Metal venting tubes dot the landscape here, but little can be seen of the active fire on most days. Can’t say I’ve ever heard that story before. There are so many vulgarer, trash, and disrespectful things out there. (Update: The time capsule was removed and opened in May 2014 after vandals dug it up.). 1980s: As the result of a study on how best to address the underground fire, more than 1,000 Centralia residents are moved out in a $42 million federal relocation program. While it might be one of Pennsylvania’s least likely and least publicized tourist attractions, a visit to Centralia, PA is definitely worthwhile. However, I know that a lot of money was spent trying to put the fire out. Would like to do it again soon. One of the three house ( I just found out) belonged to last mayor of Centralia (Carl Womer ) . Everybody’s been requesting that something get done.". I also like to the Odd Fellow cemetery since I read the fire started near there and that if you stood there you could the steam. The smallest municipality in the Keystone State, Centralia, Pennsylvania, is a former mining community located about two hours northwest of Philadelphia. Say a prayer for those interred in the cemeteries, and for those who still live there. Note: As of early April 2020, Graffiti Highway has sadly be destroyed thanks to the tourism mismanagement in the area. Recommend goin. We saw no smoke. Awesome to see the old steps etc and we wanted to check in out a little later during the winter to see the snow melted on the “hot-spots” up on the hill. Looking for other things to do near Centralia, PA? Bobby Hughes, an officer of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation which is spearheading a movement to plant trees across the old town, said he believes the landfill operation will be beneficial for the area, which he said his volunteers crews have spent recent years picking up countless spray paint cans, tires and other trash. I didn’t see the trailer there though, I wonder if they tore it down. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Years ago one could feel the heat up to the knees when walking near the cemetery. Literally the only way the fire could be extinguished involves stripping the entire mountaintop and uncovering the entire seam of anthracite in question. Don’t walk on the graves? Thank you in advance. My boyfriend, my sister and I tried to catch the third one but it ran away. What you have failed to mention is that residents have been forced to move by the government, claiming right of way (if I remember correctly). They response I got from them was extremely disconcerting – and I know these people on a first name basis as I am involved in politics. I feel sorry for all the residents of the town and understand there dislike of the bureaucratic system. Centralia PA. Martha, you are wrong, Jim Cheney is correct. We were the only ones on it. William Zeigler (1837 – 1905)* April 6, 2020: Pagnotti Enterprises buries “Graffiti Highway” under truckloads of dirt due to concerns about liability as more tourists visit the area during the coronavirus epidemic. Snow covered ground, graffiti showing through in some areas. 2010: Seven remaining residents file a lawsuit seeking to block condemnation of their properties. It is burning in underground coal mines at depths of up to 300 feet (90 m) over an 8-mile (13 km) stretch of 3,700 acres (15 km 2). On the “Centralia Graffiti HIghway” Facebook page, which boasted 676 members as of Monday evening, sentiment ran more on the side of mourning what some saw as a cool memorial to the memory of Centralia, the Columbia County community that was effectively turned into a ghost town by an underground mine fire that started in 1962. Didn’t make it but every summer since…. They DID pour water and dig ditches around the fire – problem was it was just too big by the time they realized they had a problem (almost 20 years burning.) The strip of asphalt got its latter-day name because of messages and art that have been placed on the surface since its closure. PennDOT, after determining that the ground would never again be used for a highway, relinquished its right-of-way in 2018 allowing ownership to revert to adjacent property owners, the largest of which is a Pagnotti subsidiary known as Pitreal Coal. My mom’s side of the family were Gaughen-her maiden name/Laughlin-her married name. All we can say is if you have never been there and tried their hard ice cream you are missing out. Lots of 4 wheelers. However, at a minimum and out of common courtesy, it’s a good idea to avoid the maintained area directly adjacent to their homes. If someone can tell me of a few places I would love to go and take pictures and may of them. In this case, that was mostly the Pitreal Corp., a subsidiary of Pagnotti Enterprises of Wilkes-Barre. A mobile home park sprung up in the area of the fire, because the mobile homes could be moved if necessary. The Odd Fellows cemetery is across the street from the St. Ignatius and the entrance to the “Graffiti Highway.” You have to go down the street a bit and then it is off to the left. Find a unique place to stay in the Susquehanna Region on Airbnb! By 1990, only 63 residents remained and by 2012, there were only 10 people left in Centralia. Sickens me how people do stuff like that. However, the fire necessitated such frequent and expensive repairs to the road, that Route 61 was permanently rerouted around the area in 1994. The Columbia County Sheriff Dept has jurisdiction of Centralia. I wrote a novel on Centralia, PA (Centralia PA, Devils Fire) and have done a lot of research on other mine fires in that area. You are correct Sabrina, I live 3 miles away from Centralia and can assure you, the fire is still burning. Residents were able to make a deal. However, those that decide to visit Centralia’s Graffiti Highway are in for a treat because this is the best area to see the destructive power of the fire below. the Luzerne County-based company that took title to the land several years ago. What will happen to the cemeteries after all the residents are gone and the government takes over? Agreed. The borough itself counts 8 residents at this point, Hynoski said, scattered among five households. The fire has impacted other communities, as well. I live in Bloomsburg, not far from Centralia. Charles Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com. With all the time that has passed, I don’t remember the exact subject of the story, but obviously fire related. I have been on 61, before it was re-routed, when you’d drive on it with smoke all around you, wondering if your car would sink. I wrote a novel, Centralia PA, Devils Fire (Amazon) that depicts with historical accuracy the history of Centralia and combines the fantasy of demons in the mines (metaphorical representations of the mining companies and mine owners.) It subsequently becomes covered in graffiti and known as “Graffiti Highway”. Pennsylvania, USA, Created by: RoadRunner I don’t know when the last post was made but it is July, 16, 2017 today. I’ve seen a before and after video on youtube. Tourist support local business. A year or two later we were saddened to see a few more homes were demolished…Of course no pics. I do plan a return evening visit so I can take some photos. I remember it was eerie, with all the boarded up homes, smoke rising from the ground. , Elysburg is very close, and with Knoebels Grove Amusement park there I am sure there are places to stay. Such a shame what happened. Sadly most of the town is gone, but I still think it’s a fascinating place to visit. Seriously? I had no idea that there were other mine fires that were burning in PA. As of today only 4 occupied houses left and one vacant home and business. In some areas the ground did felt a little warm. Made for some really cool pictures. Saint Ignatius Cemetery and Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery are the ones on the left. So sad people have no respect! Centralia thanks for the article!! FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises from the ground in this general view of Centralia, Pennsylvania on Jan. 26, 1983 where an uncontrolled, 20-year-old underground mine fire is … On Sept. 18, 2003, the Centralia ZIP code — 17927 — ceased to exist. With the population down to about 50, then-Gov. Property values in nearby Mt. they were patrolling thou but only to aid if need be. I’ve always wanted to go to Centralia so my sons and I just stopped there on our way back home from a college visit at Bloomsburg on 3/27/17. The land behind Odd Fellows Cemetery is where the fire is thought to have started. We walked by the church, there’s a nice little garden behind it and farther up a trail I think there were bee hives. Find A Grave Memorial# 156057134. I don’t know or do I ever understand why people would litter?

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