IN FOCUS: Here's a leisurely look at downtown Centralia from above on Tuesday afternoon. | The Chronicle

The Centralia Lighted Tractor Parade! The beloved local tradition courses through downtown Centralia in this video from Chronicle photographer Otto Rabe. | The Chronicle

Frank Rowekamp, age 41, arrived at the Centralia No. 5 coal mine in Illinois at 3:27 PM on March 25, 1947, three minutes after a massive explosion had ripped through the mine, trapping 142 miners underground including Frank's two sons—William age 19 and Robert age 21. Frank had been home sick that day, his first missed shift in three months. His sons had gone to work without him. Now Frank stood at the mine entrance watching black smoke pour from the shaft, hearing screams from underground, and

The Town on Fire for 60 Years 🔥 Centralia 📍Pennsylvania #centralia #pennsylvania #mine #minefire #burningtown #fire #burn #ghosttown #country #mystery #usa #unitedstates #map #maps #geography | Geoglobetales