Nestled in the hills of Nanticoke is an abandoned concrete city in Pennsylvania, boasting a fascinating history and an uncertain future. Known as Concrete City, it gained its moniker from the robust concrete houses that marked an early example of tract housing. However, this architectural experiment in Pennsylvania, designed to create seemingly indestructible homes, ultimately resulted in eerie, abandoned ruins.
Referred to as “The Garden City of the Anthracite Region,” Concrete City aimed to offer modern housing for local coal mining employees. Amid various architectural approaches employed by coal companies in the early 1900s, this concrete venture stood out. The durable nature of these buildings, meant to withstand time, has left them standing as haunting remnants of Pennsylvania’s industrial past.
Constructed in the International Style architecture, popularized in the 1920s and 30s for its emphasis on simple, efficient design and optimal interior spaciousness, Concrete City stands out as a unique example. Built in 1911 its distinctive feature is that all its buildings were crafted from concrete.
Each of the 20 houses in Concrete City, available for a monthly rent of $8, boasted seven rooms and was specifically designated for higher-ranking workers such as foremen. The concrete residences were dispersed throughout a central courtyard, featuring amenities such as a pool, baseball field, and tennis courts.
The architectural trial faced its share of challenges. Porous walls led to condensation drips, causing residents’ clothing to freeze in their closets during winter. A more substantial concern was the absence of plumbing. Yet, the primary issue with these entirely concrete structures was the persistent dampness that most families moving in couldn’t overcome.
Beyond the eerie atmosphere of these now-deserted structures, a tragic incident occurred at the community wading pool, resulting in the death of a young boy.
However, the ultimate downfall of this community stemmed from the all-concrete…
