Centralia, Pennsylvania
In 1865, the town of Centralia was officially named after a previous name change from Centreville. Alexander Rae laid out streets and lots for development before the U.S. Post Office already had a Centreville in Schuylkill County. The first two mines opened in 1856, the Locust Run Mine and the Coal Ridge Mine. By 1890, the town reached its maximum population of 2,761 residents. At its peak, the town boasted seven churches, five hotels, and 27 saloons. A Philadelphia based sea captain named Stephen Girard purchased Morris' lands for $30,000 in 1798. He learned that there was anthracite coal in the region. The Lehigh and Mahanoy Railroad was constructed to Centralia in 1865. It enabled transport and expansion of Centralia's coal sales to markets in eastern Pennsylvania. In 1868, Alexander Rae was murdered in his buggy by members of the Molly Maguires on October 17. Three men were eventually convicted of his death and were hanged in Bloomsburg on the 25th of March 1878.
On the 27th of May 1962, firefighters set the dump on fire and let it burn for some time. Unlike previous years, the fire was not fully extinguished. An unsealed opening in the pit allowed the fire to enter the labyrinth of abandoned coal mines beneath Centralia. Statewide attention began to increase when a 12-year-old resident named Todd Domboski fell into a sinkhole on the 14th of February 1981. The hole was wide by deep and suddenly opened beneath his feet in his grandmother’s backyard. His cousin, 14-year-old Eric Wolfgang, pulled Domboski out of the hole to safety. The plume of hot steam billowing from the hole contained a lethal level of carbon monoxide. At the time of the sinkhole collapse, U.S. Rep. James Nelligan and Governor Dick Thornburgh were visiting the town to assess the area. In 1979, gas-station owner John Coddington inserted a dipstick into one of his underground tanks to check the fuel level. He discovered that the temperature of the gasoline in the tank was extremely high.
In 1983, the U.S. Congress allocated more than $42 million for relocation efforts. Nearly all of the residents accepted the government's buyout offers. More than 1,000 people moved out of the town and 500 structures were demolished. By 1990, the census recorded 63 remaining residents. Pennsylvania governor Bob Casey invoked eminent domain on all property in the borough in 1992. A subsequent legal effort by residents to overturn the action failed. In 2002, the U.S. Postal Service discontinued Centralia's ZIP code, 17927. Only 16 homes were still standing by 2006, which was reduced to eleven by 2009 when Governor Ed Rendell began the formal eviction of the remaining Centralia residents. Only five homes remained by 2010. In October 2013, the remaining residents settled their lawsuit, receiving $218,000 in compensation for the value of their homes. They also received $131,500 to settle additional claims. The agreement allowed them to stay in their homes until their deaths.
As of 2020, only five residents remain in the borough. Residents John Comarnisky and John Lokitis, Jr., were evicted in May and July 2009, respectively. The last remaining house on Locust Avenue was demolished in September 2007. It had been notable for a period for the five chimney-like support buttresses along each of two opposite sides of the house. The house had formerly been supported by a row of adjacent buildings. Another house with similar buttresses was visible from the northern side of the cemetery. The town's highest bill at the meeting reported on came from PPL Electric Utilities at $92. The town's budget was "in the black." Volunteers planted 250 apple trees around Centralia to restore the town's ecosystem and wildlife habitats in April 2021. The borough council still held regular meetings. The remaining church, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, remains in use and holds weekly services on Sundays.
Pennsylvania Route 61 was repaired several times until it was closed. Smoke and steam caused extensive cracking in the pavement, which led to frequent closure. The current route became a permanent route in 1993. The damaged portion of Route 61 was abandoned and became known as Graffiti Highway. Access berms were placed at both ends of the former route, effectively blocking off the area permanently to vehicular traffic. In April 2020, amidst the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, the property's current owners made the decision to cover over the graffiti on the highway section of old Route 61. Several hundred mounds of dirt were laid over the area, thus ending a decades-long fascination with the desolate stretch of road. Google Maps overhead satellite-view imagery copyright-dated 2023 shows the former Graffiti Highway almost entirely buried under hundreds of access-denial berms. Pedestrian traffic was still possible due to small openings about two feet wide at the northern and southern terminus of the abandoned stretch of road.
Centralia has been used as a model for many different fictional ghost towns and manifestations of Hell. Prominent examples include Dean Koontz's Strange Highways and David Wellington's Vampire Zero. Screenwriter Roger Avary researched Centralia while working on the screenplay for the Silent Hill film adaptation. While the movie took inspiration from Centralia, the original game series was not inspired by any town. The song "Perpetual Flame of Centralia" by Kristin Hayter is named after and inspired by the town. Her album Sinner Get Ready features this track. In 1966, a time capsule was buried in the town. After someone had attempted to unearth and steal it in May 2014, residents decided in October 2014 to open the capsule. Items found included a miner's helmet, a miner's lamp, some coal, a Bible, local souvenirs, and a pair of bloomers signed by the men of Centralia in 1966.
Common questions
When did the Centralia Pennsylvania fire start and what caused it?
The Centralia Pennsylvania fire started on the 27th of May 1962 when firefighters set a dump fire that was not fully extinguished. An unsealed opening in the pit allowed the fire to enter the labyrinth of abandoned coal mines beneath Centralia.
How many people live in Centralia Pennsylvania as of 2020?
As of 2020, only five residents remain in the borough of Centralia Pennsylvania. Residents John Comarnisky and John Lokitis Jr were evicted in May and July 2009 respectively leaving the current population.
Why was Centralia Pennsylvania abandoned by its residents?
Centralia Pennsylvania was abandoned because an underground mine fire starting in 1962 created sinkholes and lethal carbon monoxide plumes. The U.S. Congress allocated more than $42 million for relocation efforts in 1983 and Governor Bob Casey invoked eminent domain on all property in 1992.
What happened to Route 61 in Centralia Pennsylvania after the road cracked from heat?
Pennsylvania Route 61 became known as Graffiti Highway after smoke and steam caused extensive cracking in the pavement leading to frequent closure. Access berms were placed at both ends of the former route in April 2020 effectively blocking off the area permanently to vehicular traffic.
Who founded Centralia Pennsylvania and when did it reach peak population?
Alexander Rae laid out streets and lots for development before the town reached its maximum population of 2,761 residents by 1890. The Lehigh and Mahanoy Railroad was constructed to Centralia in 1865 enabling transport and expansion of coal sales.