In recent years, the popularity of the destination, which is sometimes called "gloomy tourism", has increased. It includes visits to abandoned and infamous places on the planet. One of the most interesting cities to visit - Centralia - is located in Pennsylvania.
History of the city
The history of the city begins in 1854, when a mining engineer named Alexander chooses a place to build the city. Active construction began, mines were explored, people gradually came. Infrastructure development was not long in coming: schools, shops, hospitals, even theaters and hotels. The location of the city was also good, with two important railways passing through it.
In the 1860s and 70s, immigrants from Ireland arrived in the city. With their arrival, troubles began, problems with breaking the law: robberies, murders, abductions … Once a priest was beaten. Having recovered from the shock, he uttered a prophecy, the truth of which no one then suspected.
Over the years, the crime problems were almost resolved. The townspeople lived their own lives, not suspecting that they were already in wait for new troubles. When it was necessary to dispose of the waste, it became the usual way - they were burned in a pit near the mine, after which the fire was extinguished. But, as it turned out, not all. From smoldering debris, the fire spread through the mines. The omission was soon discovered, but it was already too late: it was not possible to stop the combustion.
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The government hid the incident for a long time. But more and more people began to complain about the deterioration of health. At the hospital, it turned out that they had received carbon monoxide poisoning. One day, a huge hole formed right under the little boy, going deep underground.
The Pennsylvania authorities estimated the amount needed to put out the fire, but it was known that even the proposed measures could not guarantee rescue.
Soon it was decided to leave the city. Many left their homes immediately, but some people did not want to leave their property. Despite their attempts to petition for the preservation of the settlement, it was nevertheless erased from the maps.
Centralia in our time
The route through the city was closed. And at the entrance they hung a sign warning of all the dangers awaiting the daredevils who dare to visit the place. Many houses were demolished or destroyed over time, the streets were overgrown with trees and bushes.
Until 2013, the last residents of the city refused to leave it. There are very few of them, about seven people. Their fenced-in houses had signs that they refused to give interviews.
Getting into this ghost town is very difficult. All roads leading there are closed. There are signs of possible danger everywhere. But there are brave, courageous and a little reckless people who are ready to go to any lengths to see the legendary place. And they succeed. Visitors are greeted not by residents and welcoming streets, but by clouds of smoke erupting from the ground.
Many even take a thermometer with them to check if the temperature is really as high as warned. Despite the danger, the city attracts with its special atmosphere and history. Nevertheless, its visitors should be very careful, because at any moment another hole may form in the ground, leading to a raging flame. According to rough estimates, underground reserves can burn for another 250 years.