In 1962, a coal mine fire began burning in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. By the 1980s, the cracking ground and smoldering soil had chased most of the residents away from Centralia, the town built over the mine. The town, once full of life, quickly became nearly abandoned. It was bought by the state of Pennsylvania and condemned in 1992. Even the zip code was discontinued. To this day, people flock to the area today to observe one of the creepiest places in the United States.
Centralia was once a busy mining town with around 2,000 residents.
Flickr / dfirecop
After the mine fire spread underneath the city in the 1980s, the town’s population fled.
Flickr / dfirecop Today, fewer than seven residents remain.
The ground here smokes and smolders, as the fire continues to rage on to this day.
Flickr / Angela Parriott
The inferno, which has burned continuously for decades, has turned Centralia into a ghost town.
Flickr / Melissa Forgotten items left behind, like these old newspapers, have been scorched and singed by the heat from the underground fire.
Centralia has been called the creepiest place in America; in fact, it’s so spooky that the video game and movie Silent Hill was based on the town.
Flickr / Angela Parriott
The most famous spot in the town is the cracked, steaming Graffiti Highway (also known as Rainbow Road).
Flickr / Alexa Graham
If you decide to visit Centralia, be cautious. Aside from the obvious fact that the fire is still actively burning, most of the city is on private property and you will be fined for trespassing.
Flickr / Melissa As the fire weakens the ground, sinkholes regularly cave in, and cracks in the structures make this a dangerous place to explore. Stay safe and live vicariously through these photos and take a spooky tour via this fascinating video about the spooky history of Centralia… if you dare.
For more information, check out our previous article about this unusual disaster in Centralia.
Flickr / dfirecop
Flickr / dfirecop
Today, fewer than seven residents remain.
Flickr / Angela Parriott
Flickr / Melissa
Forgotten items left behind, like these old newspapers, have been scorched and singed by the heat from the underground fire.
Flickr / Alexa Graham
As the fire weakens the ground, sinkholes regularly cave in, and cracks in the structures make this a dangerous place to explore. Stay safe and live vicariously through these photos and take a spooky tour via this fascinating video about the spooky history of Centralia… if you dare.
Centralia is located just about two hours northwest of Philadelphia, in Columbia County. If you’d rather stay nearby and explore creepy places within the city, you’ll love these 7 Cemeteries Around Philadelphia That Will Give You Goosebumps
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
