The most famous stop sign in Centralia, Pennsylvania is at the corner of Trautwine Street and Main Street. Several years ago someone spray painted the sign so it now reads “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
The stop sign is near some of the last remaining houses in the town. One home is along Trautwine Street right by the corner where the sign stands. The other is visible across an empty lot on Myers Street.
If there ever were a place appropriate for such graffiti, it is Centralia, Pennsylvania. Although, one could easily argue that people gave up believing in the town many years ago. With the mine fire still burning under the borough and the town eminent domained by the state, there is little reason to believe that it will ever make a comeback.
Undoubtedly, the author of the spray painted sign was referencing a Journey song of the same name, “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which was released in 1981. It’s not entirely fitting, but certainly more upbeat than the sadder tunes that have been played in remembrance of Centralia, PA.
