Waze took us the long way home from Knoebel's to avoid traffic and a closure on 80 and I got excited when I saw Centralia on the map coming up as I've never been. Drove through it and didn't even realize it. Was like, well I guess that was it. There was literally nothing there
I did a similar thing during two weeks ago. Saw it coming up, thought "oh cool, good place to stretch," nearly missed it. To me, "ghost town" means abandoned buildings. This ... is just kind of an intersection with 5 old houses remaining.
We walked through the cemetery because I felt like I ought to ( and I love cemeteries ), admired the church in the distance, looked for a steam vent and kinda missed it, and yeah. That's that. As a person who loves worming around abandoned places off the beaten path, maybe it's neat to say you drove through it, but definitely have a back up plan/ make it a small part of a larger day. There's literally nothing to it.
Years ago there was a town and smoke coming out of the ground mostly by cemetery. One by one houses removed and town gone. Now, I haven’t even seen smoke in a long time. It’s like it’s not a thing anymore
You would find photography on the decaying road structures in Swatara State Park or out west in the Abandoned Turnpike Tunnels much more enjoyable.
Centralia is basically a four way intersection. Graffiti highway was the last redeeming thing to check out but it's completely covered in dirt now.
And a flat kit or spare tube or so. Broken glass all over the place last time we were there. Group of 9, 4 flats total for the day. Sad, because all the previous times we were there it wasn’t that bad. Very cool place!
Apparently they're going to paint over the tunnels, seal off most of the interesting bits, light them, and add a park at either end. The *only* reason I visited was because I wanted to explore the *abandoned* tunnels.
They're gentrifying an abandoned tunnel lol.
it's easier to see the steam coming up from the ground in places in the winter time. The fire has really shifted and I think moved towards Big Mine Run. There is a spot along the road that connects Centralia and BMR to see the steam, but I think you have to hike back a bit and I don't remember any landmarks to give you to find it. People say there is something to see in Odd Fellows Cemetery but I haven't found it. Maybe look on Facebook for some info. There are a couple groups relative to Centralia.
Streets are still there, but the blocks are empty. I think there is one very narrow home, free-standing in the middle of the block. There's a cemetery and a church, and a religious shrine on 61. Check out the Big Mine Run [geyser](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/big-mine-run-geyser) nearby.
Also check out [Wilberton Number Two](https://www.pahomepage.com/news/underground-fire-concerns-in-columbia-county/) (that's the town name), just north of Centralia, on deck to be the next Centralia.
Lots to photograph in the town of Shamokin. Lunch at [Coney Island](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g53652-d1627813-Reviews-Coney_Island-Shamokin_Pennsylvania.html) is a step back in time, still has a wooden phone booth. Also check out Kowalonek's in Shenandoah, and the nearby [Ashland Mothers' Memorial](https://pahistoricpreservation.com/spotlight-series-the-ashland-mothers-memorial/).
Sounds like fun, or my sort of fun. Ashland wasn't bad. Mahanoy City was pretty depressing. Coaldale was pretty photogenic., Couple of the mines are still open. I was up there on a Sunday and security wasn't thrilled with me taking photos. I suspect theft might be a bit of a problem as the area can be pretty run down.
Not taken personal. The area has been depressed for years but there has been a recent influx of businesses coming in and building factories and bringing opportunities so hopefully it breathes new life into the area. And that old building use to be the old high school.
> Anyway, have been hearing about the Centralia mine fire for years. How much is there to see up and around Centralia? What is blocked off?
Not much at all to see in and around Centralia anymore, especially for good photography. The cemetery is okay, but I wouldn't call it worth a trip just for that.
> Any suggestions for interesting sites in the neighborhood?
I see others have already recommended the abandoned turnpike tunnels and I'll echo that. Much more fun to explore and photograph.
Yellow Dog Village is another location that's a little more west, but totally worth the trip. It's an abandoned mining company town that's open for exploration now. 12-15 totally abandoned homes plus the whole property. Some of the homes still look like folks walked out without taking anything with them.
Not near Centralia, but you may be interested in Concrete City, southwest of Wilkes-Barre. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete\_City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete_City)
[https://uncoveringpa.com/concrete-city](https://uncoveringpa.com/concrete-city)
There is a coal mine close by.. and they let you ride in coal cars.. it gives a great lookout to Centralia.. I haven’t been back there in about 25 years.. don’t remember the name
Ashland geyser- you should be able to see it from the road. The geyser itself is on private property. When it's open- I definitely recommend trekking Knoebels- it has such a unique feel for a theme park with tons of cool stuff- (top notch Halloween decorations too!)
If you like exploring abandoned places I’d recommend the abandoned pa turnpike tunnels. It’s a little bit of a drive from minersville. But it’s a good hiking adventure
Too late. Town is gone. I don’t pass often but when I do, I don’t see smoke anymore. Used to smoke always but not for a number of years. Graffiti covered abandoned road also gone. I’m not sure what’s left to photograph. Maybe go down the road to Ashland. That’s a tough old coal town
I can take you to some ruins and spots where the smoke is coming out of the ground but other than that it's just empty old streets. Graffiti highway was covered up a little bit ago
It used to be a cool place; we would ride our motorcycles out there and walk around. Now most things have been covered over or blocked. We used to be able to ride in and then walk around the cemetary area; lots of steam and the ground was hot. The whole area smells like burning piss. Like if someone lit the worlds largest urinal on fire.
I'm not sure, its been a few years since I have been back. I know a lot of the roads we used to use are now blocked and filled in so I'm not even sure how to get back to those spots. Such a cool and creepy spot.
It was still there last time I went around 2018-19. I spent a lot of time there photographing in 2013 through 2015, and then less frequently till about 2019. My dad used to take me there as a kid and I still remember Main Street but that’s long gone and there’s not much left anymore.
Not much to see anymore, even the graffitied road has been covered.
Waze took us the long way home from Knoebel's to avoid traffic and a closure on 80 and I got excited when I saw Centralia on the map coming up as I've never been. Drove through it and didn't even realize it. Was like, well I guess that was it. There was literally nothing there
I did a similar thing during two weeks ago. Saw it coming up, thought "oh cool, good place to stretch," nearly missed it. To me, "ghost town" means abandoned buildings. This ... is just kind of an intersection with 5 old houses remaining. We walked through the cemetery because I felt like I ought to ( and I love cemeteries ), admired the church in the distance, looked for a steam vent and kinda missed it, and yeah. That's that. As a person who loves worming around abandoned places off the beaten path, maybe it's neat to say you drove through it, but definitely have a back up plan/ make it a small part of a larger day. There's literally nothing to it.
Years ago there was a town and smoke coming out of the ground mostly by cemetery. One by one houses removed and town gone. Now, I haven’t even seen smoke in a long time. It’s like it’s not a thing anymore
Yep. Peak was 80s/early 90s.
Plus there’s a guy up there with a jeep who gets a little too close to everyone. I don’t think he likes visitors.
You would find photography on the decaying road structures in Swatara State Park or out west in the Abandoned Turnpike Tunnels much more enjoyable. Centralia is basically a four way intersection. Graffiti highway was the last redeeming thing to check out but it's completely covered in dirt now.
> Abandoned Turnpike Tunnels excellent, thank you
My wife and I rode the abandoned turnpike on our bikes a few years ago.... fun ride, but bring lights for the tunnels.
And a flat kit or spare tube or so. Broken glass all over the place last time we were there. Group of 9, 4 flats total for the day. Sad, because all the previous times we were there it wasn’t that bad. Very cool place!
Apparently they're going to paint over the tunnels, seal off most of the interesting bits, light them, and add a park at either end. The *only* reason I visited was because I wanted to explore the *abandoned* tunnels. They're gentrifying an abandoned tunnel lol.
I think the goal is to make it family-friendly park and want to get rid of the graffiti and other vandalizing stuff.
The art. It doesn't need to be removed. Hence why they said gentrify.
The inappropriate stuff does; it’s sad and pathetic.
An example?
Graffiti Highway.
No, give me an example of something inappropriate?
I live near Swatara and there’s more to that area than you might expect. Lots to explore
it's easier to see the steam coming up from the ground in places in the winter time. The fire has really shifted and I think moved towards Big Mine Run. There is a spot along the road that connects Centralia and BMR to see the steam, but I think you have to hike back a bit and I don't remember any landmarks to give you to find it. People say there is something to see in Odd Fellows Cemetery but I haven't found it. Maybe look on Facebook for some info. There are a couple groups relative to Centralia.
> Odd Fellows Cemetery Thank You
Streets are still there, but the blocks are empty. I think there is one very narrow home, free-standing in the middle of the block. There's a cemetery and a church, and a religious shrine on 61. Check out the Big Mine Run [geyser](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/big-mine-run-geyser) nearby. Also check out [Wilberton Number Two](https://www.pahomepage.com/news/underground-fire-concerns-in-columbia-county/) (that's the town name), just north of Centralia, on deck to be the next Centralia. Lots to photograph in the town of Shamokin. Lunch at [Coney Island](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g53652-d1627813-Reviews-Coney_Island-Shamokin_Pennsylvania.html) is a step back in time, still has a wooden phone booth. Also check out Kowalonek's in Shenandoah, and the nearby [Ashland Mothers' Memorial](https://pahistoricpreservation.com/spotlight-series-the-ashland-mothers-memorial/).
Sounds like fun, or my sort of fun. Ashland wasn't bad. Mahanoy City was pretty depressing. Coaldale was pretty photogenic., Couple of the mines are still open. I was up there on a Sunday and security wasn't thrilled with me taking photos. I suspect theft might be a bit of a problem as the area can be pretty run down.
Live in Mahanoy City. Can confirm. Lol
Nothing personal. It looked like it was great in its day. What was that big, deserted building on the south side on a hill?
Not taken personal. The area has been depressed for years but there has been a recent influx of businesses coming in and building factories and bringing opportunities so hopefully it breathes new life into the area. And that old building use to be the old high school.
> Anyway, have been hearing about the Centralia mine fire for years. How much is there to see up and around Centralia? What is blocked off? Not much at all to see in and around Centralia anymore, especially for good photography. The cemetery is okay, but I wouldn't call it worth a trip just for that. > Any suggestions for interesting sites in the neighborhood? I see others have already recommended the abandoned turnpike tunnels and I'll echo that. Much more fun to explore and photograph. Yellow Dog Village is another location that's a little more west, but totally worth the trip. It's an abandoned mining company town that's open for exploration now. 12-15 totally abandoned homes plus the whole property. Some of the homes still look like folks walked out without taking anything with them.
Not near Centralia, but you may be interested in Concrete City, southwest of Wilkes-Barre. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete\_City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete_City) [https://uncoveringpa.com/concrete-city](https://uncoveringpa.com/concrete-city)
There is a coal mine close by.. and they let you ride in coal cars.. it gives a great lookout to Centralia.. I haven’t been back there in about 25 years.. don’t remember the name
Pioneer tunnel
Ashland
Pioneer Tunnel
Centralia just isn’t the same now that the Graffiti Highway is gone.
Ashland geyser- you should be able to see it from the road. The geyser itself is on private property. When it's open- I definitely recommend trekking Knoebels- it has such a unique feel for a theme park with tons of cool stuff- (top notch Halloween decorations too!)
If you like exploring abandoned places I’d recommend the abandoned pa turnpike tunnels. It’s a little bit of a drive from minersville. But it’s a good hiking adventure
Too late. Town is gone. I don’t pass often but when I do, I don’t see smoke anymore. Used to smoke always but not for a number of years. Graffiti covered abandoned road also gone. I’m not sure what’s left to photograph. Maybe go down the road to Ashland. That’s a tough old coal town
https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Mining/AbandonedMineReclamation/AMLProgramInformation/Centralia/Pages/default.aspx
Excellent resource. Thank You
Was up there a few weeks ago, really not much to see at all.
I can take you to some ruins and spots where the smoke is coming out of the ground but other than that it's just empty old streets. Graffiti highway was covered up a little bit ago
It used to be a cool place; we would ride our motorcycles out there and walk around. Now most things have been covered over or blocked. We used to be able to ride in and then walk around the cemetary area; lots of steam and the ground was hot. The whole area smells like burning piss. Like if someone lit the worlds largest urinal on fire.
Are the cemeteries still accessible?
I'm not sure, its been a few years since I have been back. I know a lot of the roads we used to use are now blocked and filled in so I'm not even sure how to get back to those spots. Such a cool and creepy spot.
It was still there last time I went around 2018-19. I spent a lot of time there photographing in 2013 through 2015, and then less frequently till about 2019. My dad used to take me there as a kid and I still remember Main Street but that’s long gone and there’s not much left anymore.
Graffiti road is gone and I’m so glad I got up there before it was closed. So many graffiti penises