GIRARDVILLE, Pa. – Like coal buried beneath the ground, it can be difficult to find. Girardville measures a mere square mile. But the fading coal town’s crown jewel — attracting presidents, union leaders and droves of Irish and Irish at heart from across ... See more
Second of two parts (Read Part One here ) Not every dying town can be saved. Girardville , a shell of itself in Schuylkill County coal country, could go either way. Will something new rise from the coal dust? Or will Girardville continue its descent — a c... See more
RealClearPennsylvania February 17, 2026 Archives RealClearPennsylvania AM Update PA Town Struggles to Conquer the Curse of Coal John Luciew PennLive 10 (New) Thoughts on Downtown Pittsburgh Brandon McGinley Post-Gazette Fewer Lancaster County Amish Voted ... See more
From glory days to going bust. Girardville’s nearly 200-year timeline reads like a rollercoaster of ups and downs. But the future of this tiny Schuylkill County coal town remains very much in doubt. 1830 — Stephen Girard buys vast coal-rich lands The Phil... See more
About Trailblazers and Trendsetters As the nation celebrates Black History Month, PennLive, for the fourth year, is recognizing men and women making a difference in central Pennsylvania. Throughout the month, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Human Rel... See more
