Centralia

Centralia is a ghost town in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, that became uninhabitable due to an underground coal fire. The abandoned streets show empty lots, demolished structures, and steam vents releasing gases from the fire that has burned since the early 1960s.

The settlement emerged in the 19th century as a mining community and reached its largest population near the end of that century with several thousand people. A fire that began at a dump site in the early 1960s spread into the coal seams beneath the town and forced nearly all residents to relocate.

The empty landscape attracted artists and filmmakers who found material here for horror movies and video games. The few remaining residents live among the smoke plumes and memories of a lost community, while travelers often leave graffiti on abandoned road sections.

Travelers should keep away from steam vents and unstable ground areas, as the fire beneath the surface remains active. Most buildings were demolished, so only a few structures and grassy lots remain visible, while the roads are mostly still accessible.

The underground coal fire burns through multiple coal seams and could continue for over a century more. The zip code for the town was officially revoked, though a few residents have chosen to stay in their homes.

Location: Columbia County

Inception: 1841

Elevation above the sea: 447 m

Part of: Coal Region

Shares border with: Conyngham Township

Website: http://centraliapa.com

GPS coordinates: 40.80333,-76.34167

Latest update: December 18, 2025 16:34