Centralia Pennsylvania Then and Now Photography

Centralia PA

Photos of Centralia PA during the 1980's

... and what it looks like Today

1980's era photo's submitted by Daimon Paul.

Above, 139 Locust Ave. (Left) to 129 Locust Ave. (Right) in 1982.

Below is Locust Ave running from left to right at the corner of Wood Street running off into the distance (picture taken from South Street entrance). The block to the left of Wood Street is the block pictured above in 2006. This area was one of the first areas of homes impacted by the fire. The fire had started further straight back from Wood Street (center of left picture below).

Above is the 400 Block of S. Locust Avenue, west side in 1985. The Speed Spot Bike Shop is pictured on the right. Below is the same corner in 2001 with only the Speed Spot remaining. The Speed Spot has since burned to the ground and no remaining structures exist on this block.

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Above, the 700 block of North Locust Ave in 1982. The homes here no longer stands however the tree in front of the corner home is doing well today and has taken over much of the sidewalk. Below, right, looking east on North Street.

Above is the 800 block of N. Paxton Street looking north from North Street in 1986. Below is the same corner looking north on N. Paxton Street in 2005.

Above is the American Legion Post 608 located at the corner of Park Street and Locust Ave. Below is the same corner in 2001. Behind the stone wall was where the American Legion stood. Today all that remains in this lot is a War Memorial and a time capsule to be opened in 2016. Below on Locust Ave (Rt. 61) is a large area of subsidence seen as dark blacktop, which had been recently filled in and re-paved over.

Below, the grounds of the American Legion Post 608.

War Memorial commemorating Centralia War Veterans

Demolition of the Coddington service station and residence on Locust Avenue, November 9, 1981. Below is the location of the Coddington service station, circa 2000.

Above, looking east on East Centre Street in 1986. Below, looking in the same direction on East Center Street in 2006.

Below looking west on Centre Street, same as above in the opposite direction. To the right, below, one of the few remaining structures on Centralia, an abandoned home located at the corner of East Centre Street and an alley. The white home above is currently occupied by one of the few remaining residence of Centralia.

Above, looking south towards the east side of the 500 block of Locust Ave in 1986. Below, the same perspective in 2006.

Above, North Paxton and North Street in 1986. Below the same corner of North Paxton and North Street in in 2005.

Above, Railroad St. looking west from Locust Avenue in 1986. The railroad tracks ran on the strip in middle of street above were removed in 1967. Pictured to the right is a photo of the tracks as they were at the station along this stretch. Below, Railroad St. looking west from Locust Avenue in 2005. The grass in the center of the two streets was the location of the tracks up to 1967 and the strip in the above picture.

Above, South Locust Ave in 1986. Below is the same general area as the picture above. The steeple in the center of the picture is the St. Ignatius Church. Below, left is the old church before it was dismantled.
St. Ignatius Church