PENNSYLVANIA - The Keystone State has a rich history and many vibrant towns. Some places in Pennsylvania are empty or abandoned due to natural disasters or manufactured incidents.
According to scenicstates.com, here are some abandoned towns in Pennsylvania.
1. Pithole City
This municipality, located in the western part of Pennsylvania, was founded in 1865 during the oil boom of the 1860s. Oil barons purchased land at this time, and the township was constructed. After the oil boom began to fade, the municipality started to decline. Many residents left Pithole City after a large fire. In 1866, only 2,000 people lived in the Pithole City area. By 1878, that number had dropped to 250.
2. Eckley Miners' Village
The area near Weatherly was a mining municipality in the 1850s. The village was abandoned when coal mining in the area began to decline. Many of the mines were sold. You can visit Eckley today in safety as it is a museum that houses residents. The village hasn't been abandoned. Scenicstates.com reports that about 20 families of original coal workers live here.
3. Rausch Gap
This ghost town, located in Lebanon County, was once one of the biggest coal mining villages in the state. The area's history dates back to 1823, when a nearby coal mine was opened, and the town was built shortly after that. Between 1850 and 1851, a railroad was built. By 1872 the railroad headquarters had been relocated to another area, which led to the Civil War. By 1900, the Rausch gap was gone.
4. Centralia
This abandoned borough is probably something you've heard of. Once a vibrant borough with an active mining community, the municipality began to decline in the 1960s after a significant underground mine fire. In 1992, Centralia was declared a borough. Centralia is still home to some residents, but the entire area can only be viewed by half. You can still see steam rising from the ground. Keep an eye out for signs and stay away from forbidden areas.
5. Petroleum Center
Like Pithole, it is located in Venango County in Western Pennsylvania. Both were founded during the oil boom in the 1960s. The area was home to up to 3,000 residents. Petroleum Center, however, did not last even ten years, and in 1873, it was abandoned. Oil Creek State Park is a great place to see parts of the Petroleum Center.
