Pennsylvania's 'Toxic Ghost Town' Is A Creepy Spot That Looks Like A Real-Life Silent Hill

Haunted houses, chilling abandoned towns, and an eerie atmosphere might sound like a horror movie coming to life, but this Pennsylvania ghost town has a scary history that is nightmare material. The horror story begins in 1962 when the town decided to clean up an abandoned garbage pit by setting fire to it. This led to an underground fire spreading to the mine, causing toxic smoke and dangerous sinkholes, and eventually leading to everyone being evacuated from the once-normal town of Centralia.

Now famous for its haunting sights and mysterious appeal, visiting Centralia is still possible, especially for those interested in its spooky allure. Needless to say, travelers seeking horror are drawn to this ghost town. Said to be haunted by residents who lived there before the fire, the ghost town is a spooky experience but not for the faint of heart. Horror movie enthusiasts might even more excited to visit this American ghost town after finding out that Centralia's abandoned streets, spooky vibe, and foreboding atmosphere inspired 2006 horror movie Silent Hill. 

What started as a small blaze became an uncontrollable fire beneath Centralia's underground mine. Toxic gases were released, forcing residents to evacuate to save themselves as health issues and diseases spread quickly. Thus began Centralia's transformation into a ghost town as the toxic fumes continued to rise, reaching dangerous, unliveable levels. Many of the remaining residents who were previously hesitant to leave their hometown decided it was time when a 150-foot sinkhole opened, putting a 12-year-old boy at risk. While the boy managed to survive, residents felt understandably unsafe. Once home to over 1,000 residents, Centralia is now only home to a few people who refused to leave. Many houses and buildings had to be demolished, creating a creepy, abandoned city and only adding to the eerie charm of the town. To add to the spooky vibe, steam or smoke seems to be coming from the ground.

With foggy, abandoned streets, Centralia was said to have inspired the vibe of Silent Hill, making it even more popular amongst horror fans. But even before it blew up in flames and toxic gases emerged, the town was tarnished with tragedy and horror when the founder of Centralia— Alexander Rae — was murdered in 1868. Legend says his ghost still roams the streets, damning anyone who comes to make fun of his town's ordeal. 

When visiting Centralia, take full advantage of the spooky appeal by strolling through the abandoned roads. No horror scene is complete without visiting an old cemetery, so your first stop should be the Old Fellows Cemetery, where it is said that smoke can be seen rising from the ground, adding to the creepy vibe. The land behind the cemetery is an interesting location, as the effects of the fire can easily be seen through the scorched grounds. 

Despite its toxic past, people can safely visit Centralia, and it has become a popular spot for dark tourism. Walking through the empty streets is possible, although visitors must wear gas masks. A popular tourist attraction in Centralia was the old Graffiti Highway, decorated with artistic demons, devils, and ghouls, adding a fine touch to the horror appeal. Unfortunately, while it used to be the primary highlight of Centralia, this historical landmark is now covered with dirt, covering up the large crack that ran through the middle of the road, which was the biggest evidence of the underground fire's impact. While the Graffiti Highway is no more, walking through the town's deserted streets in gas masks is an absolute must for those interested in ghost towns.