From Forest City to Glen Lyon, an Anthracite Curtain has descended across northeastern Pennsylvania. Behind the Anthracite Curtain : The molding of a region to serve the coal barons and its devastating effect on generations to come. Why , in 2004, is Scranton, Pa still a run-down low-wage, dwindling, technologically backward, poverty and ignorance plagued backwoods town? It is only 120 miles from New York City and Philadelphia, yet it has little industry or major corporate presence.