Pennsylvania is a historically and culturally rich state with abundant natural beauty. Secrets lie in its vacuous spaces. While the Eastern State Penitentiary and the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike are well-known ghost towns, Centralia is a lesser-known ghost town with a spooky tale of its own.
The Town of Centralia is on Fire
Established in 1866 in Pennsylvania’s Columbia County, Centralia prospered as a coal mining town. The town was home to more than a thousand people during its busiest. There were stores, schools, churches, and a fire station there. However, an underground fire that is still burning hot today began in 1962 when a fire broke out in a dump close to an old mine pit.
The fire caused sections of the ground to collapse, spewed poisonous fumes, and split the earth. Many attempts were made, however none of them succeeded in extinguishing the fire. Health issues among the residents included headaches, illness, and breathing difficulties. Some reported feeling the heat in their shoes and saw smoke and flames coming from the ground. In 1981, 12-year-old Todd Domboski was in his garden when he was sucked in by a sinkhole. It was discovered to be 150 feet below the surface, with extremely deadly levels of hot steam and carbon monoxide.
Centralia: A Land of No One
Following widespread media coverage of the combustible situation in Centralia, the government intervened to assist citizens in moving. In 1984, Congress approved $42 million to purchase homes and relocate people to safer areas. While some residents disagreed, the majority did. Pennsylvania outlawed the town in 1992 and seized it through eminent domain. The surviving occupants were allowed to stay until their deaths in 2013 following a protracted legal battle, although they were no longer able to use city services or own property. There will be five persons living in Centralia in 2020.
Centralia is now a ghost town, with just the natural remnants of its streets and homes remaining. It is anticipated that the underground fire will continue for another 250 years at this rate. Urban explorers, graffiti artists, and anyone with an interest in fascinating locations are drawn to the town’s distinctive characteristics, like the Graffiti Highway, a section of Route 61 covered in graffiti. However, the ground is unstable, the air is contaminated, and there are police checks, so entering Centralia is still risky.
In the End, a Legacy in Ashes
Although Centralia is little known, it has a tragic and intriguing history. The majority of the town’s residents were forced to evacuate as the uncontrollable fire destroyed the town. In this abandoned town, there are a few individuals with strong opinions. A stirring cautionary tale about the perils of coal mining and the resilience of the human spirit is Centralia. It’s interesting to learn about the history of this place.