Demolition Brings Down Paper Mill

CATI KEITH, Editor | Dec 24, 20250

A controlled demolition brought down the tallest remaining section of the former Appvion paper mill in Roaring Spring last Friday, surprising some residents who were unaware the work was scheduled.

Borough Council President and Friendship Fire Company Chief Jim Musselman confirmed the collapse was intentional.

“It was a controlled drop,” Musselman said, noting the demolition crew has used similar methods on other portions of the sprawling mill complex. “But this section was the largest.”

Video of the demolition circulated online shortly after the collapse, prompting speculation from some viewers who wondered whether high winds or an accident caused the structure to fall.

In the video, the camera focuses on the building for roughly 40 seconds before the structure gives way, followed by a thick cloud of beige dust spreading across the site.

The footage shows a track hoe operator triggering the collapse by pulling on a chain or cable attached to at least one corner post of the building. The building’s center columns had already been cut away, which was evident because the lower sheathing had been removed. As the operator extended the machine’s bucket and then pulled back while reversing, the near column on the left failed, causing the structure to topple leftward into a heap.

Immediately after the collapse, observers gathered in the parking lot above the site along Main Street could be heard honking car horns and cheering, reacting to the dramatic fall of the long-standing industrial landmark.

Borough officials contacted shortly after the demolition initially were unsure what had occurred, but Musselman later clarified the situation.

“They’re trying to get it down as quickly and safely as possible,” he said. “They need it down and cleaned up to do something with it.”

The Appvion paper mill closed in 2021. After the shutdown, efforts were made to find a buyer who would reuse the massive structure, but those attempts were unsuccessful. Demolition work began in early 2023, and at that time there was discussion about potentially redeveloping the site into a recreational complex, an idea that appears to have since been abandoned.

Demolition activity was paused during an ownership transition in late 2024 and early 2025, but work has resumed steadily in recent months. According to Musselman, there are parties interested in investing in the property once the site is cleared, though no formal plans have been announced.