Centralia Sunday is a short documentary video shot and edited by William Hartung. Hartung even wrote and performed the soundtrack for the piece.
The four minute film takes viewers on a journey to Centralia, Pennsylvania on a crisp fall day. It begins with the trip north on Interstate 81. Pennsylvania’s beautiful autumn foliage is certainly on display. A woman explains why people come to experience the abandoned town of Centralia.
Next, scenes including the crooked tree at the end of Wood Street are shown. The edge of the mine fire burn zone can be seen in the background. Additional shots reveal a collapsed fence and a rusting mine fire vent.
Another woman describes why the story of Centralia PA is important. This is followed by vintage 8mm footage of scenes from the town, courtesy of the Charles Welsh Estate. The 1957 footage from the Charles Welsh Estate was previously featured here.
One of the last remaining homes in Centralia is shown on Trautwine Street. After this, there are a number of shots of empty streets and spaces from around the town. Other images show a staircase to nowhere and a stop sign with graffiti on it.
A man narrates a montage of vintage and current footage showing the abandoned section of Route 61. He discusses the Graffiti Highway, and its significance to the people who visit Centralia Pennsylvania.
The documentary ends by featuring several cemeteries in the town including SS Peter Paul and St. Ignatius. It also mentions the numerous churches that were once in Centralia PA and shows clips of the lasts remaining one – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church.
Many thanks to William Hartung for sharing this video. You can check out his other videos on YouTube.
