I stopped here in the winter of 2020 on my way from Maine to TN...There was snow on the ground and it was dead silent all around...got pictures of the church and the deserted roads through town...truly a unique experience.
Thanks for the tour. It’s been a long time since I have been there. My family is from Centralia,Columbia, PA. My family arrived in 1907 from Lviv Outblast Ukraine. We belonged to the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Church. Most of my family members are buried there. I remember growing up and having steam come out of the ground everywhere
I was there in about 2014 or so. The fire started in the empty area just to the right of the new rt 61 (where the graffiti highway ends) if you’re headed toward the next town (the centralia fire station would be on your right up farther ahead). I learned a lot there from a gentleman who wrote the original book about centralia. He had grown up there. There are 2 cemeteries there. The one to the left of the new rt 61 has the vent stacks in it. When I was there, there were still several houses there that people lived in. The bench mentioned was still there. To be honest, other then the cemeteries, the empty roads and the church, there isn’t a lot to see. My father visited there in the 80s and there still was a town . When the government convinced a large portion of the people to leave, many moved to Asheville a couple of miles away. However in the last decade or so they have noticed that the ground in ashville is also rising in temperature. Which is concerning because they don’t know exactly how big the mine was and where the coal seams lead to. Oddly enough there is a busy town just past centralia on 61. It’s less then a 1/4 mike away. The town is believed to be condemned on purpose by the government. Once the town realized that the underground mine was on fire (in about 1967-8) they paid a company to deal with it. However the town funds ran out before the job could be completed. They asked the government for help. Finally in the early 70s the government came in and tried to put out the fire but abandoned the effort do to it costing too much money. The government never tried to put out the fire again. In the early 80s the government declared eminent domain on the town (they lost their postal designation and any government support, like plowing and road crews). After a lengthy court battle that went on into the 90s, they came to an agreement. The government was forced to pay everyone who still lived in the town a certain amount of money and that once the residents left or died, the property became owned by the government. It could never be sold or inherited (given to anther family member). Once the last resident leaves or dies, the land will revert to the government. Many believe that the government purposely held back on trying to put out the fire in order to take the land and the mining claims for themselves. The government will then put out the fire (or reduce it) and sell mining rights to private companies and allow the town to become a quarry. The total amount of money invested putting out the fire was less then $150,000 in 1972 money. I live about an hour from centralia. And BTW: right next to centralia is anther very small abandoned town. But it was abandoned decades before the fire due to economic reasons. There is nothing left of that town. In fact you’d never know it was there unless you knew where to look.
Just wanna thank you guys for all the great content, my father recently suffered from a stroke and has been in the hospital and your videos have kept my mind busy from worrying.
I have visited Centralia a half dozen times starting in 2007. On very cold days then, smoke would rise from cracks in the ground. Then, the highway wasn't covered, and you could see the temperature vapors from a distance rising from the cracks in daylight...pretty neat. We met a local who had a shovel who was digging dirt around his home. He told us if he doesn't put out the ground smoldering, it could catch his house on fire. As the years went on things changed. Last time I was there was in 2011 and by that time the smoke and the sulfer smell was completely gone. Before anyone says its not possible, the coal veins still lit are roaming under the town, and have potentially moved to other areas not seen from the road. You can find this by looking for dead trees. It comes and goes. The best memory of Centralia was during a cold wet rainy morning and the fog was so dense you couldn't see 100 feet ahead of you. Some of it was the smoke from the crevices. What you thought was coal that Jessica picked up was Pennsylvania black slate. The park in town has a veterans memorial and a time capsule. Shame you didn't find it. There are 45 active mine fires in Pennsylvania right now. On the drive up you or down should've stopped at the numerous beverage distributors to pick up some A-Treat soda. The flavor of their sodas are second to none! Glad to see an update to Centralia. love your videos.
Centralia was my mother, her parents and her grandparents home. It's not an evil town. It resembled the town from It's a wonderful life. Thank you for stating the facts. Somehow it got caught up in the Hollywood but I'm also very grateful that people are still interested in it. Stay safe. Even after the fire stopped underneath the ground underneath is still unstable from where the coal veins were running and burning. It has much more new foliage growing now then it had been for quite a long time.
Drone footage of the dirt piles is reminiscent of the movie Holes, Only confined to following to the line of that road as it winds through the Autumn trees
There are 11 people still living there. Their deal is they can stay there until they die, but cannot leave their property to relatives. When they pass the property will go to the state and then be demolished.
This was really great. My father grew up in Centralia. I did a video piece on Centralia when I was in journalism school. It’s sad to think there used to be a once thriving town there which is gone. We have a lot of our ancestors in St Ignatius Graveyard.
Spring break 2019 I visited Centralia on an urban explorer mission with me younger brother Jonah who was 10 at the time and dying to visit. I've known about this place since 2014 when I was working on a school project. Looking at the before and after photos I felt extremely nostalgic and could swear I've been there before. As soon as we arrived, I had a serious case if déjà vu come over me and just like that I began to see me past life flash before me eyes. Now people think I'm crazy because I can remember me whole past life. I remember going on family road trips with me large family in the 1950s. Can remember graduating high school in the 60s and raising me 7 children in the 70s. I can especially remember me husband, seven kids and I visiting Centralia in the late 70s, listening to Joni Mitchell and talking about what happened here. I was in high school in 1962 when this was all over the news. I then traveled here again with me grandkids in the 80s and died in the 90s. Now here I am again, a teenager remembering all this all because I've been here so many times before but only once in this life. It's funny how someone can only remember bits and pieces of their past life then they visit an abandoned town and it triggers so much more of their life before.
I lived in Gettysburg , PA for 3 years, and had no knowledge of this town or its story. Fascinating and sad at the same time. Thank you! You and Jessica bring us so much! I’m so glad to have discovered your channel, and I hope we have you for a long time to come❤️
GRIMMLIFE Historians Michael and Jessica take us on another learning adventure! Once again be amazed from the knowledge they have of the history of the town and happenings over 60 years ago to even the correct definition of a graveyard and a cemetery. The drone footage is awesome and used well to show more of the area than if they had just stayed on the surface. A well planned video!! Thank you Michael and Jessica..... Happy Halloween 🎃🎃🎃🎃
@@grimmlifecollective These are some of the best UFO video clips I have personally seen... I compiled them myself into a list on UA-cam for easy viewing. Aliens? CGI? Hoaxes? You decide... Here’s the playlist: ua-cam.com/play/PLAaeGTcewqEiDLntbj-OByNUHP0WxMy_Y.html
As a note to any who want to visit this area. We were just there, August 2022. There are 5 people left in town, 1 church, and the Municiple Building, and graffiti highway has been buried. You can drive through the town but will not recognize anything of the town. And Graffiti Hgw. If you do stop and try to walk where it is, just piles of dirt. The Cops will fine you for trespassing, 200-250.00.
Yall should visit Knoebels Amusement Park while you’re up there. They have a famous Dark Ride/Haunted House. Free admission and free parking. Just pay for tickets for what you want to ride. They get awards every year for the food too! Delicious!
I literally live 20 minutes away from the town. And the reason they covered Graffiti Road with mounds of dirt was from people kept walking it during the pandemic last year and the land owner didn't want liability for anyone who got hurt.
I was just telling my old man earlier this week that I'd love to see you both hit Centralia, PA and here you are! We're both big fans of the Silent Hill games, so we really enjoyed this tremendously. Love you both! 🖤🖤
Just visited Centralia. Not much to see except the church, Old Fellows Cemetery, St. Ignatius Cemetery, and the little shrine to the Virgin Mary in Brynesville. Some other things to do in the area... Big Mine Run Geyser in Ashland. There is also the Gordon Mountain Ghost. Back 1925 they found a mutilated, and badly burned body of a young woman on Broad Mountain between Gordon and Heckersville. Her ghost is said to drain your car battery on nights of the full moon. Some have even claimed to see apparitions and hear screams in the forest!
Excellent tour. Centralia looked like a wonderful place to live before the fire. I can’t imagine having to relocate away from a home where several generations thrived. You guys always respect the locations you visit. Much appreciated by the living and the dead. 👍👍👍👍👍
I used to work for an environmental protection agency there in central PA back in the mid to late 80s and remember visiting Centralia when they were still buildings and even some businesses. It was a very cool town, very reminiscent of many towns in Central PA. It’s just crazy what happened there and it’s still happening to this day. That fire will seemingly burn forever. Very cool video. I always like seeing updated videos of the town, or at least what is left of what is there.
May 27, 1962 was when the fire started. They never capped all of the mines. On Big Mine Run Road, about 2 miles down from the 4 way intersection, you'll find steam from the mines, which is a backdraft ventilation as the fire is not under the town any longer.
Thank you so much for going huge fan . I chatted with you guys on your live video months ago I live in the area and it’s great to see you guys visiting here.
Thank you so much for pointing out that the only thing the mine fire of Centralia inspired was the mine fire of the Silent Hill movie. A lot of people mistakenly think the town of Centralia itself inspired Silent Hill in general when it didn't. Only after the films, in Homecoming, was there a mine fire.
@@KevinConsolo They were referring to "Silent Hill: Homecoming" the fifth installment in the silent hill franchise of games had a mine fire. Not that after the film there was a mine fire.
Thank you for this video! I went to college close by Centralia. Visited there in 1988 to shoot some video for a journalism class. I recall driving along Route 61 and seeing (and smelling - yuck!!) the smoke. You could easily see the smoke just driving along 61. At that time there were still a lot buildings still standing. It's very interesting to see how it looks today.
Thank you for posting this. I was up there today, but for work at a nearby house. I didn’t have time to explore. That church stands out like crazy and has and has a definite presence.
The US Government took away their post office and even discontinued their zip code. The locals can't get mail. They get a PO Box a town over if they want mail. Great video!
It was my understanding that the USPS would still deliver Mail to the Centralia Residents once they started using Ashland's Zip Code. But your right for sure RIP 17927.
This is so awesome! I just love the entire Silent Hill franchise and a visit to Centralia is on my bucket list. Thank you so much for taking us with you. Love from Holland
Great video! I Live very near Centralia. In Ringtown. Very sad. Your best time to go is in winter ...when pockets of steam are visible coming up from certain points. Also in snowy weather there will be patches of wet ground instead of accumulating snow. The fire that started it all ignited a large coal vein ...that to this day still threatens neighboring towns... mostly Ashland directly adjacent to Centralia. Subsidence is common in other towns as well, Gordon, Lavelle, the Gaps, etc. Roads have been closed often. It is always prevalent in our minds....even though born in 82 ...I've witnessed this town disappear sadly...all life longers here Hold Centralia in our hearts. And blessings to those few who still reside.
Same here! I had one of my friends play it and he got so scared he refused to go to sleep the whole night lol. man good times. I still have my game disc to this day :D
My own husband calls me My Girl or Sweet Honey. It is not disrespectful but sweet nickname since I am his girl for over 31 years of marriage now. I do personally prefer and love My Girl over my woman or my lady. ❤
One thing that makes me ponder is the cemeteries that are left. It must be so lonely that nobody really remembers them or comes to visit, but at the same time the peace and the rest they must be getting from being forgotten...
His cousin saved the boy, not his brother, also the sinkhole is even deeper as well, it was measured at 15 stories, 197.4 feet deep! Awesome video man!!
Just discovered your channel and I am hooked on your content! Centralia looked like an amazing town back then, and in its present state looks even more fascinating with the mine fire still burning underground after 60+ years or so. Keep up the good work you two!!
Oh my goodness I live almost 2 hours away from there and I was just telling one of my friends about that place!! 😮😄 You guys always do such a beautiful job with your videos and give really great history about the places you visit in such an honorable way 🤗 Thank you for brightening our day! ✨
I live 40 minutes from Central I've been there a few times, when I was there smoke was still coming from the ground and there were a few people living there. I remember the day they covered the highway with dirt my brother and I work in Shamokin out rt. 61 there was about 50 dump trucks coming down 61 from Centralia.
Omg, I'm so glad you got that info right. So many UA-camrs incorrectly claim that the town Silent Hill from the GAME was based on Centralia, when it was only the movie version that took inspiration. Glad to see you guys at least make sure to get your facts straight. Great video as well
I took a solo trip there in August 2015. There were a few other people walking the graffiti highway, but I ventured into the adjacent woods on a footpath. Came across what I believe was a sinkhole. A tree had uprooted and fell next to the hole. Someone spray painted the words, "Portal to Hell" on the dead fall. I didn't get too close, as it had a diameter of at least 6' and looked like it went down at least 15'-20'. I drove around some of the side streets afterwards, but nothing much to see from inside the car. Thanks, for showing us more of the area. 👍
Well thank you! I've loved cemeteries for years, photographed many and never ever did it occur to me to wonder what the difference was between cemetery/graveyard. I guess I just figured it was all up to where you live and how you were raised. OK that last shot with the church so far off.. that was unreal. It's a beautiful church, I wish you'd have gotten permission to see the inside. I'll bet it's gorgeous
I was around back then and the neighborhoods and people were friendly and salt of the earth. The State really tried but the damage had been done by the extensive mining that in those days when coal was king in PA which was the early part of the 20th century--mining had been unregulated. So, when a mine fire happened and the ground already stripped for all it's mineral content and left bare--the matter quickly got out of control. I got a chance to know the people of the town and it was sad to see the down vanish to due the mine fire.
Nice! I grew up and my parent still live 40mins from here. Been here a few times before they covered the road up and added all the extra security. Great vid though!
Holy CRAP! Never seen a drone shot of Centralia before. LOVE drone shots. I never knew how extensive the dirt piles were. I was certain that it was only at the entrance. That was a HUGE job that entailed many many hours of work and many tons of dirt. Your docos are all awesome. They really stand out. THANK YOU!!!
I'm really surprised the government cleaned up all those buildings, it looks like it was a really big town at one point from some of the photos you shared.
At peak a few thousand, but if I recall went down some even before it got cleared out.... Place isn't as bad as made out to be other than people trashing the place.
You had it right. A piece of land with graves on it is called a cemetery. If said land also has a church on it, it’s called a graveyard. Also, the picture of what the highway used to look like in the 80’s was mind blowing. It reminds of the ghost towns out west.
This was fascinating. I believe the rock she picked up was actually a piece of slate instead of coal. Coal is generally black instead of grey. Great job on the video!!
So beautiful! I don’t know much about the mine fire, but, being a native Californian, I’m wondering if the fire ever came close to the surface and started wildfires as there is so many trees and brush. That’s my mindset as here in California we have so many fires unfortunately -as you know! Love your videos. You two rock. Thank you for such awesome shows.
I love all of your videos and I know you all do a ton of research and editing just to put these together. Thank you for that. This one has to be one of my favorites! Such a great bit of history and as always, the perfect way of presenting all of it. Thank you again for all of your hard work and dedication to bringing all of us you’re awesome video documentaries!
Seriously your better then ghost adventures. A friend of mine went to school with Andrea holzer the daughter of hanz holzer on the files. You guys are great you do it out of passion not the fame and hello again from los Angeles California
I have seen the film Silent Hill!!! I love it. I saw a documentary on Chiller called Real Fear and it was about the true stories behind the films. Centralia was featured on there. It is so sad how one town was completely wiped out and there is nothing there. I think the only thing there is a church plus a cemetery.
The cemetery has been revitalized and it's actually located across the range from the church. In case anybody wonders how the fire actually started it was commonplace to burn trash back then and that's where they messed up because the trash pile got blown into one of the entrances and started the fire in the mines
Silent Hill.....The best, most terrifying game for the time. Playing that for the first time on the PS1 back in the day....I seriously had nightmares. I wish Konami followed through with the new one but sadly, it seems like we die hard fans of authentic horror gaming shall never have our day, lol.
We’ve got ventilation shafts all over the city where I live in the Czech Republic. Many years ago they dug under the castle for coal and it partially collapsed; they’ve since rebuilt it. There’s also a slag heap (where they used to dumb the coal waste) which now is covered in trees and has its own microclimate because it’s much warmer than the surrounding area-in fact, it’s still smoldering, and there are still holes in which smoke (and fumes) escapes near the top.
great video the footage is simply flawless (seen almost all the recent footage of Centralia on youtube you’re footage is top notch quality! The story of Centralia, PA is interesting but, also heartbreaking (Stories about Centralia, PA, Time Beach, Missouri and the Danvers State Hospital are 3 very important American tragedies that more people should know about the only way to learn from history is to actually know our history 👍
I live in a town that’s built on top of a salt mine and yeah, living on top of a mine is the real deal. In the 38 years that I’ve been around we’ve dealt with sink holes that caused a neighborhood to get partially bull dozed, gas explosions in which pockets of gas started exploding underground and causing above ground explosions all around the town that actually killed people, they set up ventilation shafts all around the town to remedy that problem. And most recently we have mysterious earthquakes. No one knows if those have anything to do with the salt mines
That rock she picked up was definitely shale. I'm from PA and have been to Centralia and other coal areas. Coal isn't flat. Last time I was there it was summer and our feet were on fire by the time we left. Did you see the old fire dept at the end of town, still just sitting? If you are still in PA check out Gettysburg. One of my favorite Haunts.....like seriously that entire town, the fields, it's all haunted.
The first priest who was murdered by the Mollies gang cursed the town and said “the only thing standing in the town will be the St. Ignacious Church” 👀 I’d say they are almost there
Hi guys . .being Pennsylvania resident I thoroughly enjoyed this video. U picked a great time to go with the beautiful fall colors we're so well known for. Safe travels ✌❤🙂
Hi michael Jessica. That Dark Music Playing Reminds Me Of John Carpenters "The Thing"1982..Cool!! May62 The Day Centralia Give Up Its Secrets Nasty Place Very Eggy Back Yrs Ago over 1'500 ppl lived and left think there about 3 families...
I stopped here in the winter of 2020 on my way from Maine to TN...There was snow on the ground and it was dead silent all around...got pictures of the church and the deserted roads through town...truly a unique experience.
Was you Nervous
Just curious what part of Maine are you from? I hope to make a trip from Michigan to Maine someday.
Thanks for the tour. It’s been a long time since I have been there. My family is from Centralia,Columbia, PA. My family arrived in 1907 from Lviv Outblast Ukraine. We belonged to the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Church. Most of my family members are buried there. I remember growing up and having steam come out of the ground everywhere
The only church left is the Ukranian church on the hill. Have you visited?
I wanna visit ur house (not in a creepy way) but like people from US intimidate me and I just wanna know someone from there
I was there in about 2014 or so. The fire started in the empty area just to the right of the new rt 61 (where the graffiti highway ends) if you’re headed toward the next town (the centralia fire station would be on your right up farther ahead). I learned a lot there from a gentleman who wrote the original book about centralia. He had grown up there. There are 2 cemeteries there. The one to the left of the new rt 61 has the vent stacks in it.
When I was there, there were still several houses there that people lived in. The bench mentioned was still there. To be honest, other then the cemeteries, the empty roads and the church, there isn’t a lot to see.
My father visited there in the 80s and there still was a town .
When the government convinced a large portion of the people to leave, many moved to Asheville a couple of miles away. However in the last decade or so they have noticed that the ground in ashville is also rising in temperature. Which is concerning because they don’t know exactly how big the mine was and where the coal seams lead to. Oddly enough there is a busy town just past centralia on 61. It’s less then a 1/4 mike away.
The town is believed to be condemned on purpose by the government. Once the town realized that the underground mine was on fire (in about 1967-8) they paid a company to deal with it. However the town funds ran out before the job could be completed. They asked the government for help. Finally in the early 70s the government came in and tried to put out the fire but abandoned the effort do to it costing too much money. The government never tried to put out the fire again. In the early 80s the government declared eminent domain on the town (they lost their postal designation and any government support, like plowing and road crews). After a lengthy court battle that went on into the 90s, they came to an agreement. The government was forced to pay everyone who still lived in the town a certain amount of money and that once the residents left or died, the property became owned by the government. It could never be sold or inherited (given to anther family member). Once the last resident leaves or dies, the land will revert to the government. Many believe that the government purposely held back on trying to put out the fire in order to take the land and the mining claims for themselves. The government will then put out the fire (or reduce it) and sell mining rights to private companies and allow the town to become a quarry.
The total amount of money invested putting out the fire was less then $150,000 in 1972 money.
I live about an hour from centralia.
And BTW: right next to centralia is anther very small abandoned town. But it was abandoned decades before the fire due to economic reasons. There is nothing left of that town. In fact you’d never know it was there unless you knew where to look.
Thanks for sharing this information with us. 😇
Are you referring to Byrnesville?
Thank you !!
This comment is incredibly interesting 🤔
@@marcboulware6242 That's what I was wondering.
As a kid we drove through Centralia on the way to knobles amusement resort. Now i live about 5 min. away.
Just wanna thank you guys for all the great content, my father recently suffered from a stroke and has been in the hospital and your videos have kept my mind busy from worrying.
🖤💜🖤
I have visited Centralia a half dozen times starting in 2007. On very cold days then, smoke would rise from cracks in the ground. Then, the highway wasn't covered, and you could see the temperature vapors from a distance rising from the cracks in daylight...pretty neat. We met a local who had a shovel who was digging dirt around his home. He told us if he doesn't put out the ground smoldering, it could catch his house on fire. As the years went on things changed. Last time I was there was in 2011 and by that time the smoke and the sulfer smell was completely gone. Before anyone says its not possible, the coal veins still lit are roaming under the town, and have potentially moved to other areas not seen from the road. You can find this by looking for dead trees. It comes and goes. The best memory of Centralia was during a cold wet rainy morning and the fog was so dense you couldn't see 100 feet ahead of you. Some of it was the smoke from the crevices.
What you thought was coal that Jessica picked up was Pennsylvania black slate.
The park in town has a veterans memorial and a time capsule. Shame you didn't find it.
There are 45 active mine fires in Pennsylvania right now.
On the drive up you or down should've stopped at the numerous beverage distributors to pick up some A-Treat soda. The flavor of their sodas are second to none!
Glad to see an update to Centralia.
love your videos.
I would love if u did a video yourself , I wanna see this place in depth..and if u don't care about views..why don't u start one?
Centralia was my mother, her parents and her grandparents home. It's not an evil town. It resembled the town from It's a wonderful life. Thank you for stating the facts. Somehow it got caught up in the Hollywood but I'm also very grateful that people are still interested in it. Stay safe. Even after the fire stopped underneath the ground underneath is still unstable from where the coal veins were running and burning. It has much more new foliage growing now then it had been for quite a long time.
My father's family lived at the top of the hill in Aristes. My Grandfather was "the bread man" and delivered in Centralia. Most knew him as Walt.
So glad you knew only the movie town was based on Centralia. The game town was based on several towns in Japan and the Pacific Northwest.
I live right in Lancaster PA. I've visited there a few years ago.
Drone footage of the dirt piles is reminiscent of the movie Holes, Only confined to following to the line of that road as it winds through the Autumn trees
The grass was mowed & tended to by the Church. My guess is there is one guy with a tractor who mows the whole town. Very busy guy!
I want to know more about the people that have decided to stay.
The 5 that remain wanted to live out their lives in the town simply because it is their home.
@@adamtereska8734 they would have to be newer people because most of them have already passed away years ago
@@Bella1neverknows670 their descendants could move back. There has been interest in that.
There are 11 people still living there. Their deal is they can stay there until they die, but cannot leave their property to relatives. When they pass the property will go to the state and then be demolished.
well, their story is a bit hazy...
This was really great. My father grew up in Centralia. I did a video piece on Centralia when I was in journalism school. It’s sad to think there used to be a once thriving town there which is gone. We have a lot of our ancestors in St Ignatius Graveyard.
My family as well. I miss it.
😢😢
Do you ever visit
@@tammyboykin5285 hi I haven't been there since 1983. I want to one day thought.
That's when I was born
Spring break 2019 I visited Centralia on an urban explorer mission with me younger brother Jonah who was 10 at the time and dying to visit. I've known about this place since 2014 when I was working on a school project. Looking at the before and after photos I felt extremely nostalgic and could swear I've been there before. As soon as we arrived, I had a serious case if déjà vu come over me and just like that I began to see me past life flash before me eyes. Now people think I'm crazy because I can remember me whole past life. I remember going on family road trips with me large family in the 1950s. Can remember graduating high school in the 60s and raising me 7 children in the 70s. I can especially remember me husband, seven kids and I visiting Centralia in the late 70s, listening to Joni Mitchell and talking about what happened here. I was in high school in 1962 when this was all over the news. I then traveled here again with me grandkids in the 80s and died in the 90s. Now here I am again, a teenager remembering all this all because I've been here so many times before but only once in this life. It's funny how someone can only remember bits and pieces of their past life then they visit an abandoned town and it triggers so much more of their life before.
I lived in Gettysburg , PA for 3 years, and had no knowledge of this town or its story. Fascinating and sad at the same time. Thank you! You and Jessica bring us so much! I’m so glad to have discovered your channel, and I hope we have you for a long time to come❤️
GRIMMLIFE Historians Michael and Jessica take us on another learning adventure! Once again be amazed from the knowledge they have of the history of the town and happenings over 60 years ago to even the correct definition of a graveyard and a cemetery. The drone footage is awesome and used well to show more of the area than if they had just stayed on the surface. A well planned video!! Thank you Michael and Jessica..... Happy Halloween 🎃🎃🎃🎃
Thank you so much
@@grimmlifecollective for Jessica
ua-cam.com/video/Io8GWD8X5qQ/v-deo.html
@@grimmlifecollective These are some of the best UFO
video clips I have personally seen...
I compiled them myself into a list
on UA-cam for easy viewing.
Aliens? CGI? Hoaxes? You decide...
Here’s the playlist:
ua-cam.com/play/PLAaeGTcewqEiDLntbj-OByNUHP0WxMy_Y.html
@@grimmlifecollective my name is Shaun I like your UA-cam channel
Living not too far away, i always loved when my grandpa would take us back from knoebels through centralia. Beautiful area
As a note to any who want to visit this area. We were just there, August 2022. There are 5 people left in town, 1 church, and the Municiple Building, and graffiti highway has been buried. You can drive through the town but will not recognize anything of the town. And Graffiti Hgw. If you do stop and try to walk where it is, just piles of dirt. The Cops will fine you for trespassing, 200-250.00.
Remember and love both. Silent Hill has always been my favorite. Such a creepy concept.
Yall should visit Knoebels Amusement Park while you’re up there. They have a famous Dark Ride/Haunted House. Free admission and free parking. Just pay for tickets for what you want to ride. They get awards every year for the food too! Delicious!
I am heading there on Sunday !!!
Such an amazing park!
Went there a few years ago, Phoenix coaster is my favorite ride there
I did not know that it was free admission. I have seen some videos and it looks like a nice Park
Bt 5
I literally live 20 minutes away from the town. And the reason they covered Graffiti Road with mounds of dirt was from people kept walking it during the pandemic last year and the land owner didn't want liability for anyone who got hurt.
I'm from Scranton. *LET'S GO BRANDON!*
False. . It was cause of all the trash and bullshit people would leave.
I've watched several videos on this town and it truly is fascinating. I'm a big fan of all your videos. They are superbly made.
I am a Huge fan of your videos as well! Always watching from Ohio!
I was just telling my old man earlier this week that I'd love to see you both hit Centralia, PA and here you are! We're both big fans of the Silent Hill games, so we really enjoyed this tremendously. Love you both! 🖤🖤
Just visited Centralia. Not much to see except the church, Old Fellows Cemetery, St. Ignatius Cemetery, and the little shrine to the Virgin Mary in Brynesville. Some other things to do in the area... Big Mine Run Geyser in Ashland. There is also the Gordon Mountain Ghost. Back 1925 they found a mutilated, and badly burned body of a young woman on Broad Mountain between Gordon and Heckersville. Her ghost is said to drain your car battery on nights of the full moon. Some have even claimed to see apparitions and hear screams in the forest!
Excellent tour. Centralia looked like a wonderful place to live before the fire. I can’t imagine having to relocate away from a home where several generations thrived. You guys always respect the locations you visit. Much appreciated by the living and the dead. 👍👍👍👍👍
Oh it caused a huge uproar amongst town's people. That is a fact. Half torn between leaving or staying. Lots of in family arguments as well.
I used to work for an environmental protection agency there in central PA back in the mid to late 80s and remember visiting Centralia when they were still buildings and even some businesses. It was a very cool town, very reminiscent of many towns in Central PA. It’s just crazy what happened there and it’s still happening to this day. That fire will seemingly burn forever. Very cool video. I always like seeing updated videos of the town, or at least what is left of what is there.
Yes! As soon as you guys mentioned you would be in PA I was hoping you would go to Centralia! Excellent video!
I gotta say. These morning Grimmlife vids have been a fun way to start my day! 👻🖤🌻
May 27, 1962 was when the fire started. They never capped all of the mines. On Big Mine Run Road, about 2 miles down from the 4 way intersection, you'll find steam from the mines, which is a backdraft ventilation as the fire is not under the town any longer.
You are correct.
That's cool to know. We never made it to Centralia last summer but will definitely drive thru the area this summer
Thank you so much for going huge fan . I chatted with you guys on your live video months ago I live in the area and it’s great to see you guys visiting here.
Thank you so much for pointing out that the only thing the mine fire of Centralia inspired was the mine fire of the Silent Hill movie. A lot of people mistakenly think the town of Centralia itself inspired Silent Hill in general when it didn't. Only after the films, in Homecoming, was there a mine fire.
Did you say only after the films was there a mine fire? The Mine fire happened in 1962. Check when the movies were made.
@@KevinConsolo They were referring to "Silent Hill: Homecoming" the fifth installment in the silent hill franchise of games had a mine fire. Not that after the film there was a mine fire.
@@Shanook I stand on what I said.
Thank you for this video! I went to college close by Centralia. Visited there in 1988 to shoot some video for a journalism class. I recall driving along Route 61 and seeing (and smelling - yuck!!) the smoke. You could easily see the smoke just driving along 61. At that time there were still a lot buildings still standing. It's very interesting to see how it looks today.
I have a sleep disorder, so I pass the nights watching a lot of UA-cam ,I have to admit your channel is one of the most factual and informative
Thank you for posting this. I was up there today, but for work at a nearby house. I didn’t have time to explore. That church stands out like crazy and has and has a definite presence.
That highway with the dirt looks like a chain of dragons’ teeth tank barriers, like with the old French Maginot Line.
The US Government took away their post office and even discontinued their zip code. The locals can't get mail. They get a PO Box a town over if they want mail. Great video!
It was my understanding that the USPS would still deliver Mail to the Centralia Residents once they started using Ashland's Zip Code. But your right for sure RIP 17927.
@@katiefincher2433 With all of the other wild exaggerations about this town, these are the comments that made you angry?
Oh man, just found this video and can’t wait to watch. I’ve always wanted to visit Centralia.
This is so awesome! I just love the entire Silent Hill franchise and a visit to Centralia is on my bucket list. Thank you so much for taking us with you. Love from Holland
Great video!
I Live very near Centralia.
In Ringtown.
Very sad.
Your best time to go is in winter ...when pockets of steam are visible coming up from certain points. Also in snowy weather there will be patches of wet ground instead of accumulating snow.
The fire that started it all ignited a large coal vein ...that to this day still threatens neighboring towns... mostly Ashland directly adjacent to Centralia. Subsidence is common in other towns as well, Gordon, Lavelle, the Gaps, etc. Roads have been closed often.
It is always prevalent in our minds....even though born in 82 ...I've witnessed this town disappear sadly...all life longers here
Hold Centralia in our hearts. And blessings to those few who still reside.
Bought it when it first came out in 1999! Still the scariest game ever in my opinion.
Same here! I had one of my friends play it and he got so scared he refused to go to sleep the whole night lol. man good times.
I still have my game disc to this day :D
Both the movies and ps1-ps2 era of games are great
You should watch our fan film if you love Silent Hill 2! ua-cam.com/video/6JQ8E78VeYQ/v-deo.html
Gotta love how you're advocating safe walking and monitoring of hot steam and concrete, to your girl......... Who's wearing sandals ffs lol
Lol I was just about to comment the same thing, maybe flip flops was not the correct choice
Seems a bit disrespectful to refer to Jessica as "Your Girl"
Considering that They're married
@@breeophel3883 dude, relax.
@@breeophel3883 it's not that deep... chill
My own husband calls me My Girl or Sweet Honey. It is not disrespectful but sweet nickname since I am his girl for over 31 years of marriage now. I do personally prefer and love My Girl over my woman or my lady. ❤
One thing that makes me ponder is the cemeteries that are left. It must be so lonely that nobody really remembers them or comes to visit, but at the same time the peace and the rest they must be getting from being forgotten...
Silent hill is one of my favourite films, thankyiu guys ❤ ive heard about this place. In the uk we call it the town that burns x
His cousin saved the boy, not his brother, also the sinkhole is even deeper as well, it was measured at 15 stories, 197.4 feet deep! Awesome video man!!
Just discovered your channel and I am hooked on your content! Centralia looked like an amazing town back then, and in its present state looks even more fascinating with the mine fire still burning underground after 60+ years or so. Keep up the good work you two!!
The story of Centralia has always fascinated me, great video, you guys are one of my favorite UA-cam channels ❤
Oh my goodness I live almost 2 hours away from there and I was just telling one of my friends about that place!! 😮😄 You guys always do such a beautiful job with your videos and give really great history about the places you visit in such an honorable way 🤗 Thank you for brightening our day! ✨
I live 40 minutes from Central I've been there a few times, when I was there smoke was still coming from the ground and there were a few people living there. I remember the day they covered the highway with dirt my brother and I work in Shamokin out rt. 61 there was about 50 dump trucks coming down 61 from Centralia.
Omg, I'm so glad you got that info right. So many UA-camrs incorrectly claim that the town Silent Hill from the GAME was based on Centralia, when it was only the movie version that took inspiration. Glad to see you guys at least make sure to get your facts straight. Great video as well
Glad i'm not the only person to notice as the game was not based on Centrailia and only the movie was, but so many people today seem to think so.
I'm so JEALOUS! Going to Centralia is on the top 5 of my bucket list. This is my favorite you two have done!!! VERY WELL DONE!!
Silent Hill is like the only movie I can think of that Sean Bean survives.
I took a solo trip there in August 2015. There were a few other people walking the graffiti highway, but I ventured into the adjacent woods on a footpath. Came across what I believe was a sinkhole. A tree had uprooted and fell next to the hole. Someone spray painted the words, "Portal to Hell" on the dead fall. I didn't get too close, as it had a diameter of at least 6' and looked like it went down at least 15'-20'. I drove around some of the side streets afterwards, but nothing much to see from inside the car. Thanks, for showing us more of the area. 👍
Well thank you! I've loved cemeteries for years, photographed many and never ever did it occur to me to wonder what the difference was between cemetery/graveyard. I guess I just figured it was all up to where you live and how you were raised. OK that last shot with the church so far off.. that was unreal. It's a beautiful church, I wish you'd have gotten permission to see the inside. I'll bet it's gorgeous
From northern Ont Canada. Love every adventure. Front row seats. Keep them coming✌️&❤️.
It's amazing how in very little time it took for nature to reclaim back the land.
Centralia is eerie place in Pennsylvania
I was around back then and the neighborhoods and people were friendly and salt of the earth. The State really tried but the damage had been done by the extensive mining that in those days when coal was king in PA which was the early part of the 20th century--mining had been unregulated. So, when a mine fire happened and the ground already stripped for all it's mineral content and left bare--the matter quickly got out of control. I got a chance to know the people of the town and it was sad to see the down vanish to due the mine fire.
A person can have a hot time in the old town of Centralia tonight.....or on any night with the mine fire blazing since 1962. Great video and tour.
Nice! I grew up and my parent still live 40mins from here. Been here a few times before they covered the road up and added all the extra security. Great vid though!
Holy CRAP! Never seen a drone shot of Centralia before. LOVE drone shots. I never knew how extensive the dirt piles were. I was certain that it was only at the entrance.
That was a HUGE job that entailed many many hours of work and many tons of dirt.
Your docos are all awesome. They really stand out. THANK YOU!!!
How creepy...Centralia. I love this presentation. Michael and Jessica have done another awesome showcase.
Found your channel two months ago. Love seeing the locations of my favorite movies.
I'm really surprised the government cleaned up all those buildings, it looks like it was a really big town at one point from some of the photos you shared.
I think it was around 1400 in it's mining hey day.
It was a big town at one time... I'm from PA
At peak a few thousand, but if I recall went down some even before it got cleared out.... Place isn't as bad as made out to be other than people trashing the place.
@@hollydrass9464 I love PA
You had it right. A piece of land with graves on it is called a cemetery. If said land also has a church on it, it’s called a graveyard. Also, the picture of what the highway used to look like in the 80’s was mind blowing. It reminds of the ghost towns out west.
Coffee and grimlife, best combo on a girl's day off.
What about penis?
@@maselm 😂
omg me right now haha
Centralia is like an hour away from where I live.Been here afew times.Great video,Blessed Be :)
This was fascinating. I believe the rock she picked up was actually a piece of slate instead of coal. Coal is generally black instead of grey. Great job on the video!!
My guess would have been Formica.
Do you think a couple of influencer idiots would know the difference between rocks on the ground?
100% that was not coal
Lol it was mica.
Your videos are excellent, boss
So beautiful! I don’t know much about the mine fire, but, being a native Californian, I’m wondering if the fire ever came close to the surface and started wildfires as there is so many trees and brush. That’s my mindset as here in California we have so many fires unfortunately -as you know!
Love your videos. You two rock. Thank you for such awesome shows.
East if the Mississippi everything is very green and wet it rains or snows year round. Its not like CA where just the sun and asphalt cause fires
I love to see GRIMMELIFE out traveling the country and showing us these interesting places.
I love all of your videos and I know you all do a ton of research and editing just to put these together. Thank you for that. This one has to be one of my favorites! Such a great bit of history and as always, the perfect way of presenting all of it. Thank you again for all of your hard work and dedication to bringing all of us you’re awesome video documentaries!
Seriously your better then ghost adventures. A friend of mine went to school with Andrea holzer the daughter of hanz holzer on the files. You guys are great you do it out of passion not the fame and hello again from los Angeles California
Nothing like coffee and a little Grim Life to start your morning ☕+🎃=❤
I have seen the film Silent Hill!!! I love it. I saw a documentary on Chiller called Real Fear and it was about the true stories behind the films. Centralia was featured on there. It is so sad how one town was completely wiped out and there is nothing there. I think the only thing there is a church plus a cemetery.
It's one of many places inspired by silent hill the town that burns 200 years that long time see why nature is taking over looks great place..
I’ve heard this story several times from podcasts, it was fascinating to actually see the place. Thank you!!
This story has always fascinated me so awesome you guys did this!!!
The intro-track to your channel reminds me that I have a place in my heart for Rockabilly and Skiffle.
I love seeing the trees changing colors. Drone shots are great. :)
The cemetery has been revitalized and it's actually located across the range from the church. In case anybody wonders how the fire actually started it was commonplace to burn trash back then and that's where they messed up because the trash pile got blown into one of the entrances and started the fire in the mines
Silent Hill.....The best, most terrifying game for the time. Playing that for the first time on the PS1 back in the day....I seriously had nightmares. I wish Konami followed through with the new one but sadly, it seems like we die hard fans of authentic horror gaming shall never have our day, lol.
We’ve got ventilation shafts all over the city where I live in the Czech Republic. Many years ago they dug under the castle for coal and it partially collapsed; they’ve since rebuilt it. There’s also a slag heap (where they used to dumb the coal waste) which now is covered in trees and has its own microclimate because it’s much warmer than the surrounding area-in fact, it’s still smoldering, and there are still holes in which smoke (and fumes) escapes near the top.
great video the footage is simply flawless (seen almost all the recent footage of Centralia on youtube you’re footage is top notch quality! The story of Centralia, PA is interesting but, also heartbreaking (Stories about Centralia, PA, Time Beach, Missouri and the Danvers State Hospital are 3 very important American tragedies that more people should know about the only way to learn from history is to actually know our history 👍
Your absolutely right!!! Danvers state was incredible.
👍
I live in a town that’s built on top of a salt mine and yeah, living on top of a mine is the real deal. In the 38 years that I’ve been around we’ve dealt with sink holes that caused a neighborhood to get partially bull dozed, gas explosions in which pockets of gas started exploding underground and causing above ground explosions all around the town that actually killed people, they set up ventilation shafts all around the town to remedy that problem. And most recently we have mysterious earthquakes. No one knows if those have anything to do with the salt mines
My wife grew up in the town next to Centralia.
That rock she picked up was definitely shale. I'm from PA and have been to Centralia and other coal areas. Coal isn't flat. Last time I was there it was summer and our feet were on fire by the time we left. Did you see the old fire dept at the end of town, still just sitting? If you are still in PA check out Gettysburg. One of my favorite Haunts.....like seriously that entire town, the fields, it's all haunted.
Your feet were on fire? Damn.
The first priest who was murdered by the Mollies gang cursed the town and said “the only thing standing in the town will be the St. Ignacious Church” 👀 I’d say they are almost there
😮tell me more
Went there about 6 years ago. Loved it. I bet you didn't have any signal for your phone or GPS lol.
Anybody remember the movie with Chevy Chase called NOTHING But Trouble?
This HAS to be Valkenvania!!
So cool. Love from Ga♡
Heckins yes!! And CONGRATS on 200k subs!! Happy Halloween 💀🖤🎃
Hi guys . .being Pennsylvania resident I thoroughly enjoyed this video. U picked a great time to go with the beautiful fall colors we're so well known for. Safe travels ✌❤🙂
Hey guys I live an hour from there love you guys
Great job. Enjoying your informative videos
Glad you got out there , I’ve been wanting to go for a while myself, also yes, Grim Dora for the win
Hi michael Jessica. That Dark Music Playing Reminds Me Of John Carpenters
"The Thing"1982..Cool!!
May62 The Day Centralia Give Up Its Secrets Nasty Place Very Eggy Back Yrs Ago over 1'500 ppl lived and left think there about 3 families...
Yay! 16th!
That town would be an incredible place to go metal-detecting.
Was there many many times only about 25 mins from me it used to be a lot more to see but over the years time and nature took its toll
That was an interesting "devil" on the second stack. The devil of twig and berries. 🤣
You should check out the abandoned pa turnpike and tunnels! It’s off the breezeway exit on the turnpike.