How Anthracite Smothered Centralia, Pennsylvania

Underneath the long-abandoned streets of a remote Pennsylvania town, an inferno scorches the very earth. Centralia was once a booming mining community, but its history and legacy left it incinerated. A mine fire started in an old mining ditch would spread uncontrollably over the span of decades, causing the untimely end of the town. However, what really happened is not immediately clear, causing the story of Centralia to devolve into a confusing quagmire. Studying the intersection of governmental, social, and environmental historical evidence may unravel the mystery. This paper aims to elaborate on the history of Centralia and broader anthracite production, developing an argument that intertwines human industries and environmental traumas. It utilizes historical sources to analyze mining heritage and the emergence of environmental thought in relation to coal production. It excavates the true story of human lives in declining American communities as they contend with the permanent consequences of recklessly harvesting natural resources. Finally, it proposes that the tragedy of Centralia is vital to comprehending that human actions have intense ramifications on the planet when gone unchecked.