A fire has destroyed the historic Neale Mansion

This perhaps is more a story for my local readers in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania..

According to the Pottsville REPUBLICAN HERALD today, firefighters were called to he Neale Mansion in Foster Twp.. The paper does not yet have specifics as to the totality of the fire, but the word ‘destroy’ in the headline is enough to cause me to think it’s a loss..

This photo is from the newspaper: 

This would make the destruction of a house with historic appeal—and controversial appeal over the past few years.

James B. Neale was a coal baron who, according to books about him, was generous and took care of children from the area.. There are some very positive stories about Neale and idyllic goals.. James Neale was one of those coal barons who did little evil. . as a matter of fact, as the book "The Great Chance" explained, he wanted coal miners to be well housed, healthy, and sanitary, and educated. 

People have long ventured into the area to snap photos of the expansive and amazing mansion..

The mansion itself was subject to years worth of controversy. In 2008, the owners wanted to bar demolition of the mansion.... In 2010, Foster Twp asked a judge to allow work on the mansion. In 2012, it was officially sold.

In 2014: It’s burned to the ground..

Sad day for those who love history, and those who long cherished the ideals set forth by one of the few honest coal barons of that day, James Neale..