Former mining towns: Treece, Cardin and Picher
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Abandoned homes in Cardin, Okla. Toxins from mining waste have made the area unsafe for habitation.
An inspirational message on a church sign across the street from abandoned homes in Cardin, Okla. Toxins from mining waste have made the area unsafe for habitation.
Abandoned homes in Cardin, Okla. Toxins from mining waste have made the area unsafe for habitation.
An abandoned home in Cardin, Okla.
Abandoned homes in Cardin, Okla. Toxins from mining waste have made the area unsafe for habitation.
Toxic mine tailings between Cardin and Picher, Okla.
The section of Picher, Okla., that was struck by a tornado in May 2008. The town was already being abandoned due to toxins from mining waste when the tornado hit, killing several people.
Lee Kindle struggles to salvage Ron Thompson's wrecked pickup truck in the section of Picher, Okla., that was devastated by a tornado in May 2008. .
Ron Thompson and his daughter Paige stand on what used to be the front porch of Ron's grandmother's house in Picher, Okla. This section of town was devastated by a tornado in May 2008.
Ron Thompson and his daughter Paige stand on what used to be the front porch of Ron's grandmother's house in Picher, Okla. This section of town was devastated by a tornado in May 2008.
A sign created by fifth-grade student Janessa Cruzan warns of the danger of drinking tap water in Picher, Okla. The area has been made uninhabitable due to toxins from mining waste.
The city hall of Treece, Kansas. The town is being abandoned because toxic mine waste has made it unsafe for habitation.
Mining’s Legacy
Video interview
Geologist Jim McCauley
Photo slideshow
"A bad way to make a living"
Video interview
Former miner Walter Wettstein
Photo gallery
A landscape transformed
Video interview
Dave Drake, EPA project manager
Photo gallery
A tale of two cities
Video interview
Picher resident Jon Finn
Video
River City Weekly
Video interview
Treece Mayor Bill Blunk
Video interview
Senator Pat Roberts
Video interview
Representative Doug Gatewood