Ride to the End of the World—Centralia, PA
Have you ever wondered what Earth will look like once 99.9% of humanity is gone? Motoring to Centralia, PA, will give you an ominous taste of the end of the world.
I can’t rightly call Centralia a ghost town because it has residents—a whopping five stubborn souls according to the latest census. In practice, however, the town is a demolished ruin that new-growth forest has begun to reclaim.
What on earth happened to Centralia? Well, it’s not about what’s on earth but what lies beneath it.
Settled in 1841, Centralia (originally Bull’s Head) sits on rich coal deposits. Mining activity began in 1856, bringing wealth to the town, until everything changed in 1962.
For reasons that nobody really seems to agree on, the coal beneath Centralia caught fire—and it has been burning to this day.
The mine fire didn’t immediately spell doom for Centralia. In fact, the locals didn’t become aware of how bad the fire was until 1979 when a gas station owner inserted a dipstick into a fuel tank and pulled it back hot. A thermometer showed the underground fire had heated the tank to 172 degrees.
After that, the situation quickly deteriorated, with huge sinkholes opening in the ground (one nearly swallowed a young boy in 1981) and lethal levels of carbon monoxide billowing out of cracks in soil and roads. By 1990, Centralia was virtually abandoned, and today, most of its buildings have been condemned and demolished.
The Things That Were There
Due to its abandonment, Centralia isn’t exactly bustling with activity. Still, there are many eerie remnants of civilization for visitors to see.
Just the general atmosphere in Centralia makes it worth riding to. With its looming sense of devastation, it’s no wonder the town has inspired many horror movies, novels, and other works of fiction.
The main attraction in Centralia used to be the remnant of SR 61, a stretch of highway cracked and broken by the shifting terrain and covered in graffiti. However, disrespect by both visitors and locals has led to the road being intentionally buried with soil and the graffiti is no longer visible.
There was once a Veterans Memorial Bell standing at the corner of what were Park St and Locust Ave. The bell is long gone, but you can still see the dilapidated concrete base in the abandoned park.
Odd Fellows Cemetery—one of the purported origin places of the fire—in the southeast of the town is still being somewhat maintained through volunteer efforts. Occasionally, smoke rises from beneath the crooked gravestones, making for an eerie scene.
Finally, there’s the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. This Ukrainian Greek-Catholic church is the only building actively maintained and used, and it still holds services each Sunday. Surveys have found it stands on solid rock and is unaffected by the fire—divine providence, perhaps?
For an ominous motorcycle trip, point your front wheel to Centralia. The ex-town is a sobering reminder that we’re not here to stay, so we’d better make the most of the ride while it lasts.
If you do visit, remember to be careful in the area. Avoid any underground smoke, as it may be toxic, and watch out for sinkholes.
Facts & Info
Nearby Attractions
- The general atmosphere of impending doom
- Remains of the SR 61 Graffiti Road
- Veterans Memorial Bell ruin
- Odd Fellows Cemetery
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
Nearby Roads
There’s not much riding to be done in Centralia itself, what with most of the place being a ruin. Fortunately, it is close to a fun little jaunt.
After exploring Centralia, roll some 10 miles west to the town of Shamokin. There, pick up SR 125 and ride it down to US 209 and Tower City, where you’ll take two lefts—first onto SR 325 and immediately after onto Gold Mine Rd to Green Point.
This is an entertaining, 25-or-so-mile ride through the mountains, with some nice curves and elevation changes. Just keep an eye on the pavement, since it’s not exactly five-star quality in all spots.
If this road doesn’t tickle your fancy, Centralia is nicely… Well, central, so you’re within reasonable distance of many of the wonderful riding roads in Pennsylvania. Head south to the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor or north to the Highway to the Stars.
Recommended Lodging: Shamokin Bed and Breakfast
You obviously won’t find any lodging in Centralia, but Shamokin Bed and Breakfast is only 10 miles away. The lovingly restored Victorian house makes for a great gateway to Centralia.
With the enormous rooms, you’ll have plenty of space for laying out your gear. Coffee is readily available in the lounge area, and the hearty breakfast gets you ready for the ride. Additionally, the owner is font of local historical knowledge and can entertain you with stories about the area.
In addition to being close to Centralia, Shamokin is the starting point of the aforementioned SR 125/Gold Mine Rd ride. This B&B serves as a unique starting point for your Pennsylvania adventure
Best Time to Travel
Central Pennsylvania is a great destination in three out of the four seasons. Winters get cold and snowy, but late spring to early fall—May to October—are all good times to go see Centralia.
Personally, though, I’d go in the fall. You get to avoid the largest tourist crowds, can score better deals at accommodations, and (most importantly) get to see the blazing colors of Pennsylvania fall foliage.