Centralia - Full Documentary
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 เม.ย. 2014
- The documentary about Centralia, "The town that was"
I do not own the video.
For more info: thetownthatwas.com
CNN article: edition.cnn.com/travel/articl...
Let me know if you have some recent footage from Centralia on TH-cam and I will link it/pin it. Thanks.
I grew up in cape may, NJ which is a seasonal beach resort town at the bottom tip of the state. I can remember when hurricane sandy hit and I couldn't believe that people were staying. when morning came, I saw my hometown covered in so much sand that only the tops of the street signs were visible in the roads; you couldn't see the poles that held those signs. that's how much sand there was in the streets. I cried because I thought what I always knew and loved and all the memories I had made would be gone. when all settled, so many people said that they stayed because it was their town and no man or force of nature would have them leave.
that's the way I feel about this guy. you love something so deeply and all your memories are wrapped up in that one place and it's so hard to let go of that. I'm sure that's how he felt!
so did you stay after the hurricane ?
Ashley Klug I agree Ashley. How sad for him and everyone who lived there for so long. Their homes and a lifetime of memories were destroyed. My heart goes out to ALL of them.
jose rose I did evacuate before the storm hit and we were able to return to our property the day after the storm passed. luckily our property didn't suffer any damage because we're at the center of town but those along beach avenue and close to the sea wall suffered a lot of damage
Cool, I use to go there when i lived in Atlantic City. Whenever I go back tk NJ, it just looks worse and worse. It's a shame because landscape-wise, it's a beautiful state, especially along the coast.
Ashley Klug hi I'm from Australia🇦🇺
We have a lot of mining that goes on in our country.
The mining companies never calculate correctly how much restoration is going to be needed after it dries up so to speak.
They either do that or become insolvent call bankruptcy and don't have to pay a cent, they let all the workers go with not much forward monies for them at all.
The whole thing is corrupt our government gives too much away in favour of the mining companies all the time.
So much needs to be fixed, corrected or just completely re-do as is unable to be bought back to how it once was.
Terrible state of affairs. All sides of the world seems to be the same.
It's such a shame.
😊
John is no longer there. He now lives in a neighboring town. Wishing him the best. Hope he and all the townspeople have found happiness.
This is just messed up
Really? the Govt had to come in and forcibly removed him there would have been no way he would've left willingly
OWL he’s married now isn’t he with a baby
Sad that this Country can jist take your property like that 😪
This is not true. In 2013 the residents settled with the state that they could reside there until their death, at which time the state would tear down the homes.
The saddest thing is the way John will smile when reminiscing about the town then immediately frown. His cherished memories are tainted by sadness, longing and loss
Jessica Octostar that pic thou 😉
Jessica Octostar you can tell he was incredibly close to his grandfather. I think that's why you wanted to keep the home because it was grandfather. I have seen from other post that he has since left the area since he was evicted. It's really sad that this town has gone.
NoEMogjii Oh&c it just jumps out at you
Jessica Octostar I can relate to John in that respect. I'm a native Detroiter who's old enough to remember when it was a great city, and had a thriving, civilized populace.
He needed counseling a long time ago, Poor guy is wasting his life alone there. He needs to move on get married and start over.
He was evicted in 2009. His home and parents’ house was demolished in 2010, sadly. Good man. I hope he finds happiness elsewhere. Great documentary.
i heard in 2017 they were allowed to stay till end of life then the land goes back to the gov. theres still like 7 people there.
DragonFox84 - Thats what I heard too.
@@DragonFox84 i heard there were like 5 or 3 people still left
We aren’t broke until the last politician resigns for not getting their paycheck.
This isn’t true - in a 2013 settlement the residents agreed with the state that they’d be permitted to reside there until their death, at which time the state would tear down the homes
This documentary left me devastated. It's so true that we know how to start towns but not how to end them...how can you end the history of a place that has people's lives intertwined with that history? I find this man, John Lokitis, as such an admirable and extraordinary person. I can totally relate to how he feels about his town and it's so sad that all those people that left don't share those feelings. It's not just a matter of not wanting to let go of the past... it's so much more than that, it's something you can't put into words. His stare and the way he stops to think , remembering or just reflecting on how things are, is just heartbreaking. Trying to joke about it instead of just letting go and cry. I wish there was a newer cover story of what happened to him, how he's doing today, in 2019. Every person is a microuniverse, and I'm happy and relieved that a person like him exists, he's so young yet so unique. I hope he's doing well. I wish him all the happiness in this world.
You're so right
Well said. I completely agree and feel the same way. I've watched this several times. I find John such a kind and endearing person. I too, hope he is thriving somewhere. Hope he is happy. He's a survivor. Much respect.
So true! What an awe inspiring young man... wish there were more like him...I can imagine what his grandma and grandpa would feel if they knew what he did and how greateful they would be to have a grandson like him...it renews my faith to know that there are actually some who really are touched by family and where they came from enough to do such an honorable thing by them... Hope God Blesses the remainder of his life... even though I never met him I feel that he's made a difference in how we should honor our heritage in this country and especially in these times.
your remark is amazingly beautiful and poignant.
If I lost Port Lavaca, TX, the place I had so many childhood memories… I would be devastated… I wouldn’t know what to say or do… Wouldn’t know what to think. It may not be the healthiest place to live, but it was my home once.
Nostalgia is like a drug... Sometimes you want to hold onto things & remember, other times you want to let go & forget
W
Forgetting sometimes is hard. These days many of our younger people have to regard for the past and yet to others of us, the past is more real than the present. We will all die and I guess the world, or some world, will go on. It does sometimes hurt though.
:[
Daniel Detweiler How is that like a drug? I get what you are saying about our relationship with the past and memory. The drug analogy...?
Anthony Monaghan its like a drug in exactly the way I said it is lol.... sometimes you get high to forget memories of the past & other times you get high & remember the most fantastic things. I'd say it's addictive but it's not like there is a "Nostalgia Anonymous" ppl go to
It's sad and ironic that the very reason the town was built and was able to thrive for a time, was what eventually became the catalyst of its destruction. The coal was the town's life and death.
Rey FESHER 0
that's how it works in coal towns and has for over a hundred years.
I call it poetic justice.
The things that keep us alive,ost times, end up killing us.
it was not the coal...the humans did it...
My family is from this town, my great grandparents,aunts and uncles are buried there. I am very glad I found this, I know it will make my mom smile seeing footage from her childhood. Thank you
Greg Allen
Even in this devestated condition?
I’d guess it would be traumatizing to her all
these years and devestation
later.
i'm sorry for the loss of your hometown.
Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, he is God and died for you and will judge you and all of mankind, he died for you so you can be forgiven of all your sins and have a relationship with God. Repent and trust in him alone and what he did for you alone and call on his name and confess to him and you will be saved.
@@nahno7587 tf does any of that have to do with this documentary or the loss of the OP's hometown?
I Recently 4 year ago....found out the cemetery is still clean....i also meeted some old guyz in quad bike also......really sad....the whole community vanished...... Like chernobyl
The most heartbreaking part of this doc is John. He's such a good-hearted guy. The way he reminisces about his memories. You can tell he had a happy childhood until the fire with how sad he seems to get after telling a story
I agree. I really like him. It is like for that moment he is reminiscing, he is happy, then his face falls and he looks so sad. I just want to hug him.
@@tarasmith7859 the fact that a place like this not only is historical, but still in this condition is almost unreal. It feels like a legend or a myth. The graffiti road on the way into town gives you an uneasy feeling when seen in real life.
If you want to visit Centralia today, do not expect to see anything that you have seen in this film. ALL of the remaining houses were bought out by the state and knocked down. There is virtually no smoke coming out of the ground any more. No one lives in Centralia. It is just a bunch of empty streets. Very disappointing nowadays. I am glad I first went there 15 years ago when you could see houses remaining and lots of smoke.
These people lost their homes, their lives, their families and you're both bothered about seeing it destroyed?
How inconsiderate
***** ohh, crap, sorry, I misunderstood
I don't think God had anything to do with it. Centralia was no different that many similar towns located very nearby.
+Gaming Diva that's 100% false. did you watch the video? it explains that the dump lit alot of garbage on fire so it wouldn't smell bad by the cemetery and it spread down into the mines. that's literally it. you could have atleast watched the video you commented on.
there is people still living there, just very few. I live about 2 or 3 hours away from centralia
I love the guy who still cares for his town (John Lokitis). Mows the lawn, tends the graveyard, puts up the Xmas decorations...what a heart!
What an awesome young man who gives a damn
If it's ever within his grasp Centralia will forever live on.
Truly inspiring
To bad they forced him out. They evicted him and bulldozed his house.
Good !
My heart breaks for John. Just when he ends a memory or story, the sad look on his face.
An excellent documentary.
I went through many emotions watching this young man who has found his future by keeping his past alive.
His entire life's framework of reference is gone and he has suffered the trauma of it's loss.
A decent man who has resolved his issues and is at peace with his life.
How many of the rest of us can say that?
Well said...
"Man refuses to accept reality even though the ground is literally burning beneath him"
No birds can be heard... always watch the birds.. it's a sign...
I can hear birds when he's talking In the graveyard..
@think outloud thats not sin, thats life. Animals can't consent. If you know anything about animals you would know about 75% of them would be extinct if the males or females didn't force themselves on eachother. Ducks even grew corkscrew vag*nas so the males couldn't force themselves onto them. But guess what?! The males adapted and grew corkscrew pen*ses. Look it up. Nature is nature.
shut up hippie
@@emsadventures1154 That's some trippy shit...
Amen 🙏🏽 when there’s no bugs it’s meant to be left ALONE
"Life was sweet." With at least one miner dying every day? Nostalgia is a very strange thing indeed.
Fossil fuels create a bizzare sort of Stockholm syndrome. You would think people would be glad to see the back of it.
I'm pretty sure they're talking about their OWN life. I don't know what YOU'RE talking about though.
@@ubiquitous89 then you're an idiot bc the comment is easy to comprehend
What a beautiful dedication to his grandparents, that headstone is so unique!
This dude is a go getter. He's always up to something: mowing lawns, making Christmas decorations, getting the media involved in saving the towns name. He's Centralia Man, nothing stops him!!!
Heather Murray ‘Mercian as fuuuuu’...
wrong he was stopped, everyone there left had died or moved on the remaining people were left alone, in 2009 the man interviewed was evicted from the whole town and his home was torn down, this was a political hit job, they wanted the mineral rights. total was 11 reduced to 10 when the government evicted this man, he lives in Milton Pa.
How is that place now 2019?
Yay...
harolyn allison who is they? The government? Or was government acting for big corporations?
Wow. I clicked on this video by complete accident. 70 minutes later I'm posting here. I love stumbling upon these hidden gems. Great documentary, and a terrific musical score by Paul Henning to set the mood.
Yea, well said. I almost by passed this... a few minutes in I was captivated.
I've been here. Me and my son took a ride thru on the way from Tennessee to our home in Rhode Island. It was an eerie place. The roads are still there and so are the driveways to houses that no longer exist. It was all pretty much overgrown, but it's a cool place to visit. I had a Jeep Wrangler at the time and was able to go up and over the dirt barricades, so we drove around on the actual abandoned streets. Worth a visit, if you like exploring deserted places.
Any car can drive there and park. Not really any off road part you should be 4 wheeling on anyway.
I understand not wanting to move. However, when the ground is on fire, moving 20 miles away doesn't seem like the end of the world.
Was to some of this people
Look how commited he is. This is his home, the only thing he seems to r3ally know.
In some parts you can move 20 miles away and still be in the same town (or within the same metro area at least).
To some people moving away from the place they consider home, where they have lived for their entire life, does feel like the end of the world.
My hubby's grandmother lived down the road in Mt Carmel, which we visited years after she passed in the 1960's, but it was still untouched in the 70's, and very creepy. The plate and her glasses were still on the table, food remains in the fridge, but creepiest of all was the way the house and furnishings had distorted grossly because mines below had collapsed and shifted. We explored for a bit but when we opened the cellar door and tossed a rock into the darkness, we never heard it land, and got out of there post haste. Really stuck with me all these years, kinda like a bad nightmare!
Mt Carmel in Texas?
McGaughey PA
I have alot of family in Mt. Caramel. We grew up going to the farm there.
Pennsylvania
David Jones I'm from shamokin, a farm in mt.carmel? where? Lol a coal farm?
I was just there where Centralia used to be yesterday. There is even less there now. The Graffitied, closed highway. One or two houses, the Cemeteries with broken tombstones. The municipal building, and the church off in the distance. Didn’t see any smoke plumes, but I watched my step all the same. Mr. Lokitis lost out eventually. They made him move, demolished his house, and even took the Bench that proclaimed the name of the town away. It’s all very sad. Empty.
How sad
Why though? this place is partially a momument
@SPECTRE A town died. Sad.
This is false - The residents settled in 2013 that they would reside their until their death, which is when the state will remove the property
Yes, I’m not saying you are wrong, but are you certain? I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure the dude isn’t dead, and his house in this documentary isn’t there anymore. Maybe he moved away by his own choice? Inform me.
I'm so sad this happened to your beautiful town. This man is a credit to society. Where ever he may be now, I send him love and hugs. 💔
I wonder how is the guys who set the initial fire felt about what happened. In hindsight, lighting a garbage fire in a town built on top of a huge coal deposit seems like a bad idea, but hindsight is 20/20 and it certainly wasn't the first time they'd burned garbage at the dump. It was probably all in a day's work. Imagine doing something you consider routine and it literally destroys your entire town. Jeez, that's got to be a heavy burden to carry around .
I bet
I wonder if it is theoretically possible for this to happen naturally, like a lightning strike causing a forest fire above a coal seam.
Burning garbage in a dump, on top of a coal mine, seems like playing Russian roulette.
You might be fine the first few times, and then...
If you ever have the chance to stop by Centralia, do it. Graffiti Highway is worth it alone.
For those that don't know, John Lokitis was evicted in 2010. His house was also bulldozed. This past October, the state came to an agreement with the remaining residents of the town. The residents are allowed to live their lives out, and at the end of their lives, their house will be bulldozed as well. Each remaining resident was also given $350,000.
The town will never be able to be rebuilt. Things like cars and people can go through the town with no issues, but buildings/houses weigh far too much and would sink. There's enough coal to keep burning for almost a thousand years down there.
poor dude
Just left some graffiti on there yesterday man!
I think i might try and do a tour... do they call it Silent Hill now?
it's nearly all off limits. there are a few places that are owned by current residents, or mining companies that are Private Property. all these properties have signs posted, though, and really aren't that interesting anyway.
you'll drive down most side streets and they'll just all of a sudden end. driveways, but no houses.
there is still a main route that runs through Centralia, so don't expect to not see anyone. there are a bunch of places to park, you'll see them when you get there. Google maps/any phone map will show the roads.
I'm not sure where the fire is now, it's past the highway and hills behind it. I didn't see any smoke this past summer while I was there. at the bottom of the abandoned highway, across the current highway, is physically another town that no longer exists, either. it's just a vein of crazy hidden roads.
*****
Thank you for that clarification. It does help - me anyway. :)
I really like the camera work on this doc. How they kept rolling film for about 20-30sec after ppl stop talking. U really get 2 see them reflecting on their memories and u can see how it affects them
Very Herzog.
The young man refurbishing and putting up the Christmas decorations touched my heart. ❤ 🌲🎄🎅🎁
@Zebulun OfTheTwelveTribes what do you mean satanic? If you are being rude respect the holiday. It’s the only day I get to see the rest of my family
The young man in this video is so very humble and kind, and his type of nature is what we all should try to possess. I do think the world would be better with others like him in it. This video makes me want to cry..such a nice, happy, safe place, unlike so many communities today..
I personally try to be like that.
Two problems though, it’s not a community and it’s anything but safe.
Not trying to be contentious, but it has to be said, most all white communities were like that
Jackie lmao do more research cause your info is iffy
BETA
If anyone is curious to see more of what Centralia was like back before it was evacuated, check out the 1982 pbs documentary about the town. I believe its called ''Centralia Fire-PBS-1982 and is available here on youtube. Tom Larkin, who was interviewed in this documentary was featured in that one as well.
As of August 11th, 2019, the Graffiti Highway is open to the public again! I went today and there was lots of people there (picture taking, riding motorcycles, spray painting, having picnics, etc). It was very exciting and I highly recommend making the trip while it’s legally open again! You can also walk through the two cemeteries, check out the church up on the hill, or just drive around looking at the ghost town. I believe there’s a total of 6 residents still there.
Billy Welsby graffiti highway was closed again in April 2020
It has now been closed and hopefully the upgrades turn it into future forests.
This video makes me miss PA. The most genuine people I have ever lived around.
Nearby Frackville's giant Schuylkill Mall that was built in 1980 was recently demolished. It was built like a fortress.
I don't know how many of you have had experiences living in small towns / villages, but you can't ever forget that community spirit that I (& so many) feel is now lost in today's society. My mother is 71, & still desperately craves wanting to go back to the village she grew up in - despite no one she knew back then still living there, & so many changes having been made. It's home to her & always will be. It's where her heart lays & where most of her fondest memories will always be.
It's so easy for people to feel 'sorry' for someone & tell them they need to move on, but every individual is so different. It's how the world ticks. It's not easy for everyone to let go. It seems to me John feels he made a promise to his grandfather & he wants to see it through to the end. He lives with his memories & those are what keep him strong, childhood is one of our most potent times in regards to memories being ingrained forever. We refer to them often, we think of them often, we think of who shaped our lives - even those with unhappy childhoods often have at least a handful of happy memories they think back fondly on.
Maybe he is 'stuck in the past' to some, & yes - I too see the sadness on his face after clearly remembering a memory of times gone by, but he also has hope in his heart that things may go back one day to how they used to be. And if they don't? He's content. He wouldn't be happy living anywhere else, where he knows no one else, where he has no strong foundations or strong family ties.
And contrary to popular belief, I believe at least 4 residents to this day are still inhabiting the town & will be allowed to live out their days there. I'm unsure if John is still there but we know 4 are still remaining (according to a few articles online anyway - however this may have changed in the past few years?)
It's lovely to know the cemeteries have largely been untouched, & people still gather on Memorial Day. It's a sign that the community that once was, isn't lost, just spread out. It makes me horribly sad that the government / council just let this place go the way they did. I hope the residents can find some peace somehow x
I've never lived in a truly small town but I have an affinity for people that have grown up in them. I have a feeling my future wife will be from such a town.
I know my once was small town INDEPENDENCE OREGON I live across the street from the Willamette river and mountains and country roads here in the valley . Well it's gone now it's a city with a big hotel right on the river. It started to really show I think when the coca cola fountain soda shop on the corner of old town closed then they took the huge mural off the corner wall . I miss my little town.
Thank you for your story. I had to swe watch the video again I was so touched and enjoyed reading it.
You're completely right. I grew up in a (somewhat) small town in Georgia where every time you passed someone you waved or said excuse me/how are you, just simply acknowledging their existence...But as I've gotten older and the "small" town I live in is now almost a good sized city, People are so cold to each other, no one looks anyone in the eye, it's really depressing. It's definitely not like it used to be, and the more populated the Earth gets where we all cluster together, the worse it will get.
Courtney Kline I live in a small town in Alabama and I love it. I have lived in a huge city in Virginia and truly hated it. I wouldn’t trade my small town for anything. My only complaint is that sometimes it feels like everyone knows your business but sometimes (like a death in the family for instance) it’s nice to have everyone know you or your family.
This documentary was released in 2007, john lived there till he was told to leave but the PA government in 2009, he then left but didn't go far. The Government pulled down the house he lived in, in 2010. Know it is massively over grown, but apparently you can still see the house foundations
Bless this young man, he is a good person. He does so much for the town that was. I pray that he will have a better life, he deserves it.
Young man ? He's at least 40
@@kevinbaconwasntinfootloose1742 He's fifty years younger than his mayor, I'd say he's young relatively speaking
42:00 - His point about the mail is an excellent one. There are many native Americans who do not have a proper address on the reservation, so they use P.O. boxes. In some states, the laws were subtly amended to remove registered voters that did not have a physical address. That's real voter fraud. Also, there are any number of online retailers who will not ship to a P.O. box, requiring an actual address. What if you were "a person of no fixed address", like somebody living out of an RV in retirement? This is real.
Same with a drivers license. Cops hate po boxes .
@@Odin33356 that’s not voter fraud it’s voter suppression and it’s very real and is happening right now
Be thankful that you don't need to own property to vote, or be a man. People in the US don't know how good they have it, where any basic citizen can vote in any election, local, state, and federal.
If you were removed as a registered voter because you have no address... _you can re-register to vote_ better yet, get an address and you won't need to worry about it. Use a family member, or friend, or any number of other methods.
I worry about John Lokitis, he's 34 in this video, too young to be this way. To be so... I'm not sure if obsessed is the word, about how things were, that you turn the most mundane things into something almost sacred. To spend hours, alone working on Christmas decorations (that next to no one will see) that are just like the kind the town had years ago. To live in your grandparents home, and never change anything, from the furniture, down to the ashtray your grandfather left sitting in the living room. This isn't living it's just existing. It's like he's trapped himself in a memory and never wants to leave. He seems so fearful of change. The whole thing is such a sad, strange story.
We all have our opinions. I really can't say that todays world is going so great. The only thing that is important to people is money and status. We don't even want to protect the world so it will stay around - we would rather completely wreck it and fly away to another planet. At least he has something to believe in.
'
The world will be around long after humans go extinct. All the save the planet people are actually save humans people but don't know it.
Very well said Charlene. I would like to add that I believe John is an old soul that is extremely sensitive and I can relate to that.
I suspect he has mental issues...
The state officially condemned the town a year or two back and I'm fairly certain someone's convinced him to leave since this was filmed.
I love the music in this. It sets the mood perfectly.
Yes. I was thinking that all through the documentary.
The least the government could've done was leave a memorial or monument for the town as a remembrance.
Again, none of this is the responsibility of any government other then the local.
How do they know it won't vanish into a sinkhole?
Yes, we need to spend money on monuments noone will see.
"The least the government could've done" I don't understand? They bought the town for more than it was worth. In the video it was said, the families moved into better dwellings. The government did their part as far as I am concerned.
fluffylusgimpus A fucking slab of concrete reading “remember that one time that one thing happened” funded by the government is thee most useless piece of shit to complain about lol. Fuck the government n all but... your comment is possibly the most redundant TH-cam comment I’ve ever read
Fuck food, fuck shelter, fuck clothing.. matter of fact just fuck all resources. we need a god damn monument y’all!
this is so sad, that guy really loves his town, bless him.i hope he finds happiness .x
He won't find it there
Happiness is with you ❤
@@Alex-uy7pc you find happiness within yourself. Not where you are.
The world needs more guys like this guy. He’s got a lot of love for his town and it’s people.
Poor guy, To many good memories holding him there. Hope you will find happiness wherever you are now.
John in this doco is showing some good old fashioned pride in his town.
Good on him.
Pride in a town that doesn't exist. He's essentially wasted his entire life. There is nothing praiseworthy about stupidity like this. I know that sounds harsh, but there are other towns, other people, vibrant, living, vital communities... Not this burning corpse of a town, this broken memory.
Oh ya, a great accomplishment.
And so did Mr. Truman, the guy who died on Mt. St. Helens.
Small towns are garbage. Sorry but there's a reason why most people leave the town they grew up in for a city.
A little insensitive, I thought, to suggest a merger with the nearby town named _Ashland_.
(Ironically, even closer is a town named Byrnsville, according to Google maps.)
Byrnsville has also been abandoned.
ilovemycatsxo -sarah
Oh, I wonder why they hot footed away.
hot footed away? no pun intended? lol
Glover dragon
Intended.
Thanks for the (unexpected) _lol_.
:)
Jack Sainthill no worries. after ashland and byrnsville, I completely lost it at hot footed away lool
This poor guy is just trying to recapture a bygone era. Bless his heart
@william crow so dumb.
@william crow is a dumb bitch 😂 😂 😂 😂
This documentary is so haunting. I've seen from other comments John has left and as sad as that was for him, I'm glad. He was so young. It's terrible what happened but I hope he's happy and making new memories. Centralia will live on as long as people remember it.
This is so well done, in all respects, that I watched it last night and again today... a tragic and disturbing yet beautiful story conveyed in a soft, yet very real, way, with love and faith. It's not only a story of a town that WAS. but of those who continue to keep its memory, and what remains, alive, until a time when it might be possible to rise from the ashes and flourish again
* I must make a specific mention of the musical score which flows with gentleness and grace. It's perfect
totally agree. very well done...and the haunting music is perfect.
Marvelous documentary. I can not imagine this happening to my home town. My respects to the people who decided to stay especially John and the amount of pride he pours in to whats left of this town is admirable.
I was thinking the same thing. People saying that John was in denial or that he should move on because of the danger only strengthened my admiration for him. He was living alone there, not putting anyone else in danger. He was doing what felt right to him as were the others who stayed. He knew it wouldn't last forever, but what harm did his hope do?
He worked hard to keep up as much of what was left as he could, until he was made to leave. Seeing the Christmas decorations he had restored, and hearing him humbly say "I think they look alright." brought tears to my eyes. His home was taken care of even though he couldn't legally own it. He did it all out of pride and respect for those who were there before him. I so hope he has found happiness wherever he is now after hearing him say he wouldn't be happy anywhere else. He has earned that and more.
It's so important for everyone, and especially those who left voluntarily, that there are still photos and old video available of happy times. Even though the town can not be brought back, maybe, if people give each other a chance, they can rebuild some of the relationships this tragedy tore apart. For any still living who haven't, do it before it's too late to do in our short time on this strangely polar planet.
***** Thank you Zak, you are very kind.
Cassandra I agree with you :)
Yes,I salute John for his dedication and love for his hometown despite his eviction from the place.Hope he found his soulmate in another place where he is now.
At first I felt confusion and distrust of how much the young man was denying what was happening to his town, but as the video went on it was clear that this place had been his life, and letting go of it would be like forgetting your entire life. I feel sorry for him losing something he can never retrieve.
47:32 "Even though there's no real visible danger here..."
Look behind you, my man.
I think he is blind
@@madintentions2667 In the end of the documentary they talk about how he would rather commute to work in Harrisburg rather then move closer. I don’t think he is blind.
Such a beautiful but heartbreaking story. I can understand the young guy still wanting to stay in what is left from his childhood town. Living in his grandparents house, in his old neighbourhood must give him a feeling of safety and belonging, even if all the rest is gone. People underestimate the feeling one can have about certain places. It is indeed the land that makes one stay.... I hope he can stay there and live a happy, long life.
Lilith Eden They made him move out in 2009.
@@ambergerhelper7852 I'm sure that was very upsetting for him, but I wonder if it wasn't a good thing in the long run. He seems so lonely and like he feels it's his responsibility to maintain what's left of the town. That's a big burden and appears to occupy his whole life. Sometimes we just have to accept that things have changed and will never be the same again. I feel sad for him.
When beautiful memories become torturous, im at this point for 15 years now it never goes away your forced to live with it.
I adore the young man who still lives in Centralia and takes care of it. Not only the story of Centralia, but that man, breaks my heart. I pray he sees his beloved town come back to life before he passes on. God bless you dude.
This was filmed in 2006, John was evicted on 2009. Since he has moved to a nearby town, married and had a son.
This video is suddenly in my recommended in 2019
This is my third or fourth time watching it. Like others, I wonder what the situation is today.
@@indy_go_blue6048 Me too. I wonder what it's like now
It's completely evacuated now. They made everyone leave. The young man in this video, is living in PA. This is from 2007.
@william crow - It's because you are a NON-EDUCATED individual, the first thing you think is, " EVERYONE " is racist!
после Чернобыля
I feel so bad for John Lokitis. He is such a sad figure. Desperately holding on to something that's already gone.
Because that something past was awesome maybe like i dream...i understand him perfectly because i was in the same situation in my ex town in Europe...Romania...i know wha he means!!
I grew up in Columbia County where u can find Centralia, Pennsylvania. I've walked thru there a few times in my life and it's enuf to render you speechless.. I'm so glad I stumbled on your video. I had no idea this documentary existed! Thank u for sharing it✌💙👍
Kelle M gorgeous!!!
He is a amazing bloke for what he does and when you consider his family owned one of the mines that caught fire. They burnt his town, his heritage and his inheritance and still he is not bitter and does what he does.
I would love to live where there are not many people around.
Living without people is always easier than trying to live with them.
to bad the Government wouldn't go and fix it now...They should have when it first started...Shows how much the Government really cares about their people...Shameful...
_Too dangerous_
You can't fix a fire burning through coal seams miles underground. This town was basically the victim of a man-made natural disaster. The fire will be burning for the next 200 - 300 years...
Emma Hipster kway-c
you can and they almost did, but they ran out of money to continue the project.
Hachi Roku no they didn't. They making it worse. In 1981 a boy fall in a sink hole which was caused by a fire. At time they were still trying to put out the fire.
As a commercial driver, I used to travel through Centralia every day on my "peddle" route.
It was quite surreal seeing the desolation; seeing steam and smoke pour from the ground, especially during the winter.
I always felt a sadness and somberness when there, thinking of all the families that lost their homes.
Thanks for posting this.
I think John lokiotis is the real interesting story here.
I wish the dude would let go of his childhood, get a woman, move on, life is too short. One day you wake up and your doctor tells you you are sick, life is limited. Move on man, live, don’t dwell in the destruction of the a great past. There is a whole world out there.
@@timofeegraaay8165 not fare to say about that young man s fortitude.
Doug Devine Maybe not, but I understand he has moved on. When I was in my 30’s I kept losing weight even though I ate like a horse. I had night sweats. My blood pressure was through the roof. I often got confused about the way to drive home from work. Finally a very good doctor found my tumors and I was told I may die or it may be possible to get them out. Make arrangements just in case. Still here decades later with wife and family and so many things that have happened. Live your life as you wish, but don’t live in the past too much. That is all I recommend. I too grew up in a town that was really wonderful but dying, jobs lost, population shrinking, pollution in the ground, streams, and neighborhoods becoming vacant. I am blessed to have gotten out, been to many countries, seen many great things, met interesting people, been lucky to have some (few it may be) love me. I want that for all. I am getting older now, slowing down, it goes way too fast.
@@timofeegraaay8165 Lil different from losing your hometown mate.
Sad what you been through, but it's not this American towns fault.
This is the perfect metaphore for what we face in the coming years.
Nah dems will import millions more.
Please explain
Flint Michigan is going through this right now
@@Mr.Plant1994 Fires? No. I live in michigan
We have enough fear mongering, go away!
Thanks for posting. That guy in his 30's that does most of the talking is the salt of the earth. Caring still for the abandoned town. The world would be a better place with more people like hin.
Well, it's kinda sad that he's fooling himself about the future of the town.
However, he got forced out a while back. Sucks. :/
Agreed. I think he seems like a great guy all around.
wrnchhead76 You can tell he really cares, I pass thru there a couple of times a year and if I see him I'm going to stop and shake his hand.
I just saw that John Lokitis forced out in 2009. This has got to be an older documentary.
Steven Schofner 2007 the movie was made. You'll find it right at the end of the credits.
How can you not fall in love with what this town was, and the determination of John to keep the memory alive? ❤️
Such an amazing story. Great to learn something new everyday. Thank you from Australia
As much as I can admire what this guy is doing for the tradition , I also sense alot of sadness and acceptance of change. Its really profound
at 35:34 I decided I really like this guy! he is doing all he can to tend the last residents so they don't have to see a world without Centralia, but he's realistic about the fact the town is fading, so he also works towards creating a lasting and heartfelt memory for the world! even if it has to be a cemetery filled with touching art carved in stone... and he still finds the humor, dark tho it be. when his time as Centralia caretaker ends, I pray he finds a home for HIS legacy and he finds people who care for him as deeply, he deserves much joy! and I pray for comfort when the sad part comes and it's time to put the mower away for good.
I just found out about this place. I read about it yesterday in a part of our local paper---the travel section. I live in Halifax,NS,Canada and underground mining was once a really big thing in this province. Mining disasters and accidents were common here at one time. The last tragedy here in the province was in 1992. An explosion. Some bodies were never recovered.
Drea Rose: Another Haligonian!! Hurray for us!!
Mike Poitras im an hour from halifax, wolfville
My grandad lived there before I was born he told me he was living there untill that fire and he died it's sad for me looking at it.
Recommended by TH-cam in December 2019
With them banning everyone's content there running out of videos to recommend...
I wish more documentaries were made similar to this one. It's somber yet beautiful.
I admire John but he looks so lonely. Clinging on to what was. It's like he needs to let go and move on.
Lord that man lives in a hell hole literally.
Angela Fender
He left in 2010
John Lokitis Jr. was one of the last remaining residents in Centralia PA. He lived there from birth until 2009, when he was evicted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
sad
Figures
There are 2 families that still live in Centralia. The police patrol it now and Chase people away and they closed graffiti highway.
Wow. I mean, I feel sorry for what he lost but it has to be healthier being nearly anywhere else.
K C they kicked him out?! Why?!
You can always go back, but you can never go home again.
JessicaTG2008
wow...... this..... deep. but true....
"In my restless dreams, I see that town…"
Dr Seuss said 'dont cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.' He obviously had a very happy childhood in a loving family. Those memories aren't in the town. They are in him, no matter how far he goes.
Is anyone here in 2020?
It's been 6 years from now
Yup, I visited Centralia in 2006 and I check back up on it once in a while. I first saw this doc a few years ago and now I'm watching it again.
Why wouldn't there be? Goddamn idiot...
@@inter-partyconflict9540 I literally just visited the other day and there's still a couple buildings left, mostly homes. Cars still go through but not to stay. It's really depressing. I really hope someday the town can be rebuilt.
I wonder if he still man's the gates of the cemetery. I was there yesterday and the gates were indeed open!
The gate was open this morning
The real life Silent Hill as some calls this place, it's story is a bit sadder and maybe someday the town can be rebuilt after the fire finally ends. One day it has to, and hopefully by then this town can be restored. Nothing is impossible ya know?
this is about to sound sooooo immature.
When I heard that this was the "Silent Hill", I was expecting an asylum where insane testing was done.
I mean this was sad.
and it looks haunting....
sadly this fire might continue for another century. After that century, hopefully people still WANT to rebuild it. Or maybe it will die down enough and someone can stop it, ya know?
I dunno.
we can only hope.
Brianna Anderson That would have been cool with an asylum and all tho!
I doubt it will ever be rebuilt. What's left of it today is not very much, mostly some abandoned roads and a graveyard according to people who've been there resently. Not many houses left at all. But who knows?
***** True....but maybe one day it can be rebuilt. Sure there's a way to help stop the fire still might be too risky atm..
***** Let me ask, couldn't this fire cost more trouble? I mean how deep/far do the mines go? Would it reach another town?
***** I took he Pioneer Mine Tour in Ashland and asked that same question. The guide explained that most of the coal seams in this area are tipped up on their sides, so the fire can not affect Ashland for instance. I wasn't aware of Mt Carmel being in danger. But based on which direction the fire is moving, I guess that is possible. Anyone interested in Centralia should visit the pioneer mine tunnel. Its quite an education. As an ATV rider, I found the info about strip mining to be a real eye-opener.
this was a very interesting documentary. The young man featured seems to have an old soul... One suggestion - change the title of the video. I almost didn't watch it cause it didn't really say what it was about. I took a chance, and I'm glad I did. Thanks for the upload. thumbs up on this.
Maybe it's a lesson...for people to take a chance, Im about to watch this now, Im looking fwd to it :)
Matt Mattelig So, did I!!
What The ... there are two generations that also use utube. Me.. in my mid 60's ... my kids,, 48 & 49... Us grown-ups have ever heard of which you speak ... LOL
Silent Hill deals with themes of loss and acceptence of it. It is an appropreate title and to be honest the game series has done more for interest of centralia than the actual events of the town. As sad as it is... it is kind of cool how a horror game made people remember the tragedy of Centralia.
What a gorgeous soundtrack - it fits the tragedy of Centralia so perfectly
At times it almost sound like What We Lost from the Project Zomboid soundtrack...
@@kalajel Just had a listen to that OST and you're right, I can totally hear the similarity, particularly in "What Was Lost." Thanks for turning my attention to that soundtrack, it's a nice addition to my listening material.
The movie was made in 2007. John was relocated in 2009 and the house demolished just before christmas 2009 :
While Lokitis felt he was in no danger, he had little recourse than to move from his late grandfather's two-story row home on West Park Street when an order to vacate arrived,
one of two such notices sent last year. Now living a few miles away, he tacked a sign on the front porch of the old homestead. "REQUIESCAT IN PACE" - rest in peace, it said. "SORRY POP."
He couldn't bear to watch the home get knocked down a few weeks before Christmas. But he couldn't stay away, either, going back after the wrecking crew had finished its work.
"It was part of my life for all 39 years, that house," he said. "It was difficult to leave it and difficult to see it demolished."
Difficult, too, to give up his dream of Centralia's rebirth. "I'd always hoped the town would come back and be rebuilt," Lokitis said, "but I guess that's never going to happen."
I feel sorry for this guy... Seems like he's stuck living in the past. He's young enough to start a NEW LIFE in a new town.
That's not always the best thing. Too much is disposable today, not too many people are grounded anymore. When you don't have established roots, you tend to be aimless and unfocused.
I live about 25 miles from Centralia.
Was I not listening, or did the young man never state his source of income? Surely it was never implied to be landscaper?
He mentioned his job around 56 minutes in. He said he works in Harrisburg for the state police as an accounting assistant in the firearms unit.
Richard Michael I think he is very attached to that place,he can't detach,you can feel the sadness and like it would hurt him to leave that place. whatever he is holding onto,he is the only one who knows but he has a lot of memories with that place like it's all he's known all his life he can literally say what was where and who was there,he can still see that town in his mind. I don't blame him I understand his feelings
I admire this young man. He's in touch with himself and doesn't need a myriad of people to complete him.
My fiance and I visited Centralia yesterday after visiting family for thanks giving. The place is nothing. Its getting so over grown and there are cracks in all the roads. Unfortunately i'm wheelchair bound so i didn't get to get out of the car and most of the roads are undriveable. Going down a road that has warnings spray painted all over it was crazy. "no turning back now""gate to hell" we couldn't keep driving after maybe 15 mins past that because the road began to fade. It's just so amazing to see a complete ghost town.I went maybe 10 years ago when I was younger when only four people still lived there.
+paul t I should have said 4 functioning house holds were still standing and operational.
I wonder,where is the man who keep the maintenance there?Haven't you seen him there?
I appreciate that stories like this get told and that people have so much heart connected to their roots. You can see the utmost happiness and nostalgia on the faces when the residents are remembering the good times.
Everyone jumps to blame the gov't, but the coal companies left the strip mine pits open and exposed. Also, there is some debate on how the fire started. The fire department burning the landfill usually gets the blame, but there is a book from 2007 called "The Day the Earth Caved In" that says that a trash hauler dumped still-burning ashes in the dump. Also, the town council was responsible for installing a clay barrier between layers of the landfill. But regardless, had the coal company reclaimed the strip mine, like AEP has done in Southeast Ohio, the coal seam that ignited wouldn't have been exposed, and the gov't was stuck cleaning up after private business.
@Very Scary I first got interesting in Centralia after reading the novel "The Planets" by Jennifer Boylan. It took place in Centralia. I've also seen some videos about it, and read the Wikipedia entry on it. Also, as an urban explorer, I'm interested in anything abandoned, especially those within a day's drive from me.
The fact of the matter is, regardless of blame, this should've been stopped fairly easily and in a timely manner but it wasn't and for no good reason.
Corporations are your government get your head out of your ass eh
I'm from Columbus Ohio 😁
Unfortunately there was not a strip mine in centralia. It was a shaft mine. The strip mines were outside of town. I grew up not very far up the highway from centralia
It was a peaceful town, nobody locked their doors. The people lived in harmony.
But everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.
Have you noticed the parallels between the last Airbender and the dalai lama??
🤣🔥💀
lmao I hate you XD XD XD
That was a very well documentary, it actually got to me. Well done on the individuals that made it...and for the few that have stuck around in Centralia for better or worse. Nobody likes to leave home.
DementedCaver
I absolutely love finding random documentaries to watch. Thank You!!
I heard about this town through loeylane and this whole story has the most eerie feeling I've ever had, not just the background music the whole story its so unreal scary to me
47:34 '' even though theres no visible danger here'' *smoldering hill behind him*
LOL! The irony!
that guy in that rabbit suit looked creepy af
Maybe Robbie the Rabbit from Silent Hill haha
mrs. aslashin I saw that didn't know if anyone else noticed it XD and the silent hill movie and games are based on this town just those stories never happened. This documentary is the real story.
s2k9k Either that or a stunt double from "Donnie Darko"!! lol
Misery Loves Guardian Of Eden
The game Silent Hill is not based on this town. The setting used was how a small american community seemed to the group of japanese developers who made it. Their inspiration came from western and russian literature.
One of the script writers for the film Silent Hill used Centralia, PA as inspiration for the films setting.
coalhalo yes, he had been there and saw the steam rising. That was about it. It's been bringing way too many tourists here. They're running across the highway like no one lives around here. Someone is going to get hurt. I almost hit a young woman in the summer, she ran right out in front of my car.
John wherever you are I hope you found happiness !
How many times did the government promise the American Indians that they could keep their homes/land? The government has a hard time keeping its word from week to week, much less 30 to 40 years after the fact. It's not right but it is reality.
The government doesn't care. As long as they still make money, they don't care. Unless there's a few good hearts working for the government (they're probably kept quiet in these important matters) there's nothing that can truly be done
I know the man in this video will never see this.. BUT I sure do understand his life and his dream. I have been doing the same thing in my life for 43 years! Keeping my dads dream alive .
they need to put a video drone/robot into those burning underground passages to get some visuals :)
I agree I would love to see that.
omgsolikevalleygirl They were talking temperatures up to 600 degrees. It'd have to be a very well insulated robot. Even then it wouldn't last long.
Motokid600
#teflonbot
omgsolikevalleygirl 1. Expensive 2. No signal at certain levels so 3. You'd need a lot of cables and tech that won't melt or blackout
600 isnt that hot, some of the stronger metals need temperatures in the thousands of degrees before they melt, just coat it in a layer of ceramic and it would be fine, you can pick up ceramic that is glowing red hot and not get burnt
A lovely documentary. Sensitively done. With a young man who must have had a wonderful childhood. How could anyone not feel the same?
I come from small town like this where we are all close & lookout for one another. I could not IMAGINE not having "home" to go to. 😢💔
I miss Centralia. I had a lot of good memories there growing up.
It's because of the underground coal fire, which can make the land unstable and dangerous and may lead to cave in's and what not. The fire is still burning so the government isn't going to let anyone live there for a long time.
they just let 200 people move back into the exclusion zone around chernobyl and declared some areas safe for agriculture, it will be fully populated and the reactor safely contained long before those fires go out
SORRY Where is Centralia on the map? please
Ash Abbas
Just google Centralia Pennsylvania then go to maps.
Why not visit the man sometime, John Case?I know he would be glad to see an old neighbor again =D