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In the past, Centralia was a coal mining town located in Pennsylvania, USA, with over 1,000 inhabitants. Despite declining coal production due to World War I and the 1929 stock market crash, Centralia remained a prosperous town.
However, a fire at a landfill in May 1962 spread to the coal mines in the town of Centralia, turning it into a deadly inferno. As the fire spread, toxic smoke engulfed Centralia, forcing the government to allocate over $42 million to buy back the land and relocate the remaining residents of Centralia.
For nearly 60 years, the fire in the coal mine has smoldered, leaving Centralia abandoned and resembling a "ghost town" in America. However, a few residents remain determined to stay.
Many American tourists visiting Centralia are astonished to see what was once a thriving area transformed into a desolate town with cracked roads, overgrown sidewalks, and a few scattered small houses whose ZIP code was revoked by the U.S. Postal Service in 2002.
Currently, only six residents live in Centralia, making it the least populated town in Pennsylvania, USA. However, many still believe that Centralia is the birthplace of legends, paranormal phenomena, and unbelievable stories. The horror film Silent Hill (2006) was also inspired by this ghost town.
Others, however, have a more positive outlook, believing that one day, the town of Centralia could once again become a vibrant residential area as it once was.
According to authorities, the coal mine fire in the town of Centralia could burn for at least another 100 years. However, we still have reason to hope for a more optimistic outcome, as the streets are increasingly adorned with colorful graffiti – a special signpost for those visiting Centralia for the first time.
To many, this town might seem like a post-apocalyptic wasteland, but for some, it remains their home and hometown. Meanwhile, the local government is working to unlock its potential and transform Centralia into an impressive tourist destination in the United States, attracting adventurous travelers.
