Centralia, Pennsylvania
"The coal mining borough destroyed by an underground fire and stripped of its zip code and map markers"
A coal-seam fire ignited beneath Centralia in May 1962, burning continuously through miles of abandoned mine shafts. Toxic carbon monoxide and ground fissures forced a federal buyout and demolition of over 500 buildings.
Cartographic Origin Story
Originally a bustling anthracite mining borough of over 2,000 residents incorporated in 1866.
An example of active governmental de-mapping and cartographic erasure of an un-livable subterranean hazard.
Scientific Disproof or Geological Fate
In 1992, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania claimed eminent domain over all properties. In 2002, the US Postal Service revoked Centralia's ZIP code (17927), and state road maps removed the town label and re-routed Pennsylvania Route 61 around the burning 'Graffiti Highway'.