|
Internet group hopes to get Centralia an historic marker
CENTRALIA, Dec 13, 2008 (The News-Item - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
If approval is secured and funds are raised, the Borough of Centralia could have its own state historical marker sometime in 2009.
That's the hope of Thomas J. Dempsey of Girardville, the moderator and founder of the Centralia-Conyngham History and Genealogy Group, a Yahoo! Internet site with more than 650 members who can share information and photos and leave messages with other members.
A local historian, Dempsey attended Monday's regular monthly meeting of Centralia Borough Council to explain that an effort has been initiated to obtain the historical marker from the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission.
"We, meaning our Internet history group for Centralia and Conyngham Township, are striving to get the commonwealth to erect a Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission historical marker in Centralia," said Dempsey to council President Bonnie Hynoski and Councilman John Comarnisky.
If the historic commission approves the application, the proposed location for the marker would be at South Locust Avenue near the veterans monument. The site itself has historic significance since it was the location of the home of Alexander W. Rea, who is considered the "father" of Centralia.
Dempsey said the application needed an official sponsor before it could be submitted to Harrisburg.
"I managed to get the Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society in Bloomsburg to be our sponsor. They are the official historical society of Columbia County as designated by the county commissioners," said Dempsey.
The estimated overall cost to purchase and install the marker is $2,200. The marker cost is $1,850.
"The paperwork is finished and is with the society, but the application will not be submitted until we have enough money raised," Dempsey said. "The bill would go to the historical society, but we don't want them to sponsor us and then have to pay for it. We believe we can raise the money."
Dempsey said a fundraising campaign was started on the Internet with the Yahoo! group, and in a short time almost $1,000 has been raised. He is confident that the additional funds can be raised.
The proposed wording on both sides of the historical marker, with "Centralia" as the header, is:
"Settled by Johnathan Faust in 1841 and laid out by Alexander W. Rea in 1856. Centralia was incorporated in 1866. The borough had almost 3,000 residents in its heyday, with 400 more in adjacent areas. Anthracite mining was the main industry and a coal mine fire which began in 1962 resulted in the relocation of most residents to other areas. It had seven churches, a school system, railroad station, hotels and many business places."
"I didn't put in how many bars," said Dempsey, which got a laugh from everyone in the meeting room. "They're part of the 'many business places.'"
Dempsey said the proposed site was chosen partially because of security reasons, since it would be located near a home that might help prevent vandalism. He added that the site is also a place were people congregate for veterans programs and other activities.
"I'm just here for the support of the borough," said Dempsey.
"I think it's great," said Hynoski.
"You got it," added Comarnisky.
The application must be submitted to Harrisburg by Jan. 5 for consideration in 2009. A decision from the state commission would come by late March. If the deadline is missed, the marker application would have to wait until 2010. If approved, a dedication ceremony may be held in September.
Those interested in donating to the project can send a check payable to the "Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society" or "CCHGS" to Centralia Marker, c/o Thomas Dempsey, 204 W. Main St., Girardville 17935. Write "Centralia" in the lower left corner of the check. A list of contributors will be listed on the group's Web site (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/centcony) and on the printed program for the dedication ceremony.
To see more of The News-Item or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.newsitem.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The News-Item, Shamokin, Pa.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email
tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax
to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave.,
Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
|
TMCnet LOGIN
Webinars
