Today’s Bloganuary post is based on the prompt: “Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.” Centralia, Pennsylvania, is my answer, mainly because it inspired the classic video game Silent Hill. Read on for more details.

If you are a fan of horror video games, you have probably heard of Silent Hill, the iconic series that debuted in 1999 and spawned several sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations. But did you know that the eerie town of Silent Hill was partly inspired by a real place in Pennsylvania?

Centralia is a near-ghost town in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, that has been burning for over 60 years. Yes, you read that right. Beneath the surface of Centralia lies a coal mine fire that started in 1962 and has never been extinguished. The fire has caused the ground to crack, smoke to rise, and toxic gases to leak, making the town uninhabitable and dangerous.

How did the fire start?

The exact cause of the fire is still a matter of debate, but the most widely accepted theory is that it was ignited by a trash burning that went out of control. In May of 1962, the town council of Centralia decided to burn out the landfill that was located near an abandoned strip mine. However, the fire did not die out as expected, but instead spread to the coal seams that ran underneath the town. The fire then traveled through the network of tunnels and shafts that had been dug by miners over the years.

What happened to the residents?

At first, the fire did not seem to pose a major threat to the town. The residents continued their lives as usual, hoping that the fire would eventually burn itself out. However, as the years passed, the fire grew larger and more unpredictable, creating sinkholes, releasing carbon monoxide, and destroying infrastructure. In 1979, a gas station owner discovered that the temperature of his underground fuel tanks was over 170°F. In 1981, a 12-year-old boy named Todd Domboski fell into a hole that opened up in his backyard, nearly plunging into the inferno below. He was saved by his cousin, who pulled him out by his arms.

The situation became so dire that the state and federal governments intervened, offering to relocate the residents and buy out their properties. By 1992, most of the town’s buildings were demolished and the remaining residents were evicted by eminent domain. However, a few holdouts refused to leave, claiming that they had a right to stay in their homes. As of 2020, only five people still live in Centralia, defying the authorities and the dangers of the fire.

How is it connected to Silent Hill?

The creators of Silent Hill, a team of developers at Konami, were inspired by various sources of horror, including books, movies, and real locations. One of the places that caught their attention was Centralia, which they learned about from a magazine article. They were fascinated by the idea of a town that was haunted by a fire, and decided to incorporate some elements of Centralia into their fictional setting of Silent Hill.

Silent Hill is a resort town in Maine that has a dark history and a mysterious power. The town is shrouded in fog and darkness, and sometimes shifts into a nightmarish alternate dimension, where monsters and twisted creatures roam. The town also has a cult that worships a malevolent deity, and performs rituals to bring about its rebirth. The protagonists of the Silent Hill games are usually drawn to the town by some personal connection, such as a missing person, a letter, or a dream.

While Silent Hill is not an exact replica of Centralia, there are some similarities and references that can be spotted by observant players. For example, in Silent Hill 2, there is a sign that reads “Welcome to Silent Hill” that resembles the one in Centralia. In Silent Hill 3, there is a level that takes place in an abandoned coal mine, where the walls are charred and the air is filled with ash. In Silent Hill: Origins, there is a newspaper article that mentions a fire that started in a landfill and spread to the coal mines. In Silent Hill: Homecoming, there is a town called Shepherd’s Glen that is also plagued by a fire that burns underground.

Why is Centralia so fascinating?

Centralia is a unique and tragic example of how a small incident can have devastating consequences. It is also a testament to the resilience and stubbornness of the human spirit, as some people choose to stay in their homes despite the danger and the isolation. Centralia has become a source of curiosity and inspiration for many people, who visit the town to see the remnants of its past and the signs of its ongoing fire. Centralia has also become a symbol of horror and mystery, as it evokes a sense of fear and wonder in those who imagine what lies beneath the surface.

Centralia is not only a real place, but also a part of pop culture, thanks to its connection to Silent Hill. The video game series has introduced millions of players to the story of Centralia, and has made them question the nature of reality and the power of the mind. Centralia and Silent Hill are both places that challenge our perception of the world, and invite us to explore the unknown.