The open-pit Scotia iron-ore mines in Centre County, near Penn State and State College, once were operated by Andrew Carnegie. Mining ended in 1913, except for a very brief revival during World War 2; see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotia,_Pennsylvania
The thin, sandy soil loses its daytime heat quickly, so night-time temperatures can drop significantly below temperatures in State College.
http://climate.met.psu.edu/features/barrens/
http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=496&q=166225 (search in the page for "Scotia")