In 2001 the last remaining commercial building in Centralia, Pennsylvania stood at the corner of Center Street and Locust Avenue. This is the corner where Route 61 meets Route 42.
The three story structure once housed The Speed Spot, a motorcycle shop once owned by Centralia resident David Lamb. Lamb was one of the leaders of Concerned Citizens Action Group Against the Centralia Mine Fire. This organization worked within the community, as well on the state and federal level, to raise awareness of the fire and fight for a resolution.
The Speed Spot in Centralia in 2001. Credit: Offroaders.com
After being acquired by eminent domain by the State of Pennsylvania, The Speed Spot would most certainly have been demolished. However, it met a premature end in 2002. On December 21 of that year, the building mysteriously caught fire and burned to the ground.
While the circumstances of The Speed Spot fire were never solved, many suspect it was arson committed by vandals. In fact, on the site DamnedInteresting someone posted in 2007 claiming that a group of friends entered The Speed Spot one night and were “messing around.” By doing so, they accidentally set it on fire.
Article about The Speed Spot from December 22, 2002. Credit: Offroaders/Press Enterprise
The Speed Spot is another interesting tale in the sad history of Centralia, PA. Today, little of it remains except for a grass covered lot, along with a truck bearing the name and phone number of the former motorcycle shop. No one has ever been charged by police with setting it on fire.
I remember The Speed Spot the first time I ever went through Centralia in 1990. I found it odd that this was the only business left in town. I originally thought it was a speed shop/ parts store for hot rods and drag cars,being that Numidia Dragway is 10 miles north of Centralia. Does anyone know where Dave Lamb is now?
I am from Pennsylvania…and this is the first time I have ever heard of Centralia, PA. All I can do is read about it. History!
You can see The Speed Spot briefly at 2:02 as it appeared in 1982 still very much in business in this short Centralia documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sEJZ6MHNTI