#adventure
Graffiti Highway,is a popular tourist attraction in Centralia, Pennsylvania about two and a half hours northwest of Philadelphia.
The nearly one-mile stretch of Route 61 is a profusion of color in a mostly abandoned ghost town. The story of the Centralia Mine Fire begins in the spring of 1962, when, according to Ripleys.com, the residents were preparing for their Memorial Day festivities.
Thinking the best way to clean up a sprawling, 300-foot landfill would be to set it on fire, they did just that, having no idea the blaze would continue for more than 50 more years. The smoldering fire "latched onto an old coal seam from the mine," explains Ripleys, "and slowly spread throughout the mines under the city."
Over time, a pattern emerged: Fires appeared and then would be doused. But nothing could stop them from coming, and the stench of burnt trash filled the air. Eventually, the town was condemned and now only a handful of residents remain.

Find All Ashland Hotels

Change your mind

Book hotels with free cancellation

deals illustration

Treat yourself

Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels

bed illustration

Be picky

Search almost a million properties worldwide

Find All Ashland Hotels

We have found 214 Ashland Hotels

69b7b1ab-0bbb-4378-80f4-b606b79884a2bd5fdd3d-8eed-4ac9-bfe7-471cb74ea350