On May 27, 1962, Centralia, Pennsylvania, experienced a landfill cleanup that triggered a fire igniting an underground coal seam, which continues to smolder to this day. Initially regarded as an insignificant problem, it escalated in 1981 when a young boy almost fell into a sinkhole that emitted toxic gases. This event attracted national attention and prompted the government to make the choice to relocate residents instead of quenching the fire, which was considered impractical.
In 1983, Congress earmarked $42 million for relocation, leading to the departure of over a thousand individuals and the demolition of 500 buildings. By 1990, the population had plummeted to 63 from a high of 2,761 in 1890. In 1992, the state enacted eminent domain and condemned the town, and by 2002, Centralia’s zip code was eliminated. A few residents opposed the buyout, wishing to stay in their lifelong homes despite the hazards.
In 2013, a settlement permitted the remaining residents to spend their remaining years in Centralia, with their properties reverting to the state after their passing. The eight holdouts received a $349,500 payout, dividing $218,000 for property values and $131,500 for other claims. The settlement concluded ongoing legal disputes, yet underscored differing views of success among the involved parties.
Currently, Centralia stands as a nearly deserted borough, with traces of its street grid apparent amid fields and smoke. While only a handful remain, the underground fire, which ignited over sixty years ago, continues to rage, symbolizing a significant chapter in the town’s history.