This "Burning Town” Is Thriving episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 11, 2026 · 17 MIN

This "Burning Town” Is Thriving

from The Atlas Obscura Podcast · host SiriusXM Podcasts & Atlas Obscura

Centralia, Pennsylvania has attained a sort of cult favorite status, often discussed as a place you cannot and should not visit. But in this episode, writer and friend of the show Colin Dickey has a different take on this ghost town. He says Centralia is thriving and has a new lush chapter – despite "burning" for the past 45 years.Read Colin's latest piece about Centralia on Atlas Obscura HERE.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Centralia, Pennsylvania has attained a sort of cult favorite status, often discussed as a place you cannot and should not visit. But in this episode, writer and friend of the show Colin Dickey has a different take on this ghost town. He says Centralia is thriving and has a new lush chapter – despite "burning" for the past 45 years.

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This "Burning Town” Is Thriving

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This episode was published on February 11, 2026.

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Centralia, Pennsylvania has attained a sort of cult favorite status, often discussed as a place you cannot and should not visit. But in this episode, writer and friend of the show Colin Dickey has a different take on this ghost town. He says...

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