and help ease their anxiety. We crack jokes; we try to involve them in the outcome of their experience by asking if there’s any particular shot/pose they want to try.    And even if they have shot with us before, I think the anticipation of having their shoot, sometimes planned months in advance, has them amped up and rocking their nerves, and once they begin the shoot they’re like “Oh yeah, I forgot how easy this groove is!”

I asked what Bonnie thought her husband added, as the male perspective, to the creation of the Pin-Up image.  She explained, “Face it, a man will see a woman in a completely different light and with a completely different appreciation than another  female does — it’s in our wiring, photographer or not. There are times when Joe will suggest something or add a little “tweak” to the shot or pose….. But just the same, it’s that suggestion/tweak that takes it from sexy to “WHOA!!” Joe appreciates the art in the female form and he uses that appreciation to help create some stunning images in our business!  I know there are Pin-Up photographers out there who tout themselves as an “all female team” and that’s great –  there are women who may not be comfortable with a male photographer. But, we’ve been told by a few of our clients they appreciate the “male eye”, particularly for boudoir sessions when the client is giving the gift to the man in her life.”

Boudoir Model at Scranton Lace

I wanted to know if a man should ever consider purchasing a Pin-Up photo session as a gift for the woman in his life.  Bonnie thinks it would make a great present because “what a fantastic compliment it would be for your significant other to say “Hey honey, I bought you a Pin-Up photography session!”     Wouldn’t that say that he/she already thinks you’re an amazing, sexy being and wants to see it brought to life in Pin-Up form??”

You can find more pictures from the Scranton Lace Pin-Up photo shoot on the Sullivan Pin-Up Photography Facebook Page and contact information, as well as other photos, on their website.

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A Visual Autopsy of the American Dream

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Guerrilla Historian Table of Contents

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The Lehigh Valley Picnic Grounds were opened in the late 1800s, at Harvey’s Lake, and they later morphed into a full blown amusement park know as Hanson’s.

A rollercoaster skeleton remnant at Hanson’s Abandoned Amusement Park

When Croop’s Glen first opened on Route 11 near Nanticoke, its main attraction was the waterfall and picnic area.

Abandoned Picnic Grove Tables at Croop’s Glen

Angela Park , in Mountain Top,  was first used by the land owners as a site for picnics and family gatherings.

Abandoned Pool Area Control Room at Angela Park

Even the amusement park with the longest run of any of the parks in the region, Rocky Glen, first opened as a picnic facility.

One picnic grove that I was familiar with as a child was the one perched above St Mary’s Cemetery in Plymouth, Pennsylvania.  I don’t recall ever attending an actual event at the picnic grove, but I do remember going there when I was little to pick pinecones and to ride the swings.  I went back there recently, out of curiosity, and found that those swings were long gone…..

The Abandoned Picnic Grove Of The Soul

People would follow the stone staircase….

……..near the stone alter

…..up to the picnic area

The swings are long gone…and the frame has rusted apart

Abandoned Outhouse

St Mary’s Cemetery Angels

Back To Guerrilla Historian TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Angel Prints Available on RedBubble in “SHE TALKS TO ANGELS“

Photo Credit:  57NOPhotography

Rooftop Anime Glam @

Fashion Vandals

It’s been said that “nothing has the power to tell the truth about an age quite like fashion”.  That statement has never been more accurate than it is today, in the era of the fashion blogger.   Just as blogging has been challenging the control of public information as wielded by big, corporate owned newspapers and broadcasting networks, independent fashion bloggers have been usurping the influence of traditional high fashion magazines.  That’s not to say that a “Devil Wears Prada” Miranda Priestly-type magazine editor still can’t declare an entire line a catastrophe by simply pursing her lips, but as she’s seated in the front row line-up at Fashion Week, amongst the fashion bloggers and their laptops, her point of view is no longer necessarily the first to reach the fashion-hungry masses or the throngs of chic-hunter consumers.  

Photo Credit:Carlos Phillips Images

Endless Autumn @

Fashion Vandals

Just as Big Media has been losing journalists for years when they run out of formats and room for their ideas, a new breed of fashion reporter is turning to the internet to bring a different kind of fashion news coverage to their audience.    Marissa Phillips, aka Riss Vandal, is the lady who runs the show at Fashion Vandals.com.    When asked to explain the role of a fashion blogger to the uninitiated, Vandal explains, “It’s a blogger who focuses on some aspect of fashion or style–whether through tutorials, trend-reporting, outfit posts, interviews and features, or even people with lifestyle blogs that happen to have notable personal style end up being considered fashion bloggers. It can take a lot of forms. The main idea behind Fashion Vandals is to highlight designers, models, and brands that are making bold statements and taking chances, and to celebrate styles that lie outside the mainstream.” 

Robert Smith and Siouxsie Sioux Had a Visual Kei Baby @

Fashion Vandals

While designers taking risks is hardly anything new, the cultural/historical trends and artistic expressions of any era always help to influence the fashion risk-takers of that current age.  During the height of World War II, for example, Paris fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli famously collaborated with well-known artists of the Surrealist movement, such as Salvador Dali, to transform something as ordinary and mundane as clothing, into strangely beautiful and contradictory works of art.  Her designs were considered outrageous and outright shocking.  But the women who dared to wear Schiaparelli’s designs morphed from mere mortals into surreal apparitions.  For the first time in history, life was literally imitating art!  Even today, Riss Vandal definitely agrees with that sentiment, “If you’re someone that dutifully follows trends, or simply dresses for comfort or to suit a certain situation, I guess fashion can be seen as a hobby or simply something utilitarian. But for those who use fashion for expressive or transformative means, I don’t think fashion is similar to art, I think fashion IS art.”

I asked Vandal what she thought about popular culture’s current obsession with death, which may not be completely surprising, given that we’ve lived through more than one apocalypse last year!  Since even romance is reflected via the undead in the youth of today, I wondered aloud if it is in some way, a metaphor about modern life.  Riss responded,” I feel like I can really only answer this in terms of my own experience…and when I was younger I was first drawn, I wouldn’t say to death culture, but to dark culture, because finding inspiration from the darker aspects of life is one way I sort of made sense of it all and came to terms with it.  And really, I think most people are looking for signs that there’s more to life than what it seems, a sort of magic or mystery beneath the surface, and so at times society’s attentions turn to ghosts, or magic, or aliens…just now it happens to be undead creatures such as zombies and vampires.”  

Daywalkers Don’t Model For Lipservice @

Fashion Vandals

This pop culture death obsession is definitely reflected in Riss’s Fashion Vandals blog.  “I wouldn’t quite call it a Goth blog,” she explains, “but it certainly has a dark fashion focus.”

“Goth” or not, it is a vibe that is channeling its way into the mainstream fashion arena, and even creeping into the collections of haute couture designers like Alexander McQueen, with designs that are blatantly TWILIGHT-inspired . 

I asked Ms. Vandal what she thought about the fact that mainstream designers are now attempting to deliver a Goth-edge to department store consumer goods.  She states, “For the past year or so, every day has felt like Goth Christmas when I’ve went out shopping. It’s never been too easy to find affordable dark styles–but at the same time, I’ve never seen the market so inundated with horrid, cheesy takes on Goth style–do not get me started on bedazzled pentagrams and crucifixes.”

I wondered what inspired Vandal to become interested in alternative fashion.  She said, “I was incredibly shy as a kid, but I remember always wanting to visually stand out, and gaining some sort of defiant confidence through that. Then when I was 12, I went to my first punk show, where everyone was fearless and rocking wigs, and spikes, and tri-hawks…and I instantly fell in love and decided I wanted to be surrounded by that forever.  I feel like I’ve pretty much had the exact same style since I was 15, now it’s just a bit more polished.”

Photo Credit: Carlos Phillips Images

Skeletal Distinction @

Fashion Vandals

I’ve noticed that people who are into Goth/alternative fashions also seem to share a fascination with the Victorian Era.  I asked Ms. Vandal to explain why.  “There’s such beauty and drama to the era, but also a definite darkness…especially in terms of the mourning culture,” Riss said,  “I’ve just always found the visual pageantry, but also the contrasts, so fascinating. And Victorian-inspired fashion has a huge impact on Goth style–corsets, parasols, fingerless gloves—are all major aspects of Goth fashion.”

Photo Credit: Cassie McDonald

The Wayward Ones @

Fashion Vandals

Another thing Victorians and Goth fans have in common is the cemetery.  “For those who search for inspiration in death and the darker aspects of life, how can it not be fascinating to reflect on an era that assigned exact periods of time and intricate outfits to mourning the dead? And while some people dismiss cemeteries as morbid, others view them as tranquil and beautiful. A beautiful means to come to terms with life’s greatest darkness…which I feel ties in with both the era and the subculture”, explains Vandal.

The Blues of Ms. Vondasblut @

Fashion Vandals

Since fashion does posses the power to tell us about the age in which we are living, I asked Riss what she thought fashion was telling us about the era we live in right now.  She thoughtfully explained, “I think we’re a confused, cynical age that glorifies the past and wants to be covered in head-to-toe irony.”

Which brings me, in a roundabout way, to the reason I choose to interview Riss Vandal for my own blog about modern day ruins—- this  “cynical age that glorifies the past”, as we allow the structures of our history to just tragically rot away, like abandoned corpses, without hope of restoration or the dignity of an expeditious burial.  I asked Vandal why she utilizes so many abandoned buildings with historical significance for her fashion photo shoots, and why she thinks ruins are so popular as settings for photographers today.   “I like contrasts and I enjoy finding beauty in decay and deconstruction,” she said, “ I also like locations that have a sense of history, even if I don’t know exactly what that history is…because then it allows me to come up with my own story. And I feel as though the latter, wanting a place with a sense of history, is a feeling shared with many artists/photographers.”

Urbanite Vamp @

Fashion Vandals

I personally have to admit, I was a little lost when it came to understanding some of the trendsetting descriptive terms used in the Fashion Vandal blog, so I asked Ms. Vandal to explain the main differences between Punks, Neo-Victorians, Goth Debutantes, and Glam Rockers.  I also wondered if there is an age cut off for any of these looks, given that I may or may not be a few decades….years….older than she is!

 “Spikes, petticoats, combat boots, and hairspray?”, Riss attempts to clarify, “There are both a billion differences and a billion similarities between highly stylized subcultures, but what I meant by the statement in my blog description about “building a world where punks, Neo-Victorians, Goth Debutantes, and Glam Rock Kids can all walk hand-in-hand” is that we should all just find unity through our shared love of loud, dramatic fashion. As for a cut off age–if you can pull something off, then you can pull it off and numbers are arbitrary. I consider fashion a form of artistic expression…and is there an age cutoff for creativity?”

Less Vamp, More Metal @

Fashion Vandals

I wondered, if the hallmark of Preppy Dressing is always looking the same no matter what the era or fashion dictates, what is the first rule of alternative fashion?  Riss answered, “That’s a tricky question for many reasons, though mainly because alternative fashion encompasses so much–Goth, rockabilly, steampunk, etc…Just anything that isn’t quite mainstream. I think there’s no choice but to say that the first rule is that there are no rules…”

I wanted to know if there are simple ways for everyone to add a little alternative fashion flair to their wardrobe, even if they tend to dress in a way that would be described as “classic” or preppy.    “For simple ways to add edge to a look, in terms of makeup, I’d recommend switching up your usual eyeliner application and try a bold cat eye liner application, or experiment with a pair of dramatic false lashes.  In terms of wardrobe, the next time you see something that makes you think “man, I wish I could wear something like that,” stop thinking about it and just buy it–there’s really nothing edgier than that,” was Vandal’s answer. 

You can follow Riss Vandal on Twitter, Facebook and at Fashion Vandals

During that fateful Friday afternoon in May of 2002, when the workers at the Scranton Lace manufacturing facility were unceremoniously told, mid-shift, that the factory was closing “effective immediately”, local broadcasting icon, David DeCosmo, happened to be in the area with his cameraman, searching for a nearby address.

“We had just crossed the small bridge near the factory when we saw a man walking nearby and stopped to ask if he might know how to get to the location we were looking for”, explained DeCosmo, “Before we could ask, he, realizing we were in a news vehicle, speculated we had come because of the notice the workers just got. It was, of course, their notice the plant would be closing its doors and they would be losing their jobs. We managed to catch up with a few of the workers as they were leaving for the day. Everyone who was willing to speak with us was shocked and saddened by the announcement. Some stood and talked with colleagues and friends they had worked with for many years. We saw several shedding tears. A couple told us they knew the business had been facing tough times because of competition from less expensive foreign goods. A few of them expected to see cut backs of some sort. But no one expected the decision to close down completely. There was, of course, concern about their future since there were few other manufacturing jobs available in the area.”

While not exactly the ruins of Ancient Greece, you could easily argue that the ruins of The Scranton Lace Company stand as a monument to the demise of the national prosperity created in America during the Industrial Revolution.  Originally established in 1890, this company spanned two centuries of American history, and was renowned world-wide as the largest producer of Nottingham Lace in the United States for 86 years, between 1916 and 2002, until the day that the workers were told the factory was closing.

At that point, all manufacturing stopped, even leaving unfinished lace, mid-production, within the looms while many of the workers, in a state of shock, left behind personal belongings.  What was left standing was a virtual museum of lace production, frozen in time and space, as the remaining factory was abandoned to rot away in this working-class community, where both the local residents and the factory employees once set their watches by the looming clock tower that still sits arrogantly  poised above the industrial complex.

Now fast-forward to 2011, nine years after the end of its official-life existence as The Scranton Lace Company, when I had the opportunity to enter the facility twice to photograph what remind behind the walls of the massive manufacturing complex.  I cringe at some of these photos; the quality is just so bad from an aesthetic point of view.  I had just started learning about photography one year before having the opportunity to photograph Scranton Lace. But the historian in me understands that people are just curious to see what was left behind– photo blemishes be damned!  So it is in that spirit that I am going to share as many images as I can— dust spots, poor lighting, lack of skill  and all—so that viewers can have a real sense of what it was like to explore the entire facility, not just the locations that lend themselves to creating a pleasing image.

I often say that photographing abandonments is ultimately about photographing failure.  In many ways, Urban Explorers are really modern-day archeologists, documenting the downfall of America as an economic superpower.   This was definitely true at the Scranton Lace factory where you could easily find yourself sifting through the different layers of history, abandoned by the former owners and employees.  Tools were still strewn about on desks; bowling shoes were left waiting on shelves for feet to step into them, and employee documents were still stuffed away in long forgotten filing cabinets.   Despite the passage of time and numerous break-ins by explorers, scrappers and garden-variety thieves, there were still many artifacts to be found within the hushed walls and harsh light of the factory.

Some people who engage in urban exploration also liken the experience, given the current economic conditions in the United States, to photographing a crime scene.  What is actually being photographed in an abandoned manufacturing facility is not the building, but the savage economic beating of the American blue-collar worker, after being exploited by business owners and sold-out by political interests, leaving behind the battered corpse of Industrial America.  That being said, I offer these photos to you, the viewer, as a visual autopsy of the abandoned Scranton Lace factory and the American Dream that died along with it.

 The Boss Man’s Office

Scranton Lace Workers early 1900s

Mention The Scranton Lace Company to someone with ties to the city and they will likely tell you about a relative who worked at the factory, usually right out of high school, where they made “the good money”—enough to comfortably support their family.   In the homes they were able to purchase with their salaries, sometimes right in the same neighborhood, the families would proudly display nothing but Scranton Lace curtains in their widows.  Those who lived nearby as children, fondly recall hearing the “whistle” blowing during the day, signaling to the workers, and the entire neighborhood, that it was lunchtime.  And of course everyone recalls the grand clock tower that reminded the community that they were all living on “company time”. 

MEMO—CLOCK TOWER STAIRS

TO:  ALL EMPLOYEES USING THIS STAIRWELL

This stairwell has been cleaned.  This area was an unnecessary mess, with trash strewn about.  Dust and dirt from foot traffic are normal, coffee cups, candy wrappers, tissues, etc are not. 

Keep this area clean.  Anyone caught littering will be subject to disciplinary action.

Finding the area in this condition again may result in departmental shutdown to clean it.

The owners of Scranton Lace, who also owned a coal mine and a cotton field, certainly understood the advantages early 20^th-century corporate welfare, especially during the height of the unionization movement in the United States. The facility contained bowling alleys, a gymnasium/theater, a barber shop, a fully-staffed infirmary, an event-sized kitchen, employee showers, and other recreational perks such as shuffleboard. The employees were strongly encouraged to take advantage of these provisions, which were great for workers, but also limited opportunities for them to gather together off of the company property, where they could talk about their employer and open themselves up to interactions with union bosses looking to infiltrate the ranks of the Scranton Lace employees.

Event Size Kitchen

Do The Scranton Lace Shuffle

Theatre Seating 

Last Curtain Call 

Employee Showers 

THIS IS YOUR LAVATORY

We try to keep it clean for the benefit of all—

Will you kindly help by:

1.Depositing paper towels and other refuse in receptacles for used towels.

2.Wiping wash bowl with paper towel after using.

Once upon a time in America, with the skills they held literally in the palms of their hands plus a strong work ethic, those employed by the manufacturing sector could earn enough money to live the American Dream.  But as corporate greed became more and more indifferent to the contributions of the working men and women who helped to create a national empire of prosperity for everyone willing and able to work with their hands, industries began utilizing workers overseas, where the standard of living was lower and the cost of labor much cheaper.  Add to that scenario the technological advances that made it possible to automate many tasks once performed by people, and one by one, the factories across the nation started closing, and workers were left to flounder in struggling economic conditions. 

Post-Industrial Scranton, once a thriving manufacturing community, is struggling on the brink of financial disaster.  With industrial production long gone, the population has steadily decreased over the years.  By the summer of 2012, with only $300,000 left in its bank account and facing a $1-million payroll that July, the city was forced to reduce every city employee’s income to the minimum wage, because Scranton couldn’t make another deal with the devil and secure more bank financing in an attempt to postpone the inevitable yet again.  While area hospitals and universities provide employment opportunities for some, those niche employers alone cannot carry this city and its people out of these dire financial circumstances.   

When former Secretary of State and First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton, was campaigning during her bid for the presidency, she reminded local voters that her grandfather worked for over 50 years at the Scranton Lace mill.  In the comment sections of the newspapers covering her visit, readers speculated about the kind of employment opportunities that would be available for Hugh Rodham in Scranton today beyond working at Burger King or a call center for little above the minimum wage.  Today, Scranton, like many other medium-sized cities across the nation, is financially doomed, and for many of the people still living there, the American Dream has flatlined.  The average income per capita in Scranton is only $19,000 a year, and less than $35,000 for a family. Raising taxes at the rate that would be required to dig the city out of the financial hole that it is in, is just not a feasible option.

Today, the long abandoned former Scranton Lace Company building, which is about the size of two city blocks,  is under new ownership.  Long term plans are finally underway to convert the building into a multi-use complex.  Prior to the start of renovation, those allowed inside to photographically document the facility will  never forget the sight of the 2.5-story, 19th-century looms, with unfinished lace that had become covered in dirt and grease, evidence of the passage of time.  These pictures are from April of 2011.  It’s been said that the looms weigh more than 20 tons.

To this day, Nottingham Lace, named for the city in England where the loom for manufacturing lace was developed in the mid-1800s, remains historically as the city of Scranton’s highest profile export.

Punch cards, predecessors of now obsolete computer punch-card technology, full of tiny holes for the loom needles to pass through were still scattered throughout the facility.  Looking closely at the cards, you can easily make out the intended woven pattern based upon the arrangement of the holes.  The mechanism needles either fall through a hole or are blocked by the card.

During World War II, the factory shifted gears to become an essential provider of mosquito and camouflage netting, bomb parachutes, and tarpaulins for the troops.  At the end of that war, the company returned to making cotton yarn, vinyl shower curtains, and the textile laminates used for umbrellas, patio furniture, and pool liners.

In this section of the facility, conveyor lines run up the wall and into a stock room, filled with row after row of wooden racks.

Black Tie or Wal-Mart?

When I returned to photograph the factory again in September of 2011, renovations in many of the areas were underway, and the conveyor lines had been removed.

April 2011

September 2011

Also gone, was all but one of those impressively massive Nottingham Looms.

The Loom Room April 2011

The Loom Room September 2011

Loom Room Water Fountain

 
March/April 2002

1937

Showroom Display Window 

Cashier

Newsman David DeCosmo noted that prior to abandoning the facility completely; The Scranton Lace Company opened its factory to the public as it sold off lace curtains and other products that were already in stock.  He said, “My wife and daughter took advantage of the savings! As I write this note I can glance at four of my windows which are covered with beautiful lace curtains manufactured by those workers at Scranton Lace. The workmanship and quality is fantastic! “

To learn more about the history of The Scranton Lace Factory and current plans for the building, you can find my article “A Community on Company Time” online in the Winter Issue of Independent NEPA.

 Mr. DeCosmo currently maintains a blog called “No News Is…Good News?”

~~~

Enjoy delving into images of the past?  Check out

Wilkes-Barre (Images of America Series)

by local author  Elena Castrignano

(Proceeds from the book benefit the Luzerne County Historical Society)

~~~

Can’t Get Enough “Scranton Lace” or “Urban Exploration”?

“As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against US”

is available in UE Magazine

~~~

Back To “Guerrilla History Blog”  Table of Contents

Re-born through death

Time fades away and leaves a memory

But that red sky rests so quite

Upon the ashes of innocence

And some things never really come alive

Until after they have died.”

–”The Beginning Of An End”  (ASTORIAN STIGMATA)

The Huber Breaker in Ashley,  Pennsylvania, USA

Sometimes, engaging in urban exploration is like experiencing an alternative reality.   In these abandoned and often beloved structures, ghost-like representations of what “once was” collide head-on with their current state of decay and ruination, representing a dream-like status between existence and non-existence, somewhere in the middle of life and death.  

Naturally, a local band with a name based upon the concept of an alternative reality, combined with the imagery of open wounds, and the catch phrase “Stay Dead”, would conclude that one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s most popular urban exploration sites would be the perfect setting for filming a music video or two!  

But according to Astorian Stigmata founder and front man, Dennis Condusta, his hometown, which is referred to as the “Victorian Corner of Pennsylvania” on the band’s Facebook page, always stars in his videos.  “I’ve traveled extensively and it has really helped me notice that Wilkes-Barre is a truly unique place in many ways”, Dennis explains, “Most of them aren’t positive ways, but in the architectural sense, it really has a “decayed elegance” feel.  Like it was once a prospering place during the coal mine era and now it’s kinda run down, and somewhat dismal.  I noticed over the years that the message in my music was very similar to that.  I’ve always been drawn to the concept of once beautiful things fading away.  I know that they always can return.   It’s kind of a positive way to look at decay and things falling apart. And “Victorian Corner” is just a reference to a lot of the Victorian era architecture in the surrounding area of Wilkes-Barre. I’ve always been drawn to its class, and most of our records have Victorian era houses on the cover.”

While discussing the Astorian Stigmata video “Ballroom Dancing”, Condusta said that their European fans often make comments about how much they love the look of the old historical stuff here in Pennsylvania.  “Most of those shots (in the video) were right in the downtown area, the apartments across from the River Front, and close up shots of the Sterling Hotel”, he stated, “And the European fans say things like “I’d love to visit Wilkes-Barre!” Ha-ha. I think it has a lot to do with the way it’s represented”, he explained, “We really romanticized the place in all our work.  And people from here never realize how truly unique and beautiful a lot of the things we have around here are, mostly things left over from the coal era.  If we become a bigger band it’s going to be a good thing for Wilkes-Barre tourism!  Ha-ha.  It always kinda bugged me how bands move away from their home to embrace the music scene other places or whatever, and that’s all fine.  But I see myself as an artist far before a musician who is trying to “make it” or anything like that.  So I do my best to represent the area I am from because it has played such a huge part in my artistic understanding of the world around me.”

The Hotel Sterling ruins in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA

Condusta came up with the band name in 2003 while watching an HBO show called “Carnival”–specifically,  an episode titled “The Road to Astoria”, when he became intrigued by the idea of an alternative reality, but one  very similar to the one we know. That “alternative reality” notion  is the main reason I chose to write about Astorian Stigmata for my blog about urban exploration, because that is the very concept that urban explorers are trying to capture when they photograph the abandoned structures where people once lived, worked, played, worshipped, dreamed or suffered. 

Condusta was drawn to the word Stigmata for its powerful look and strong pronunciation.  Which is a relevant choice, because the visual images portrayed in many of the band’s videos are both harsh and destructive.  Yet, in listening to the lyrics, you can’t miss the sentimental vibe—like a verbalized wish that life was less fragile and that people, places and things could be more permanent.  

Dennis explained that “most of my lyrics are about dualities.  Which is also why we use black and white stripes so consistently in our logo and branding—they represent the ups and downs of life, and that they are both equal, and both present at all times.”    Many of their song lyrics are quite philosophical, touching upon concepts such as being “re-born through death”, as in the lyrics of the one video filmed at the Huber Breaker.  “It refers to an existential death and coming back to life as a better person, but only after your old sense of self has died”, Dennis stated.  Fans consider the band’s catch phrase, “Stay Dead” and their entire “death” theme, as a metaphor for the kind of self-fulfillment that leads to happiness by remaining true to yourself.

In fact, staying true to themselves is even embraced by Astorian Stigmata in their business model, because they literally do everything themselves.  Dennis explains that being an “indie” band allows you to do things, your way, all the time, when you want. We’re pretty specific about what we are trying to say and do.”  According to Dennis, “I’ve always loved design/photography/hand printing t-shirts/video/editing/music recording/writing and production–even the hard work like hand making every CD. Our guitar player, DJ, is the same way. He  enjoys it all and we work well together as a team. We don’t call ourselves a “punk” band, but we carry that flag and ethic as hard as anyone.  Not because we want to, but because no one is gonna do anything for us.  We’ve been offered record deals and things, but we’re not dumb dudes in a band. We understand how business works, and how things happen, and that 90% of the industry side of music is there to fool you into making them money.”  

Condusta further explains that as an artist, his focus isn’t the same as that of a corporate business entity, only interested in creating mainstream conceptual “art” that is made popular for the purpose of selling it quickly, “We make lasting art. Songs we wrote 5 years ago have as much relevance now as they did then, and will still be relevant 20 years from now.”

Dennis Condusta became interested in playing guitar at a young age, because his older brother also played.  As luck would have it, he won a guitar when he was 16, at a BMX riding contest.  He was influenced by the music of Modest Mouse (“Dramamine”) and Taking Back Sunday (“A New American Classic”) plus a strong desire to create his own music.   “I have no interest in learning cover songs.  I just knew I had a feeling inside me and I wanted to learn to get it out as fast as possible”, he said.  Dennis also states that his most important influences are his brother and his friends. 

Condusta, a life-long resident of this region, known for its working-class sensibilities, which are often hallmarked by the suppression of individualism, did note that this area sometimes has a lack of respect for a broad variety artistic expression.   Still, he credits this area for helping him to form his artistic vision, and openly accepts the responsibility and challenges required to act as the ambassador of his own vision, “I do not see that as their fault for misunderstanding me, I see it as my own fault for not doing a good enough job at being understood.  I am not afraid to dress strange or to wear two different shoes, it reminds me not to take life too seriously. You’d probably be surprised at how little people notice/care about how crazy someone looks if you do it confidently.  It’s when you feel uncomfortable or out-of-place that people can sense it, then they insult you.”

Much of our local history is dark and reflective of the oppression of the human spirit, because for a long period of our recent history, the area was monopolized by an industry that told people daily that they did not matter.  In fact, the mules that worked in the anthracite coal mines were insured, while the humans laboring there were not!  Local workers had to resign themselves to the fact that they were being exploited, just for the opportunity to earn a paycheck.  “That coal miner mentality is still engrained in the people from this area. I think it plays an enormous role in the art I create, so I respect it very much and choose to embrace it”, Dennis said, “There is a dark cloud of oppression that just sits over this valley, although it’s not strong enough to keep me down in any sense.  I find it comforting– in a totally sick and twisted kinda way. Ha-ha”

One of the prominent remnants of the coal mining era, the Huber Breaker ruins, has a starring role in two of Astorian Stigmata’s videos. (For those of you outside of Northeastern Pennsylvania, a coal breaker is literally a place where the coal that was brought up from the mines was broken into smaller pieces using machinery.) This location is popular with urban explorers because they love to photograph the machinery and vanishing points that are contained within the decaying walls of this now obsolete industrial complex.  I asked Dennis to explain the inspiration behind using this location for these videos.  “It’s one of a kind”, he said, “And it’s in rather good shape for how old it is.  That place has a feeling and a beauty to it I’ve never felt anywhere else.  It’s special in that sense and it’s really inspiring in many ways. It’s hard to explain.”

I asked Dennis if he thought that exposing non-history buffs or individuals unfamiliar with our local history, to our historic locations in a non-traditional artistic context is a good way to inspire an interest in the subject matter.  “Yes, I do”, he responded, “Our target audience has never been local.  We’ve always strived to appeal to a worldly audience.  Most local people think the Huber is played out, ‘cause they’ve seen it so many times, but there’s a person sitting in Norway right now watching that video thinking that’s the coolest place they’ve ever seen.”  

And believe me, he’s not kidding!  One of my personal, most interesting experiences with the Huber Breaker includes running into a group of students from Germany, taking pictures of the Breaker, as one of their stops on an “Urban Exploration” tour of the industrial ruins along the east coast of the United States!

I asked Condusta, a descendent of coal miners himself–both of his great grandfathers were employed by this industry–if he had any thoughts about using a place where men, and even little boys, were oppressed and exploited to express himself artistically.  He said, “Yes, I always think of that.  And sadly the world still works that way.  I always kinda wished people knew the background on the industry and of that place ‘cause it would add a whole new dimension to the message I’m trying to send.”  Although Dennis maintains that the videos and pictures are primarily for aesthetic purposes, and produced for a world-wide audience who does not see such places as they go about their daily lives.     “While I understand and respect the history personally”, Dennis explains, “I don’t expect someone in Spain to think of that.”

Of the two Astorian Stigmata videos filmed at the Huber Breaker, “The Beginning Of An End” is the most artistic in nature, and therefore open to individual interpretation.  I thought it would be interesting to analyze the video/lyrics within the context of the historical setting with Condusta. 

The start of this video features a guy in a camouflage suit collecting water samples from this industrial site in a post apocalyptic world.   I found it somewhat poetic that in the beginning of the video you hear “stay safe”, because the irony is that for the men who worked at that dangerous site, in such a high-risk industry, that’s what they, and their loved ones, were thinking every day.  Dennis found that interpretation interesting, but said that it wasn’t quite what he was thinking while creating that scene for the video.   The video also features a vampire, which I interpreted as a representation of the coal company literally feeding off of the coal miners to turn a profit for themselves, while their employees often lived in impoverished conditions.

The song lyrics contain the phrase “where beauty meets decay”.  I asked Condusta if he thought there was something tragically beautiful about this specific abandoned industrial site.  “Yes, most certainly”, he said, “It’s symbolic of what was once flourishing, busy and a source of life and jobs for an entire city. And now it’s pushed aside and forgotten. That’s the central theme of my artistic being.”

I asked Dennis why he chose to end the video with the sound of a laughing child.  “That was just to provide and exaggerate the feeling of unease that I was attempting to convey”, he explained.

The video “Strange Nights (Live From The End Of The World), was also filmed on location at the Huber Breaker.  I asked Condusta if there was something about the location that promoted an “end of the world” feeling.  “Yes”, he responded, “It reminds me of what the world would look, and feel like if it were to suddenly end. I found a worker’s time card in the breaker dated from 1962.  It’s just interesting to think about how so much of that place seems like the workers just walked out at the end of the shift, and didn’t come back. It doesn’t feel like it ever planned to close–it has a feeling of unrest.”

In conclusion, I asked Dennis if there was anything that he wanted people to know about himself or Astorian Stigmata.  “Myself personally?  I’m not a terribly interesting person”, was his response, “I put my life into art and I ask for nothing in return. I don’t do this for money/fame or reputation. I was just born with a soul that needs to express itself, and I hope somewhere along the way someone else gets some enjoyment from the work I do.”

You can find more information about Astorian Stigmata by visiting their official website  and  Facebook page .   

Maximilian Aladar was born on May 28th 2005.  He is the creation of Dennis Condusta who was in need of someone to play the drums for his band, because at that time, he was playing all of the instruments himself on the recordings.  Dennis made Max that very night, never finishing his legs or giving him a mouth.  This way, Max could not talk back (using words) or run away.  Today, Max serves as the guide for Astorian Stigmata.  He is the puppet master who is a puppet…..

Back to the Guerrilla Historian Table of Contents

I feel the need to have one of those “Beavis and Butt-head are not role models. They’re not even human, they’re cartoons.  Some of the things they do could cause a person to get hurt, expelled, arrested… possibly deported.  To put it another way, don’t try this at home” warnings at the beginning of this post.  

While Ed Mountjoy is NOT a cartoon character (although some may disagree), what he does is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, and you should just resign yourself to enjoying his adventures from the safety of your computer/smartphone screen.  But since urban explorers tend to view “No Trespassing” signs as invitations to enter, I won’t bother coming up with a disclaimer of my own….I’ll just stand by what Mike Judge said, just insert Ed Mountjoy and abandoned anthracite mines for yourselves!   

Many Social Media users in Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) recognize Ed Mountjoy as the face of The Forgotten Coal Industry of NEPA’S Facebook page.  But Ed’s following is quickly spreading beyond the “coal region” of Pennsylvania, and into the realm of the world-wide network of urban exploration.  And understandably so, since within the “explorer” hierarchy, those who explore the territory below the earth’s surface definitely carry more prestige than those of us who remain steadfastly with our feet planted above the ground. 

While there are coal deposits scattered about the world, the coal from Northeastern Pennsylvania  is special  because it is anthracite coal, which is more pure, harder, and of higher carbon content than any  other type of coal on the entire planet.  In the Western Hemisphere, 95 percent of the anthracite coal supply is located within the 500 square mile region of Pennsylvania that is the topic of Ed’s “Forgotten Coal Industry” Facebook page. 

The story of anthracite coal mining in NEPA is complex.  It’s about pioneering industry and the entrepreneurial spirit, as well as the darker side of greed, suffering, and human exploitation. During the coal era in NEPA, the elite Coal Barons (coal company owners, a.k.a. The 1%) built magnificent Victorian mansions, as their immigrant workers often lived in overcrowded, company-owned “patch towns”, while actually having to pay their employer for the supplies necessary to do their high-risk  jobs that resulted in earning less than what we would call a “living wage” today.

 The coal mines of Luzerne County have been abandoned for decades now, but Ed Mountjoy is on a mission to document and share whatever remains he can find that relate to our local coal mining history before these remnants are gone forever—especially those places or structures that are hidden away from us as we go about our daily modern lives full of urban sprawl. 

While many urban explorers have documented popular local coal-related locations such as the Huber Breaker and Concrete City, Ed ventures into an area of local exploration that you never really hear about—the actual anthracite mines themselves.  Since exploration is ultimately about documenting the remains and ruins of the places that touched the lives of the people who once lived, worked, worshipped, or played at these locations, Ed is honoring the men who worked in these coal mines by reminding us all about the physical reality of their confined workspace. 

A Slope Leading To A Flooded Mine

One truth remains the same today as it did for the men who toiled daily underground decades ago in NEPA–anyone entering a coal mine faces many dangers such as underground floods, roof falls, a mine collapse, fire, and countless other methods of serious injury or death.  A coal mine is not a glamorous place to be at all. The men working underground found themselves in an environment that was dirty, dangerous and most likely damp.  Standing up straight is almost impossible because mine tunnel ceilings are too low.  The air that you breathe in a coal mine is stale & dusty.  The miners actually had to use pieces of lumber to prop up the roof in the area that they were working in, as an attempt to avoid being trapped or crushed by huge rocks.  This knowledge gives anthracite mine explorers an adrenaline rush when something seems out of the ordinary during a mission.

“During a recent exploration, we thought we were hearing part of the mine collapsing, but it turned out to be some rocks sliding down an incline we just went up. That scared us but we were relieved to know it wasn’t the mine collapsing”, explained Ed.

Ed began seriously exploring abandoned anthracite mines at the end of 2010.  He had explored the remains of two collieries (for those of you outside of the NEPA region, a colliery is a coal mine and the buildings associated with it) as well as other abandoned buildings as far back as 2006, so he was already interested in abandonments.   “ I was informed about two mines and originally was just going to find them and get exterior photos of the openings into them”,  he explained, “ After several attempts looking for them, we, a friend and I, found them and saw they were low mine openings, meaning you have to crawl to get inside. We decided to enter them and the interest just sparked from there after seeing what we had inside of those two low mines.”

When asked how he finds mines to explore, Ed responded, “Well, I normally do research about what mines were in opperation around a particular area before exploring.  Sometimes, we’ll just run across a mine and, after exploring, will do research afterwards on what mines they may have been and what companies owned them during their years of operation. As for preparing to explore one of these mines, we’ll examine the conditions of the opening before entering; making sure the ceiling isn’t in horrible condition.”

Props Holding Up Mine Ceiling

As far as equipment goes, Ed approaches mine exploration on the lighter side by just carrying a flashlight, camera, tripod, and a drink.  He is also sure to take someone else with him. “I NEVER explore any place alone”, he stated, “I always have at least one other willing friend who comes with me. You never know what can happen when exploring any abandoned place, and mines are no exception.”

I wanted to know if he ever got lost while engaging in his underground exploration adventures.   Ed’s response was that he has never been lost, not even while exploring the largest mining system that he has been in, “I have a rather good sense of direction and can retrace my steps back, plus some of the mines still have arrows painted on the walls and ceilings pointing to the exit from back when they were mined”.  

I was curious to know what Ed considered to be the most difficult aspect of this type of exploration.  “Finding any mines that haven’t been sealed closed, and seeing if they are safe enough to enter, if they are still open.  Most of the mines that were in operation have been sealed off, whether they were blasted shut, filled or grated off.   Even many of the ones that were left open, either due to being forgotten about or just haven’t been attended to yet, have since collapsed on their own”, was his response.  He further added, “It’s more dangerous than an above ground structure. The deeper you go, there is more of a chance that something can happen and less of a chance you’ll be found, unlike a building where if you get hurt, chances are you can get a cell signal and call for help. Mines and other underground places tend to have no cell service, so it’s best to tell another the location of where you’re going, in case something does happen”.

A Steep Pitch Mine

While describing what it is like to spend time in these abandoned underground work spaces today, Ed thoughtfully explained that it’s quite peaceful, “Its dead quiet in the old mines. The most you may hear, besides yourself and whoever is with you, may be a few bats, which I have seen hanging from the ceilings, and water dripping from the cracks in the ceiling. The quietness adds to the thought of knowing that at one point, there were men down there digging those tunnels, setting up those props and loading coal into the mine carts to go to the surface to be processed at the breaker, which, during those times, the mines would have been anything but quiet.”

I asked Ed what he was hoping to accomplish by exploring these abandoned anthracite mines.  “To show others an aspect of our history that is overlooked today. Most know about the coal mining history, and others may have explored some of the places that are still standing, such as the Huber Colliery, but not many get to see the very mines where the coal was brought out of to be processed at these breakers.  My photos are a way to document and preserve the history of a once prosperous industry”, was his response.

What really leaves an impression on Ed about these underground spaces where men had to work every day is “how low some of these mines were, and knowing that there were men who actually dug those low mine tunnels out to get to that coal. Just try to imagine crawling around in a tunnel no more than four feet tall trying to dig further into it, trying to reach as much of the coal as you can without the solid rock above you crashing down on top of you. That’s what it must have been like for those miners.  What would probably surprise most people is how low some of these mines are and the fact that men were actually down there, crawling around, grabbing the coal from those low mines to earn a paycheck.”

A Prop Holding Up A Low Mine

You can follow Ed Mountjoy and all of his coal mining exploration endeavors on Facebook at The Forgotten Coal Industry of NEPA

 “Because it’s their time. Their time!  Up there!

Down here, it’s our time. It’s our time down here!”

–The Goonies

I encourage anyone interested in learning more about

abandoned mine underground research to visit :

The Official Website of Abandoned Mine Research, Inc.

and please note this warning about abandoned mine exploration:

Stay Out….Stay Alive!

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Return To The

GUERRILLA HISTORY TABLE OF CONTENTS

Generations of families living near the Susquehanna River in Plymouth, or passing over the Carey Avenue Bridge, have grown accustom to seeing the huge smokestacks looming in the background. 

1950s (?) era picture with smokestacks in background

While the smokestacks have been dormant for many decades, and in some ways, have even changed with the times because, apparently, they now have something to do with providing cellular service, they still stand as a monument to a more powerful time—a time when humans first became God-like in their ability to provide artificial light, on a grand scale, during the darkest hours of the night.

In 1882, the first commercial power station opened in New York City.   Just two years later, The Wilkes-Barre Electric Company, along with Hildreth & Co. (Nanticoke), started offering service in some areas of Luzerne County.   

Locally, it was primarily our West Side Communities that were the pioneers in electrical power and lighting for the area.  Nanticoke, Kingston, Wyoming, Forty Fort, Luzerne, Plymouth and Shickshinny all constructed power plants to meet the growing needs of this exciting, new industry. 

“I’ve Got The Power……..It’s gettin’ it’s gettin’ it’s gettin’ kinda hectic……”

Eventually, they all merged and consolidated into one big ”light plant” that took over the responsibility for serving the entire area, which is what you still see standing today  at the river’s edge, on the corner of Bridge and Beade Streets.  Built in 1905, it was the fifth power plant erected in Plymouth.   

The very first power plant to operate in Plymouth opened in 1886 on Cherry Street.  During the early years of the lighting industry, commercial lighting was only furnished during “lighting hours” and only street lights were on the “moonlight”, or “all night”, schedule. I find it compelling to contemplate the notion that at one point humans had little control over darkness, and then we found a way to master the darkness by distributing artificial light. 

Can you spot the wire hanger still in place on the wall?

Today, the Plymouth Light Plant still stands, in a state of semi-abandonment.  The front portion of the building, bordering Bridge Street, is used as a rental storage facility, while the back portion of the structure remains unused.  The grounds around the back, with all of the “High Voltage” electrical service structures, make up the UGI Electrical Service Plymouth Substation. 

A big “thanks” to the Plymouth Historical Society for providing me with the information about the Plymouth Power Plant!  I was unable find anything on my own…..

Luzerne County Gas & Electric Corporation “ghost sign” overlooking the Susquehanna River

Smokestack as it looks from the front of the home

that belonged to my grandparents on Beade Street

Guerrilla Historian Prints on RedBubble!

Return to the Guerrilla History TABLE OF CONTENTS

The event that I am most often asked about is the collapse of a pavilion at the (now abandoned) Croop’s Glen Amusement Park —during a baby contest, of all things! 

In April of 1917, a newspaper blurb announced that “A new picnic ground with every known amusement device is being built at Hunlock’s Creek and will be open on May 28th as Croop’s Glen”.  By the 1930s, the park became a very popular venue for civic group outings which were often publicized in the local newspaper. 

Between 1926 and 1927, two wooden roller coasters were added.

There was a full size coaster named Twister, and one Kiddie Coaster.

Both pictures  of “Twister” courtesy of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company

Roller Coaster Entrance

Photo Courtesy of Ellen Geisel

During an outing planned by the Nanticoke Unemployed League in June of 1935, as mothers were assembling on the pavilion with their children for a baby show along with observers, the floor of the pavilion, which was situated between 20 & 30 feet above the bed of Hunlock’s Creek, parted in the middle and then dropped.  A witness account described a “roar of furniture, crockery, glass and human bodies falling into the creek”.   

Abandoned Park Picnic Tables in 2010

According to the newspaper ““The floor of the Pavilion broke in two, creating a large funnel into which tumbled men, women and screaming children, together with benches, chairs and tables and the paraphernalia   usually taken along by picnickers”.   Witnesses estimated that between 250 and 300 people were standing on the pavilion at the time of the accident. 

Dance Pavilion?  Could be…..

Photo Courtesy of Ellen Geisel

Fortunately, the sides and roof of the structure stayed intact, contributing to the fact that no one died during or after the catastrophe.   As a result of the collapse, 145 people were admitted to the hospital.  A local newspaper reported that “after the rescue work, shoes, purses, hats and bits of clothing could be seen in the wreckage, mute testimony of the horror that overtook the hundreds who were on the pavilion.”

The park was owned by B.F. Croop and the land was leased to Charles Shelly who was the park manager.  According to the newspaper, officials of the Nanticoke Unemployed League Council initially expressed belief that over-crowding caused the accident.  Complete details about the accident are available thru the Luzerne County Library System’s Sunday Independent online archives at “200 Picnickers Injured Here As Dance Pavilion Collapses”.

On July 10^th, 1938, the newspaper reported that the park was being sued by 12 people for injuries sustained during the pavilion accident.  The majority were seeking $5,000 in damages, a few asked for $10,000 and the highest amounted to $15,000.  Visit “$96,000 Damages Asked by 12 for Injuries In Pavilion Crash” to see a list of the plaintiffs. 

While many people speculate that the accident and subsequent lawsuit led to the closing and abandonment of Croop’s Glen Amusement Park that does not seem to be the case.  An article from August of 1943 states:

 “Noted for years as one of the regions natural parks, Croop’s Glen this year is a complete casualty of the war effort.”

Carousel – photo by Croop’s Glen Art Studio

Photo Courtesy of Ellen Geisel

”The park has been renovated substantially since the dance hall collapse ten years ago, but the rollercoaster, whip, dodgem, merry-go-round and kiddies train, to mention the leading amusements have not turned a wheel this summer.”

Carousel

Photo Courtesy of Ellen Geisel

“They, as well as the penny arcade, refreshment and prize stands, are covered as protection from the elements.  The swimming pool, which for many years was one of the best patronized in the region, because of its mountain-fresh, ever-flowing water, has also gone to pot.”

Swimming Pool Remains in 2010

“It was a favorite place for basket outings and still has excellent facilities, including a large outdoor oven and scores of tables and benches if people were so inclined.”

Concession Stand/Picnic Grove in 2010

The article also mentions that lack of public transportation was contributing to the decline of the park.  You can access the full text of the article at “Park At Croop’s Glen Complete War Casualty” 

I was unable to find anything stating when the park officially closed, by some accounts; it remained open as a picnic spot through the mid-50s, with the dance hall serving as a skating rink. 

Abandoned Park Picnic Grove Structure in 2010

Prints from Abandoned Croop’s Glen are now

available in my Lost History  Collection on RedBubble!

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Want to know more about the history of NEPA’S “lost” Amusement Park?

Read all about it here!

Al Capone’s cell at Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia.

Everyone knows that legendary gangster Al Capone’s reign ended when he was found guilty of tax evasion, but did you know that doing time for a minor charge helped the notorious prohibition-era crime boss lay low after he ordered the most spectacular gangland slaying in mob history?

In 1929, on February 14th, seven members of Chicago’s North Side Irish gang were lined up in a warehouse/garage by two men from Capone’s South Side Italian gang dressed as police officers.  Thinking that it was a routine police raid, everyone peacefully did as they were told as the rival gunmen removed their weapons and then proceeded to pump their bodies full of lead using two Tommy guns, a sawed-off shotgun, and a .45.  Each of the seven victims received at least 15 bullets, mostly in the head.  The event became known as The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre.

Shortly after The Massacre, during what is said to be a planned arrest, Capone is picked up in Philadelphia for carrying a concealed weapon, and sentenced to a year in Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) where he could reside in safety behind bars in the “Park Avenue Block” of the prison. The warden and guards at ESP gave special consideration to Mr. Capone during his stay.   He was permitted to hang artwork in his private cell, was allowed to have tables, lamps, a velvet duvet, comfortable chair and even an expensive radio so he could listen to waltzes after dinner.  Capone was allowed to continue to conduct business.  The organized crime boss was able to use the warden’s office to make long-distance phone calls and to meet with his lawyer.  Capone was released from ESP two months early for good behavior!

While Capone’s time at ESP many have been relatively pleasant, he may not have left unaffected by his stay.  During the early years of the Twentieth Century, rumors about ghosts began to circulate at the prison.  While he was incarcerated at ESP, Capone began to be “haunted” by the “ghost” of James Clark, one of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre victims and the brother-in-law of his rival Bugs Moran.  Other inmates reported that they could hear Capone yelling in his cell begging “Jimmy” to leave him alone.  The crime boss even contacted a psychic to get rid of the angry specter.  Years later, Capone would say that Clark’s vengeful spirit followed him from Eastern State Penitentiary and would follow him to the grave.  Fact, fiction, imagination or was Capone starting to show signs of the full-blown psychosis that would eventually start to haunt him when he was later incarcerated in Alcatraz for tax evasion?

Can’t get enough ESP?

Don’t miss the rest of the ESP Halloween Tales:

1. Haunted ESP (ghost on film)

2. The Eye of God and The Mad Chair

And

3. The Ghost Cats

Guerrilla History Prints now available on RedBubble!

Or consider these unique holiday card images!

The Eye of God

It’s not at all farfetched to think that negative energy could be left behind in a place where prisoners were subjected daily to a variety of physical and psychological torture regimens.  Even the most minor infractions could lead to guards dousing prisoners with freezing water outside during the winter, chaining their tongues to their wrists so that struggling against the chains would cause the tongue to tear, strapping prisoners into chairs with leather restraints only to leave them there for days on end and putting them into a pit where they would have no light, no human contact and very little food for up to two weeks.  No wonder, this prison turned museum is considered “one of the most haunted places on earth!”

This is Cellblock 15, or “Death Row”, where men waited out the last months of their lives at Eastern State Penitentiary, before being transferred to Pennsylvania’s only death chamber at the State Correctional Institution at Rockview. This cellblock has been inhabited by some of Pennsylvania’s most violent, aggressive criminals, who lived here in physical isolation from each other and the prison staff.

This is THE MAD CHAIR.  It was given this name because it was not uncommon for an inmate to go mad before his punishment ended. As seen on Ghost Adventurers….

Watch Ghost Adventurers at  THE MAD CHAIR

Can’t get enough ESP?

Don’t miss the rest of the ESP Halloween Tales:

1. Haunted ESP (ghost on film)

2. The Ghost of Gangster’s Paradise   

3. The Ghost Cats

Guerrilla History Prints now available on RedBubble!

Or consider these unique holiday card images!