I was just going to post that there were many examples of these types of boom towns in western PA... but then I saw that you're living up around Pymatuning (my favorite lake, and I envy you for being able to live up there considering how few good jobs there are), so I guess you know that already. People often think of deserted boom towns being out west, but PA has had its share of them.
More Santa Fe Trail - from the Oklahoma panhandle. We couldn't see the tracks on the ground but if you look at it on Google Earth, they are easily visible.
If you get over here be sure to let me know. If you are secure in your masculinity, you can camp out in my wife's sewing room.
I was within 10 miles of the grave last week but it got dark before I Could get there... Thanks for this...nice marker..most impressive. I will eventually make it there and to the site of the original grave on Pryor Creek. LnN
That's for sure, and it's still happening... Pithole went from nothing to a town of over 10,000 back to nothing in a little over a year, pretty amazing when you think about it. The same thing is happening to most of the towns and cities that was built around the oil industry, it's just taken a little longer.
I read an article from 1934 that stated the remains of Pryor's cabin were still in existence. Looking at google earth and old topo maps, and based on my recollections, I believe his cabin and original gravesite were about here: 36*15'19" 95*16'31" Enter from State Highway 69A on the dirt road that runs north along the railroad. Go about 1/2 mile north (you'll have to go through a low water crossing of Pryor Creek), then turn east for 1/4 mile or so. It's on USCOE land so access shouldn't be a problem.
Thx for the coordinates...And detail directions...I will definitely be heading there in better weather..the original sites are important to me, so I will be checking out the Pryor cabin and Pryor Creek. I have been to all the L & C member grave markers except Pryors, and Willard's (his is in Sacramento,Ca). FYI: the little round marker in your picture of Pryor's grave is on all the gravesites of Expedition members.
I Haven't read all of this thread yet but what I have I have enjoyed very much, thanks to all who have posted. Here are a few of my own from Europe. Cornwall, UK Dolomite mountains, Italy Normandy, France Citation: He was a member of Company C, 325th Glider Infantry, on 9 June 1944 advancing with the forward platoon to secure a bridgehead across the Merderet River at La Fiere, France. At dawn the platoon had penetrated an outer line of machineguns and riflemen, but in so doing had become cut off from the rest of the company. Vastly superior forces began a decimation of the stricken unit and put in motion a flanking maneuver which would have completely exposed the American platoon in a shallow roadside ditch where it had taken cover. Detecting this danger, Pfc. DeGlopper volunteered to support his comrades by fire from his automatic rifle while they attempted a withdrawal through a break in a hedgerow 40 yards to the rear. Scorning a concentration of enemy automatic weapons and rifle fire, he walked from the ditch onto the road in full view of the Germans, and sprayed the hostile positions with assault fire. He was wounded, but he continued firing. Struck again, he started to fall; and yet his grim determination and valiant fighting spirit could not be broken. Kneeling in the roadway, weakened by his grievous wounds, he leveled his heavy weapon against the enemy and fired burst after burst until killed outright. He was successful in drawing the enemy action away from his fellow soldiers, who continued the fight from a more advantageous position and established the first bridgehead over the Merderet. In the area where he made his intrepid stand his comrades later found the ground strewn with dead Germans and many machineguns and automatic weapons which he had knocked out of action. Pfc. DeGlopper's gallant sacrifice and unflinching heroism while facing unsurmountable odds were in great measure responsible for a highly important tactical victory in the Normandy Campaign. Northern Spain Devon, UK
For details, use this excellent site from CBC. The Mont Blanc Cannon isn't far from my house. http://www.cbc.ca/halifaxexplosion/ Now, a little further away in Boston, Mass. The Christmas tree at the Commons is a Nova Scotia tree donated every year as thanks for much needed assistance immedialtely following the explosion (took this a few years ago during a blizzard). http://canadaonline.about.com/b/2012/11/22/nova-scotia-thanks-boston-with-a-christmas-tree.htm
Tim really interesting more if you've got it. We in the US never hear of much of the heroism from WWII.