Really nice vid. Better than most others I have seen. I spent a lot of time in Centralia when I was a kid. You actually went down to those old shacks off the road heading down to Big Mine Run, which most explorers don't bother to do. I believe there are some old pigeon coops along there as well. One thing I noticed - Route 61 was never a bypass of Centralia. It went right into town as you can tell from the ends of where it's blocked off (I'm just nitpicking, hehe). You're right about the scumbags dumping around there. Can't for the life of me remember what that was at about 47:50. Anyway, great job and you've got a new subscriber.
Actually I believe it was the inspiration for the church that you see in the film I do not believe it is the same church I could be wrong though I would have to look into it
Doctor Death, we regret to inform you that your statement is completely wrong, dead wrong. You just made that up. Silent Hill was filmed in Canada, there was no church, just a set of steps leading up to it was real and that was on a sound stage.
@@scrilla2376 correct Avary used Centralia, Pennsylvania as an inspiration for the town. Filming began in February 2005 with an estimated $50 million budget and was shot on sound sets and on location in Canada (Brantford, Ontario and Hamilton, Ontario).
The Oddfellows are a fraternal group, like the Redmen, Elks, Moose, and so on. The flowers that smelled nice near that cemetery were wisteria. I loved the snakes, and I loved the old cars at 22:30. Like others have said, the audio is definitely not in sync with the video. The street the church is on leads to another town called Ariste, according to the map. That's a part of Conyngham Township, according to what I've read. Excellent video. I enjoyed your video more than others I've seen of Centralia. Thanks.
I really enjoyed the treck. 😯 Please exercise caution before placing hand in Earth-holes, "They aren't all Black Racers" Scared me! You'd be fund to explore with, you have a vast knowledge of the vegetation and critters. Thanks so for sharing! ---------------------- Afterthought: I would encourage a Fundraiser and State Grant, to relocate the Cemetary. The hot earth under there is most disturbing. Truly sad. Science must task a solution to cease the burning, or at minimum, use the energy. Best Wellbeing everyone ... Beth Tennessee, USA
I was watching another video on centralia recently. a young girl was fliming and saw a bunch of garbage laying around, she thought they should burn it to get rid of it, lol. Not sure she knew how the coal mine fire started in the first place
I love exploring old Cemetery's. I always check out the graves where Veterans are buried. Serving in the U.S.Air Force for 24 yrs, it is good to pay respects to those who defended this country.
I was in Centralia three days ago. I'm from East Tennessee and this place is fascinating and creepy at the same time. The graffiti highway is worth the trip. I love PA.
The Oddfellows are a men's fraternity. At least back in the day you would have had to be a Oddfellow to be buried there. Members who also couldn't afford a burial would also be buried there as a fraternal aid to a brother in need.
Your video made me extremely curious, and I was able to find a really nice documentary on the history of the town and the people who still live there. It's such a mind blowing thing, seeing pictures of the town from the 70's and 80's and comparing them to the footage you shared. How quickly nature will just take back and erase any signs that humans once lived somewhere... Thank you very much for helping me to learn about something new today and God bless.
Your are correct about people making videos aboutthe town with no clue about it....I'm from the town live in Ashland if you want true info about the town send me a message..👍👍
that garage with all the old cars is my buddys place...i hang out there from time to time ..the blue and white car is a 59 ford..the white one is a 65 merc...and a whole bunch of others
The people living there now are only there as per a life contract. Once they die, the city takes the land. The contract is only available to the original signee, if you are a brother/spouse/descendant, you don't count unless the house was willed to you in trust as an estate.
@@SpaceGhost999 It was finally decided that the People that still own Property in Centralia would be permitted to live there until they died. Once they died their Property would then be confiscated by the Government and not be allowed to be Willed to their Heirs. I can only speculate on why John Lokitis got booted prior to this Agreement.
Maybe that large pavement was part of playground at schools. I think there was an elementary & high school at some point. Great video, new fan. Nice to find someone exploring the area rather than just being there for the Silent Hill/gawk factor.
this is very interesting. thanks for sharing your video; you do a good job w looking for details and explaining. I will never see this stuff in person, appreciate exploring via videos, such as yours. . :)
Yes, those lilac flowers are wisteria blossoms, the front of my house is covered in them in the summer, they take years to mature enough to produce flowers, but they are with waiting for. Really cool snake.
That is Oddfellows cemetery in the dirt parking area. The Saint Ignatius Elementary school was in that location, and just North in the same lot was the baseball field.
Centralia is that ghost town that you need to treat as a treasure hunt. Touring the town I found true old park by West Park Street. The remains of the swing sets still there as of March. I was there in March as well. I also found the date of 1946 one block uphill and across the street from the "car hiuse." It is uprooted by a tree.
As a native Pennsylvanian, we live in a big and interesting state. I lived all over the country and travel for work, but feel at home in good ol PA. I appreciate Wandering Woodsman’s enthusiasm for PA.
I know that area well! My father grew up in Mount Carmel so we went through there often! I love ❤️ the church on the hills! I enjoy your videos I love ❤️ to learn about Pennsylvania!
I lived in Lavelle which is essentially connected to the west of Ashland. Centralia is only 11 miles north of Lavelle. I would go and dig for bottles in Centralia. I found quite a few good Examples. Excellent video Despite the audio/ video sync issue.👍
I know this will be a morbid type of comment. regarding the cemetery, have to wonder beneath was the fires, from what I read were a high 400-500 degrees.. You have to wonder about the bodies in the caskets, etc. I I mean there had to have been some sort of odor during this time as well. unless it was not underneath the cemetery.
A LONG time ago--probably before you were born--escaping coal gas, resulted in continuous, roaring flames, 6 feet high, behind one of the cemeteries (St. Marys?). This caused an old-timer to quip: "Where can you get both buried and cremated for the same price? Centralia, of course." Actually, it smells just like pork. Don't ask me how I know.
yeah the snake struck at you because it was getting ready to shed and during shedding they are a little testy. google map images for this area are about 2014-15, my car is in it and I got it January 2014 and my neighbors truck is in it and they got rid of it in 2015.
Can’t say enough about your videos. I am from w pa when i retire planning on exploring pa first . Great insight as to where to explore and camp. Thanks👍
Also carbon monoxide can make you pass out or potentially die. And the houses were torn down. Thank you for showing us the actual fossils. Sometimes things like that will be mentioned but not shown.
Remember that someone fell through a burned out hollow in their backyard and if they hadn't held onto tree roots and been pulled up by friends and family nearby at a family gathering he would have fallen down into the very hot depths.
Correct. 1981. Was a youngster in his grandma's backyard, he was rescued by his cousin. Also a gas station had its underground tanks explode in the town in 1979.
@@Igloo3471 Wow, thank you. I always feel lucky to read a comment from someone who experienced such events firsthand. I'm glad that he was saved by his quick thinking cousin. It must have taken sheer bravery to pull someone out of such a place.
That slanted equipment at 27:03 *looks* like a coal loading chute ... the mined coal would be dumped in the top by a loader, slide down the chute, and into a transport truck.
It takes one of us coal region natives to recognize a coal chute when we see one. We are a rare (and dying) breed I'm afraid. Those were common in Pine Grove, PA back in the day.
What I find interesting is I see quite a few mini documentaries on Centralia like this, but most of the old documentaries that people learned about it from featured that one guy. He did that documentary doing a tour and talking about the history and the residents his grand parents. No one asks! no one even drives by his house. Is he still there? is he still maintaining most of what's left single handedly? Pictures of a church? That guy cutting the grass in half the town was far more interesting than a church. If I were doing a story or even visiting Centralia that's the guy I'd be looking for immediately. Yet not a single video do I find where anyone even mentions him. Most people wouldn't have their own videos or even know about Centrailia if not for the media attention he created. Did the government evict him and tear down his grandparents house? What happened? Where are the props? No! folks just go through and vandalize the place! Gotta say it's damn interesting how everyone yaps about respect. They have no clue what that is.
Want a story? If that guy is still there an still doing what he did? Hes gotta be in his 50s and maintained this town for well over 20 years. If he's not then it's entirely possible that the government evicted him and bulldozed his entire family history. Those are stories!!!!!!! Those are viral stories!
To my knowledge, the gentleman that was interviewed during the documentary no longer lives there. I believe he moved out ( probably not by his doing) in 2009. The documentary is called The town that was. Very educational for people interested in Centralia.
His name is John Lokitis jr., he was forced out a decade ago and his house demolished. He now lives in Ashland pa, a few miles south of Centralia. The Womer house, close to the dump and Oddfellows was torn down a couple of years ago. Centralia is now down to 4 houses and maybe 6 residents.
Not too long ago the state cracked down on trespassers to old route 61 because someone tried holding a downhill plastic Barbie Jeep race down the hill and a 1000 people were expected to show. It made the paper. The state has since relinquished its rights to the property and is owned by an entity in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.. to the best of my knowledge that is. I’ve toured the place on a mountain bike already I think maybe I’ll do it on foot next time. You’ve captured a lot. I live about an hour south of there.
Pennsylvania Dual Sport a lot of staties were around the area for a while but it has since died down because of all the vandalism and whatnot, they figure there’s no point in protecting an already ruined area
I hope you are checking for ticks all the time. Deerv tick country and Central PA is a hot bed of Lymes. Nice video. I want to join you for some fossil hunting when I get back from Thaialnd. I live very near you in Hummlestown area.
The area that you mentioned being fenced off but didn't know why was done because of several subsidences in the 1980's if I remember correctly. They tore down several houses then fenced the area off to keep people out.
That first black snake was getting ready to shed.. It was blind from the loose skin. That's why it kept flicking it's tongue in and out. It was trying to detect a threat from a predator. They're in a vulnerable state when they're like that. I work with a guy who says his friend still lives there. They wouldn't move.
Wait, is that really a guy and not a snake? Try using a new paragraph when switching subjects; your high school English teacher would be proud of you if you did.😂
Rattlesnakes babies emerge in April roughly and try and survive till October above ground. I would recomend carrying eastern diamond back rattlesnake anti-venom if you hike those areas in Pa during those months. What I say next is debated, but through experience I say Baby rattlesnakes are significantly more dangerous than the adults. Adults have learned how to control their venom release. For non-prey they may release little to no venom as a warning bite. Baby rattlers don't know to do this. They release every drop they have on the first bite. You may think some brambles got you till your heart starts racing and where the "brambles" got you bleeds like crazy. Then massive trouble. You won't die without anti-venom if ems arrives. After what I have experienced it is better to carry the small kit than risk it
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.
That is Wisteris.We had some planted on an arbor out front our house and we didnt know they had seed pods that literally shoot shot seeds at the windows!
I agree a lot of the videos are not true. I was there 15 years ago and only found 2 smoke holes, and they werent really pumping. Down the road at the other mine fire they were quite active back then. If you can't remmeber the name, like I can't, it is a difficult google search. Try historical mine fires in Pennsylvania. A fascinating rabbit hole
A lot of rain is an understatement. I am impressed you can still make as many videos as you do with the rains we have in Pa. I can't even get consistent lawn cuttings in. Some of our local river are 20' above normal which is crazy for us here in Pennsylvania. I am sure you would agree!!
To those people it was amazing 25 years back. It became reclaimed quickly by nature. Plants with shallow roots first then as the fire stopped in places deeper rooted trees and such. It's not like the internet hype because all of that was old.
What sort of snake was that guys ? Where I live in Australia we have eaasten browns thar look similar but hade more a bronze gold look to them but they can get dark like that and they are deadly . We also have red belly blacks and they are too seems like it it’s a snake here it’s very dangerous
There were probably old walkways that the tombstones were aligned with. Old graveyards were made to be like a park, with decorative trees and plantings and benches for gatherings of visitors. It was not uncommon for people to visit loved ones every Sunday, so there could be quite a turnout after church.
The spot where you refer to the 'village green' is Railroad Street. the strip where there is now only grass was the train tracks' location, one lane of traffic each way on either side of the line. The slightly wider segment is where the depot stood.
Those abandoned buildings as the first I've seen them and I think you're right that area that was fenced off is where the ground collapsed in that on to the mine fire
My cousin lives in Huntington County Pa, and he told me that the copperheads seem to be overly abundant this year which doesn't make him too happy. He said he prefers rattlesnakes (which he also sees) because they try to get away from people and dogs and of course rattle if you get to close whereas the copperheads will just lay still and are much more likely to strike and more aggressive.
My second cousin did the appraisals for the state when they bought the people's properties also in the history of Centralia the man that designed the town was murdered by the Molly Maguires
that first snake was more nervous than usual because he's about to shed and cant see well. the second one was finishing shedding and his eyes were clear.
Was it just me or is the audio and video extremely off timing. Seemed like almost 5 seconds? I have to believe it's not just me......
Yeah, it was kind of annoying.
Yeah i saw that too
Big deal.@@ChristopherKaltSrVideos
Glad it isn't just me lol
Had to open the same video in to tabs and sync up the audio and visual, annoying but best work around.
Thanks for sharing
Hi Diane hope you’re okay?
Really nice vid. Better than most others I have seen. I spent a lot of time in Centralia when I was a kid. You actually went down to those old shacks off the road heading down to Big Mine Run, which most explorers don't bother to do. I believe there are some old pigeon coops along there as well. One thing I noticed - Route 61 was never a bypass of Centralia. It went right into town as you can tell from the ends of where it's blocked off (I'm just nitpicking, hehe). You're right about the scumbags dumping around there. Can't for the life of me remember what that was at about 47:50. Anyway, great job and you've got a new subscriber.
Really enjoyed that thanks. Thanks for taking me along
20:21 snake number 2 looks like a long tree limb, but just glad they aren't poisonous. Stay safe out there Cliff 🙂💥👍💥
That church was used in the filming of Silent Hill
I thought it looked like the same church. Wasn't sure though.
Actually I believe it was the inspiration for the church that you see in the film I do not believe it is the same church I could be wrong though I would have to look into it
@@bubbaparrish1454 right, Silent Hill was filmed in Canada.
Doctor Death, we regret to inform you that your statement is completely wrong, dead wrong. You just made that up. Silent Hill was filmed in Canada, there was no church, just a set of steps leading up to it was real and that was on a sound stage.
@@scrilla2376 correct Avary used Centralia, Pennsylvania as an inspiration for the town. Filming began in February 2005 with an estimated $50 million budget and was shot on sound sets and on location in Canada (Brantford, Ontario and Hamilton, Ontario).
So glad I found this. Ive been fascinated with this weird burning city
thanks for the video as i have no way to go there myself looks like a fun place to explore though
The Oddfellows are a fraternal group, like the Redmen, Elks, Moose, and so on. The flowers that smelled nice near that cemetery were wisteria. I loved the snakes, and I loved the old cars at 22:30. Like others have said, the audio is definitely not in sync with the video. The street the church is on leads to another town called Ariste, according to the map. That's a part of Conyngham Township, according to what I've read. Excellent video. I enjoyed your video more than others I've seen of Centralia. Thanks.
I really enjoyed the treck.
😯 Please exercise caution before placing hand in Earth-holes, "They aren't all Black Racers" Scared me!
You'd be fund to explore with, you have a vast knowledge of the vegetation and critters.
Thanks so for sharing!
----------------------
Afterthought:
I would encourage a Fundraiser and State Grant, to relocate the Cemetary. The hot earth under there is most disturbing. Truly sad.
Science must task a solution to cease the burning, or at minimum, use the energy.
Best Wellbeing everyone ...
Beth
Tennessee, USA
Hi Beth hope you’re okay?
Thanks Cliff.
Black Racer getting ready to shed his skin. That’s why he was gray. You can see it on his eyes.
I want to take a trip out there. Are these back roads easy to access?
Ashley Dunlap yes masm
@ 21:18 Is where the ground gave way and a boy fell in
Fossils??? Go to WASHINGTON DC!!!! You'll find plenty of live ones!!!!!
Snakes are not poisonous. They are venomous.
Did they ever try to flood the mines?
That snake was in fact a black racer it was a bit defensive because it was in shed notice the cloudy eyes
12:57 beautiful snake
Poor Buzz (toy story)
I would take my metal detector,
The remaining church is a Ukrainian catholic church.....
Did you notice how clouded the eyes were on that black racer he was getting just getting ready to shed shortly
Saw that.
Yep
He was quite Healthy.
I was watching another video on centralia recently. a young girl was fliming and saw a bunch of garbage laying around, she thought they should burn it to get rid of it, lol. Not sure she knew how the coal mine fire started in the first place
I love exploring old Cemetery's. I always check out the graves where Veterans are buried. Serving in the U.S.Air Force for 24 yrs, it is good to pay respects to those who defended this country.
Not a veteran myself, but I always walk along and fix flags and stand the badges back up of Veteran gravestones. Thank you for your service.
Definitely wisteria near the Oddfellows Cemetery.
Nah it's blisteria
I was in Centralia three days ago. I'm from East Tennessee and this place is fascinating and creepy at the same time. The graffiti highway is worth the trip. I love PA.
The Oddfellows are a men's fraternity. At least back in the day you would have had to be a Oddfellow to be buried there. Members who also couldn't afford a burial would also be buried there as a fraternal aid to a brother in need.
Your video made me extremely curious, and I was able to find a really nice documentary on the history of the town and the people who still live there. It's such a mind blowing thing, seeing pictures of the town from the 70's and 80's and comparing them to the footage you shared. How quickly nature will just take back and erase any signs that humans once lived somewhere...
Thank you very much for helping me to learn about something new today and God bless.
i think since 2009 no one lives there anymore.
hmmm, maybe some do....
Graffiti Highway is now covered with dirt
Your are correct about people making videos aboutthe town with no clue about it....I'm from the town live in Ashland if you want true info about the town send me a message..👍👍
@zac don't care wtf is your problem schizo?
that garage with all the old cars is my buddys place...i hang out there from time to time ..the blue and white car is a 59 ford..the white one is a 65 merc...and a whole bunch of others
Neat.
I'm just curious, even though I know I'll probably not get an answer, but why are some people allowed to stay, while John Lokitis was booted?
The people living there now are only there as per a life contract. Once they die, the city takes the land. The contract is only available to the original signee, if you are a brother/spouse/descendant, you don't count unless the house was willed to you in trust as an estate.
@@SpaceGhost999 It was finally decided that the People that still own Property in Centralia would be permitted to live there until they died. Once they died their Property would then be confiscated by the Government and not be allowed to be Willed to their Heirs. I can only speculate on why John Lokitis got booted prior to this Agreement.
The circles painted in the big park area is the remains of basketball courts.
I believe they could have stopped the coal fire for about $20,000.00 but govt procrastinated so long that the fire became uncontrollable.
Thank you for being respectful of the people who still live there.
Do you live there?
@@lorenzogill7197 No, I do not.
Maybe that large pavement was part of playground at schools. I think there was an elementary & high school at some point. Great video, new fan. Nice to find someone exploring the area rather than just being there for the Silent Hill/gawk factor.
Hi Rosemary hope you’re okay?
this is very interesting. thanks for sharing your video; you do a good job w looking for details and explaining. I will never see this stuff in person, appreciate exploring via videos, such as yours. . :)
Hi Sandra hope you’re okay?
It’s a Ukrainian Catholic Church not Russian Orthodox
Yes, those lilac flowers are wisteria blossoms, the front of my house is covered in them in the summer, they take years to mature enough to produce flowers, but they are with waiting for. Really cool snake.
That is Oddfellows cemetery in the dirt parking area. The Saint Ignatius Elementary school was in that location, and just North in the same lot was the baseball field.
Centralia is that ghost town that you need to treat as a treasure hunt. Touring the town I found true old park by West Park Street. The remains of the swing sets still there as of March. I was there in March as well. I also found the date of 1946 one block uphill and across the street from the "car hiuse." It is uprooted by a tree.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church
As a native Pennsylvanian, we live in a big and interesting state. I lived all over the country and travel for work, but feel at home in good ol PA. I appreciate Wandering Woodsman’s enthusiasm for PA.
Best exploring video so far of centralia. You dont bs and act like some immature child, your information is concise and awesoem!
Hi Nancy hope you’re okay?
Careful. You’re gonna cause a mine fire with those glasses
I know that area well! My father grew up in Mount Carmel so we went through there often! I love ❤️ the church on the hills! I enjoy your videos I love ❤️ to learn about Pennsylvania!
I lived in Lavelle which is essentially connected to the west of Ashland.
Centralia is only 11 miles north of Lavelle.
I would go and dig for bottles in Centralia.
I found quite a few good
Examples.
Excellent video
Despite the audio/ video sync issue.👍
I know this will be a morbid type of comment. regarding the cemetery, have to wonder beneath was the fires, from what I read were a high 400-500 degrees.. You have to wonder about the bodies in the caskets, etc. I I mean there had to have been some sort of odor during this time as well. unless it was not underneath the cemetery.
They say it smells like hamburger but you never know.
A LONG time ago--probably before you were born--escaping coal gas, resulted in continuous, roaring flames, 6 feet high, behind one of the cemeteries (St. Marys?). This caused an old-timer to quip: "Where can you get both buried and cremated for the same price? Centralia, of course." Actually, it smells just like pork. Don't ask me how I know.
@@577buttfan 🤣🤣 They tried to open up a Bar-B-Q Pit restaurant at that site, but the city voted it down.
Wood and coal won't burn until they reach 400 degrees.
There’s an interview here on YT with a geologist who says the cemeteries are protected from the fire by a natural underground layer of rock.
yeah the snake struck at you because it was getting ready to shed and during shedding they are a little testy. google map images for this area are about 2014-15, my car is in it and I got it January 2014 and my neighbors truck is in it and they got rid of it in 2015.
People who graffiti are lowlifes. It is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $250 fine in PA.
The entire "graffiti highway" has been covered in about half-foot of dirt. No reason to trespass any more.
Can’t say enough about your videos. I am from w pa when i retire planning on exploring pa first . Great insight as to where to explore and camp. Thanks👍
Also carbon monoxide can make you pass out or potentially die. And the houses were torn down. Thank you for showing us the actual fossils. Sometimes things like that will be mentioned but not shown.
Remember that someone fell through a burned out hollow in their backyard and if they hadn't held onto tree roots and been pulled up by friends and family nearby at a family gathering he would have fallen down into the very hot depths.
maybe ancient underground coal fires led to the idea for Hell? Seriously.
Correct. 1981. Was a youngster in his grandma's backyard, he was rescued by his cousin.
Also a gas station had its underground tanks explode in the town in 1979.
@@Igloo3471 Wow, thank you. I always feel lucky to read a comment from someone who experienced such events firsthand. I'm glad that he was saved by his quick thinking cousin. It must have taken sheer bravery to pull someone out of such a place.
@@joejones9520 Yes, and it would be interesting to listen for any accounts of noxious fumes coming from such early portrayals of hell.
@@Igloo3471 The gas station didn't explode. The gas tanks were drained & filled with water, and the station closed in 1979.
The tombstones must be askew because of the fire below. Thanks for visiting.
It's great to see something that isn't the same thing everyone else has done countless times.
That slanted equipment at 27:03 *looks* like a coal loading chute ... the mined coal would be dumped in the top by a loader, slide down the chute, and into a transport truck.
It takes one of us coal region natives to recognize a coal chute when we see one. We are a rare (and dying) breed I'm afraid. Those were common in Pine Grove, PA back in the day.
From the Google Maps it looks like that church is 'Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary' the grave yard behind is 'Saint Marys Orthordox Cemetery'.
there's an old coal mine in the hills around Mansfield/tioga that's been burning fro years but that's natural gas....
Oodd fellows used to be a secret society similar to the Masonic Lodge. I wonder if that cemetery name had anything to do with that
Wild Wisteria they are beautiful. When draped over an arch or walkway its lovely
Absolutely loved your video! Been there many many times! One of my favorite places to visit. Very tranquil and serene. Thank you for sharing!
my granfather worked for that mine, he took us there right after the fire started back in 63 (I was 10 years old)
Lots of information, good video, good audio (bummer it's out of sync), but good enough to watch all the way through.
Toy Story Buzz Lightyear
The ground can suddenly collapse under you in Ashland, if you walk over an area that has had a coal seam burn away underneath.
Great video!
What day of the week was this filmed? Lucky to be alone there.
It was a Monday morning
What I find interesting is I see quite a few mini documentaries on Centralia like this, but most of the old documentaries that people learned about it from featured that one guy. He did that documentary doing a tour and talking about the history and the residents his grand parents. No one asks! no one even drives by his house. Is he still there? is he still maintaining most of what's left single handedly? Pictures of a church? That guy cutting the grass in half the town was far more interesting than a church. If I were doing a story or even visiting Centralia that's the guy I'd be looking for immediately. Yet not a single video do I find where anyone even mentions him. Most people wouldn't have their own videos or even know about Centrailia if not for the media attention he created. Did the government evict him and tear down his grandparents house? What happened? Where are the props? No! folks just go through and vandalize the place! Gotta say it's damn interesting how everyone yaps about respect. They have no clue what that is.
Want a story? If that guy is still there an still doing what he did? Hes gotta be in his 50s and maintained this town for well over 20 years. If he's not then it's entirely possible that the government evicted him and bulldozed his entire family history. Those are stories!!!!!!! Those are viral stories!
I read recently that he has now moved out of Centralia. The last house has been demolished or is in the process of demolition.
To my knowledge, the gentleman that was interviewed during the documentary no longer lives there.
I believe he moved out ( probably not by his doing) in 2009.
The documentary is called The town that was.
Very educational for people interested in Centralia.
His name is John Lokitis jr., he was forced out a decade ago and his house demolished. He now lives in Ashland pa, a few miles south of Centralia. The Womer house, close to the dump and Oddfellows was torn down a couple of years ago. Centralia is now down to 4 houses and maybe 6 residents.
Love watching your videos!
Thanks
Not too long ago the state cracked down on trespassers to old route 61 because someone tried holding a downhill plastic Barbie Jeep race down the hill and a 1000 people were expected to show. It made the paper. The state has since relinquished its rights to the property and is owned by an entity in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.. to the best of my knowledge that is.
I’ve toured the place on a mountain bike already I think maybe I’ll do it on foot next time. You’ve captured a lot. I live about an hour south of there.
Oh and in that building at 24:54 I found a newspaper from 1987 that was still mainly intact.
Pennsylvania Dual Sport a lot of staties were around the area for a while but it has since died down because of all the vandalism and whatnot, they figure there’s no point in protecting an already ruined area
Didn't the fire start in a pit behind Oddfellows cemetery?
It did, indeed...
I hope you are checking for ticks all the time. Deerv tick country and Central PA is a hot bed of Lymes. Nice video. I want to join you for some fossil hunting when I get back from Thaialnd. I live very near you in Hummlestown area.
The area that you mentioned being fenced off but didn't know why was done because of several subsidences in the 1980's if I remember correctly. They tore down several houses then fenced the area off to keep people out.
That first black snake was getting ready to shed.. It was blind from the loose skin. That's why it kept flicking it's tongue in and out. It was trying to detect a threat from a predator. They're in a vulnerable state when they're like that. I work with a guy who says his friend still lives there. They wouldn't move.
Wait, is that really a guy and not a snake? Try using a new paragraph when switching subjects; your high school English teacher would be proud of you if you did.😂
@@Fandango541 way to be an ass. We aren't here for an English lesson. I bet you are just a joy to be around?🙄
Rattlesnakes babies emerge in April roughly and try and survive till October above ground. I would recomend carrying eastern diamond back rattlesnake anti-venom if you hike those areas in Pa during those months. What I say next is debated, but through experience I say Baby rattlesnakes are significantly more dangerous than the adults. Adults have learned how to control their venom release. For non-prey they may release little to no venom as a warning bite. Baby rattlers don't know to do this. They release every drop they have on the first bite. You may think some brambles got you till your heart starts racing and where the "brambles" got you bleeds like crazy. Then massive trouble. You won't die without anti-venom if ems arrives. After what I have experienced it is better to carry the small kit than risk it
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.
That is Wisteris.We had some planted on an arbor out front our house and we didnt know they had seed pods that literally shoot shot seeds at the windows!
Hi Dianna hope you’re okay?
I agree a lot of the videos are not true. I was there 15 years ago and only found 2 smoke holes, and they werent really pumping. Down the road at the other mine fire they were quite active back then. If you can't remmeber the name, like I can't, it is a difficult google search. Try historical mine fires in Pennsylvania. A fascinating rabbit hole
A lot of rain is an understatement. I am impressed you can still make as many videos as you do with the rains we have in Pa. I can't even get consistent lawn cuttings in. Some of our local river are 20' above normal which is crazy for us here in Pennsylvania. I am sure you would agree!!
I walked to a swimming hole in western NJ last August. What would normally be dusty trails were muddy quagmires!
Souther New Jersey has marsh fires that burn for years underground and pop up in muskrat and beaver dens
Hi Charlotte hope you’re okay?
To those people it was amazing 25 years back. It became reclaimed quickly by nature. Plants with shallow roots first then as the fire stopped in places deeper rooted trees and such. It's not like the internet hype because all of that was old.
love hearing the northern parula song at around 13:06!
Those flowers in the cemetery are called wisteria. They are popular in the South.
What sort of snake was that guys ? Where I live in Australia we have eaasten browns thar look similar but hade more a bronze gold look to them but they can get dark like that and they are deadly . We also have red belly blacks and they are too seems like it it’s a snake here it’s very dangerous
The snake is in 'blue' and ready to shed, hence the eye color and very light milky color of it's skin. Cool video!
Hi Barb hope you’re okay?
Are you originally from Carlisle? And which one you think is the most excitement that you've been at?
There were probably old walkways that the tombstones were aligned with. Old graveyards were made to be like a park, with decorative trees and plantings and benches for gatherings of visitors. It was not uncommon for people to visit loved ones every Sunday, so there could be quite a turnout after church.
The spot where you refer to the 'village green' is Railroad Street. the strip where there is now only grass was the train tracks' location, one lane of traffic each way on either side of the line. The slightly wider segment is where the depot stood.
Those abandoned buildings as the first I've seen them and I think you're right that area that was fenced off is where the ground collapsed in that on to the mine fire
They covered the rainbow road and you can get in trouble if you get caught now. Just saying...
The snakes are really coming out this year. I seem to be stumbling on them more then usual
My cousin lives in Huntington County Pa, and he told me that the copperheads seem to be overly abundant this year which doesn't make him too happy. He said he prefers rattlesnakes (which he also sees) because they try to get away from people and dogs and of course rattle if you get to close whereas the copperheads will just lay still and are much more likely to strike and more aggressive.
Yeah i hate copperheads,them are nasty buggers!!!@@alphaone101
I was reading where the graffiti Hwy was demolished in April 2020.
I was in Centralia yesterday, they dumped like 400 truckloads of dump there and now is sealed off
The audio-visual is off. It's like I'm watching an old karate flick.
My second cousin did the appraisals for the state when they bought the people's properties also in the history of Centralia the man that designed the town was murdered by the Molly Maguires
It's not poison...awww krykie!!
Goodway to find snakes in the holes. lolI've heard they were dumping more dirt on the graffitti highway to discourage the trespassers
The Church on the hill is a Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church. It is not Russian..
It's the only church left in Centralia
How come there are times your lips aren't moving yet i hear you talking
i know right david? lol
that first snake was more nervous than usual because he's about to shed and cant see well. the second one was finishing shedding and his eyes were clear.
Born in mt Carmel, know Centralia well. Grew up there in 70s through 80s