Centralia (Ghost Town)

If you're in the area and looking for an eerie place to blow off some stream (pun intended), Centralia is certainly worth a look. Not much of the original town remains, but if you show up at the right time, particularly in the fall and winter), you won't have any problem seeing the steam billowing out from the huge cracks in the old road. It's crazy to stand there and realize that there's a fire under your feet that will probably continue burning long after you're gone. If you check it out, just remember not to stick your face in the steam - it's toxic!

Centralia was also the inspiration for the town of Valkenvania in the movie "Nothing but Trouble."

There really isn't much to see in Centralia. There are a number of vents that have ruptured through the ground, but I highly HIGHLY recommend you avoid seeking them out unless you know which areas to avoid; as, there are areas where the ground is unstable, and precipices have been known to open up. Your best bet is to take Route 61 N out of Ashland, PA. Eventually, you will come to a sharp curve in the road, and you will see diagonal yellow lines painted between the parallel lines that divide the lanes. Off to the right, the shoulder of the road becomes broader. You can park there. If you look directly north you will see a dirt mound on the other side of the road. If you cross you will see the destroyed portion of Route 61. It is safe to walk on this road up to the town, and it's quite an eerie experience. About a half a mile up the road you will see the steam vents from the mine fire.

That's pretty much all there is to see. Most of the structures have been demolished, and the town itself is mostly just field with dilapidated roads running through it. Nevertheless, the town has an interesting history. Part of the saga of the Molly MaGuires played out here. The story of the mine fire itself is actually quite interesting. I recommend reading "Unseen Danger: A Tragedy of People, Government, and the Centralia Mine Fire" by David DeKok. He details how the fire was found, reported to authorities, and how the entire tragedy could have been prevented.

If you're in the area, and looking for adventure, I'd skip Centralia. Instead head up to Jim Thorpe, PA, and check out the old Carbon County Prison and the Asa Packer Mansion. Cheers!

silent hill was inspired by this town

I've been to Centralia several times in my life (pretty standard since I live in PA). The last time I went, I was quite disappointed. The buildings I'd remembered were long gone. The Highway is always a treat, but the rest of Centralia was just disappointing. If you've never been, it's definitely worth a look, but not if you're coming from far away. I always recommend going in the fall/winter because it's easier to find the smoke leaks.

Unfortunately, there's not too much to see in the summer. No smoke was visible at all when we visited in August...just empty roads with grassy areas in between. The locals told us that the fire has moved away and isn't too smokey anymore. Oh well, still enjoying poking around! Will have to come back when it's cold outside.

Reminds me of Silent Hill

It's gone. We went and its completely covered up. It's destroyed

In April 2020 the graffiti highway was covered with large mounds of dirt in order to deter the types of crowds it was attracting.m, many of whom were disrespecting the area and the handful of residents who remain living there. It’s still a cool historical stop but a bummer that a few idiots had to ruin it for the rest of us. 🙄

It has been covered up. Nothing left to see as of July 2020.

Don’t waste your time. The current owner has covered the graffiti highway with mounds of dirt. You can no longer see it.