Centralia News

Larry Deklinski/Staff Photo Members of the Nolan's 10-and-under Mount Carmel Area softball team waive American flags during the Kulpmont Memorial Day parade Monday.

Centralia, Columbia County--- The underground mine fire in Centralia has been burning for some 50 years and is still a must see for many people around the world.

In this April 1981 file photo, U.S. Bureau of Mines'' John Stockalis, right, and Dan Lewis drop a thermometer through a hole on Main Street in Centralia, Pa., to measure the heat from a shaft... FILE - In this April 1981 file photo, U.S. Bureau of Mines'' John Stockalis, right, and Dan Lewis drop a thermometer through a hole on Main Street in ... (more)

Sunday was the 50th anniversary of the beginning of a ghost town. On May 27th, 1962 a fire spread to the underground coal deposit under the Pennsylvania town of Centralia.

In this Jan. 26, 1983 file photo, smoke rises from the ground in Centralia, Pa., where and uncontrolled underground mine fire rages.

Fifty years ago on Sunday, a fire at the town dump ignited an exposed coal seam and still burns today.

In this May 24, 2012 photo, David DeKok poses on abandoned Route 61 in Centralia, Pa.

Most of Centralia, Pa. was demolished in the 1980s after the slow-burning fire that began in 1962 spread to the underground network of coal mines.

Members will assemble at the post home at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and donuts. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., Legion members and the Aristes and Wilburton fire companies will proceed to Zion United Cemetery in Aristes, St.