Wikipedia

Centralia, Illinois

Centraliais a city inClinton,Jefferson,Marion,andWashingtoncounties in the U.S. state ofIllinoiswith the largest portion in Marion County. The city is the largest in three counties, Clinton, Marion, and Washington, but it is not a county seat for any of them. The population was 12,182 as of the2020 census,down from 13,032 in2010.[4]

Centralia, Illinois
City
Flag of Centralia, Illinois
Flag
Location of Centralia in (clockwise) Clinton, Marion, Jefferson, and Washington Counties, Illinois.
Location of Centralia in (clockwise) Clinton, Marion, Jefferson, and Washington Counties, Illinois.
Centralia is located in Illinois
Centralia
Centralia
Centralia is located in the United States
Centralia
Centralia
Coordinates:38°31′31″N89°7′57″W/ 38.52528°N 89.13250°W/38.52528; -89.13250[1]
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountiesClinton,Jefferson,Marion,Washington
TownshipsCentralia,Brookside,Grand Prairie,
Irvington
Founded1853[2]
Named forIllinois Central Railroad
Government
• TypeManager-Council
• BodyCity Council
• MayorBryan Kuder
Area
[3]
• Total
9.23 sq mi (23.91 km2)
• Land8.20 sq mi (21.24 km2)
• Water1.03 sq mi (2.67 km2)
Elevation
[1]
502 ft (153 m)
Population
(2020)
• Total
12,182
• Density1,485.61/sq mi (573.61/km2)
DemonymCentralian
Time zoneUTC−6(CST)
• Summer (DST)UTC−5(CDT)
ZIP Code(s)
62801
Area code(s)618,730
FIPS code17-12164
GNISID2393787[1]
Public TransitSouth Central Transit
Wikimedia CommonsCentralia, Illinois
Websitecityofcentralia.org

History

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Centralia is named for theIllinois Central Railroad,built in 1853. The city was founded where the two original branches of the railroad converged. Centralia was first chartered as a city in 1859.[2]NowCanadian Nationalowns the line.

The intersection of theThird Principal Meridianand its baseline is in the southern city limits. This initial point was established in 1815, and it governs land surveys for about 60% of the state of Illinois, includingChicago.[5]The original monument is at the junction of Highway 51 and the Marion-Jefferson County Line Road; today there is a small easement situated in the northeast corner of this intersection, which contains a monument and historical marker.

Production of thePayDaycandy bar began here in 1938.Michael Moore's documentary,The Big One(1998), opens with the closing of this candy bar plant in the late 20th century. It addresses similar economic woes in other cities.

The town of Centerville, Washington, was renamedCentralia, Washingtonto avoid being confused with another Centerville in that state. A former resident of the Illinois town suggested the change.

Centralia's city flag was designed in 1924 by Wendell Bauer, whose design was awarded first prize in a community-wide design competition.[6]A broad red stripe through the center of the flag represents the railroads to which the city owes its existence. A gold star above and below the stripe signifies the area's mining and agricultural industries. Lastly, a triangle pyramid with a sphinx head design is symbolic of Egypt, a tribute to Southern Illinois’ nickname,“Little Egypt”.

TheCentralia mine disasteroccurred in 1947 when the nearby Centralia No. 5 coal mine exploded, killing 111 people.[7]The disaster was memorialized in folk singerWoody Guthrie's song "The Dying Miner".[7]

Geography

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Centralia is located approximately 60 miles (97 km) east ofSt. Louis, Missouri.Most of the city, including its downtown, is in southwestern Marion County, but the city extends west into Clinton County and south 5 miles (8 km) into Washington and Jefferson counties. The city is 10 miles (16 km) north of exit 61 ofInterstate 64and 9 miles (14 km) west of exit 109 ofInterstate 57.Centralia is one of three Illinois cities with portions in four counties, the others beingBarrington HillsandAurora.Because of its unique location within multiple counties, portions of Centralia are associated with differentCore Based Statistical Areas(CBSAs). The CentraliaMicropolitan Statistical Areaincludes all of Marion County. The Clinton County portion of the city is considered part of theSt. Louis,MO–ILMetropolitan Statistical Area,while the Jefferson County portion lies within theMt. VernonMicropolitan Statistical Area.The portion of Centralia in Washington County is not considered part of any metropolitan or micropolitan area.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Centralia has a total area of 9.23 square miles (23.91 km2), of which 8.20 square miles (21.24 km2) (or 88.81%) is land and 1.03 square miles (2.67 km2) (or 11.19%) is water.[8]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18703,190—
18803,62113.5%
18904,76331.5%
19006,72141.1%
19109,68044.0%
192012,49129.0%
193012,5830.7%
194016,34329.9%
195013,863−15.2%
196013,9040.3%
197015,96614.8%
198015,126−5.3%
199014,274−5.6%
200014,136−1.0%
201013,032−7.8%
202012,182−6.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

2020 census

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Centralia city, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[10] Pop 2010[11] Pop 2020[12] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
Whitealone (NH) 12,128 10,999 9,356 85.80% 84.40% 76.80%
Black or African Americanalone (NH) 1,456 1,317 1,333 10.30% 10.11% 10.94%
Native AmericanorAlaska Nativealone (NH) 33 42 22 0.23% 0.32% 0.18%
Asianalone (NH) 103 93 254 0.73% 0.71% 2.09%
Pacific Islanderalone (NH) 8 1 0 0.06% 0.01% 0.00%
Other racealone (NH) 20 6 49 0.14% 0.05% 0.40%
Mixed race or Multiracial(NH) 218 293 767 1.54% 2.25% 6.30%
Hispanic or Latino(any race) 170 281 401 1.20% 2.16% 3.29%
Total 14,136 13,032 12,182 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the2020 census[13]there were 12,182 people, 5,458 households, and 2,776 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,319.40 inhabitants per square mile (509.42/km2). There were 5,900 housing units at an average density of 639.01 per square mile (246.72/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 77.92%White,11.01%African American,0.24%Native American,2.09%Asian,0.01%Pacific Islander,1.33% fromother races,and 7.41% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 3.29% of the population.

There were 5,458 households, of which 25.9% had children under 18 living with them, 35.36% were married couples living together, 12.59% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.14% were non-families. 40.67% of all households comprised individuals, and 19.59% had someone who was 65 or older living alone. The average household size was 2.92, and the average family size was 2.20.

The city's age distribution consisted of 24.1% under 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 40.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,117, and the median income for a family was $60,754. Males had a median income of $38,632 versus $25,986 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $25,141. About 15.7% of families and 23.1% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 36.9% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

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Centralia Cultural Society

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The Centralia Cultural Society is a community arts center.[14]The center hosts the Centralia Philharmonic Orchestra (an amateur orchestra), the Little Theatre Players, the Choral Society, Bronze Expressions Handbell Ensemble; and periodically hosts galleries by the Light and Lens photography club, and Palette and Brush club, and student art shows.[15]The Little Theatre Players was established in 1961, and performs plays and musicals.[16][17][18]

Local features

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Centralia Bell Tower

Foundation Park is the site of the annual Balloon Fest. Recent events have had about forty balloons and drew 40,000 visitors. The Annual Centralia Balloon Festival was the event in which the second "Space Shuttle" hot air balloon crashed and burned due to a fuel line defect.[19]

Foundation Park also hosts the Fantasy of Lights drive-through holiday light display during November and December.[20]

In addition to Foundation Park, the Centralia Foundation supports the Centralia Carillon. Completed in 1983, with 65bells,thecarillonis ranked as the eighth-largest in the world. The largest bell, Great Tom, weighs5+1⁄2tons. Currently, the tower is under renovation and looking for a carillonneur.

One of only two remaining 2500-class steam locomotives from the Illinois Central Railroad is preserved on static display at Centralia's Fairview Park. The Age of Steam Memorial non-profit organization maintains the locomotive.[21]A 9415 caboose and a rareRepublic F-105 Thunderchiefaircraft are also on display in the park.[22]

Centralia Public Library

Historic downtown

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Centralia's downtown features historic architecture and has seen recent development, including the addition of a Splash Pad near the Centralia Carillon.

Commercial Historic District

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In 2012, thedowntown area of Centraliawas added to theNational Register of Historic Places.[23]Notable historic buildings include the former Langenfeld Hotel, Centralia House restaurant, Old National Bank buildings, Sadler Opera House, Centralia Sentinel Building, and the Illinois Theater.

The Langenfeld Hotel was "established in 1912 by John Langenfield" and "became the premier hotel in the area."[24]Images of the Langenfield Hotel have been used for postcards featuring Centralia.[25]The name Langenfield was also connected to the historic Langenfield Motor Company buildings.

TheCentralia Sentinel Buildinghouses the Centralia Morning Sentinel newspaper[26]and featuresEgyptian Revivalstyle architecture. This may be connected to Southern Illinois' nickname of "Egypt," or "Little Egypt."[27]

The Illinois Theater in downtown Centralia used to be a vaudeville and movie theater and is currently undergoing renovations that will enable it to seat 500 and hold professional entertainment performances.[28]

The Centralia Area Historical Museum

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The Centralia Area Historical Museum is free and contains three stories of photographs and artifacts from Centralia's extensive history as a major railway hub and mining town. The museum accepts items either as donations or through loans. In addition to the displays, the museum also contains the George Ross Library, which holds city history books, newspapers, periodicals, family histories, and genealogies.[29][30]

Parks and recreation

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Centralia's Foundation Park is a scenic 235-acre (0.95 km2) park that features hiking trails, an exercise trail, an ice skating pond, and two fishing ponds stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish. The park also sports a restored prairie, a 36-hole disc-golf course, a Chapel in the Woods, the Hall Shelter, the Sentinel Shelter, The Bowl (an outdoor amphitheater), Moose Oven, and the Miner's Memorial.[31]

Fairview Park includes baseball and softball fields, tennis and sand volleyball courts, a skate park, a swimming pool complex, playgrounds, and picnic shelters.[22]

The Centralia Recreational Complex is a 60,000-square-foot recreational facility with a walking track, indoor basketball courts, competition and leisure swimming pools, weight rooms, and exercise classrooms.[32]

Two lakes near Centralia offer water sports and fishing recreation.Raccoon Lakeis a 970-acre man-made lake. It was built in 1942 and is a waterreservoir.Boating and fishing are permitted on Raccoon Lake with the appropriate licenses and permits.[33]The lake hosts the annual Outboard Power Boat Races (as sponsored by the National Boat Racing Association and Outboard Drivers Association).[34]

Lake Centraliais a 412-acre man-made lake constructed in 1910. It is a reservoir and location for water sports activities such as boating and fishing. It has an average depth of 10 feet. It is located slightly northeast of Centralia.Largemouth bass,bluegill,crappie,andchannel catfishpopulate the lake. Fishing licenses and boating permits are required. Fishermen are limited to two pole and line fishing. Largemouth bass fishing tournaments are held on Centralia Lake, with 28 tournaments being held in 2018.[35]

Education

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Public elementary schools in Centralia include Schiller Elementary (PK-1st grade), Jordan Elementary (2nd-3rd grade), and Centralia Junior High School (4th-8th grade). According to the 2018-2019 Illinois Report Card for school districts, Schiller Elementary scored as a Lowest Performing school, Jordan Elementary as a Commendable school, and Centralia Jr. High as an Underperforming school.[36]

Private elementary schools in Centralia include Trinity Lutheran School (K-8), affiliated with Trinity Lutheran Church,[37]St. Mary School (Preschool and K-8), affiliated with St. Mary Catholic Church,[38]and New Horizon Christian School (Preschool and K-8), affiliated with Greenview Christian Church.[39]

Centralia's public high school is Centralia High School. Its sports teams are called the Orphans and Annies. The Centralia boys basketball team won its 2,000th game during the 2007–08 season, becoming the first high school basketball team in the nation to achieve that milestone.[40]The Centralia Orphans were the State Runner-Up in the 2011 Class 3A.

The Orphans got their unique nickname during the early 1900s when the boys' basketball team made it to the state tournament. The school was low on funds then, and the team was forced to pick its uniforms from a pile of non-matching red uniforms. At the state tournament, an announcer commented that the team looked like a bunch of orphans on the court because of their mismatched uniforms. The name stuck. Previously, the team had gone by nicknames such as the Reds and Cardinals. In 2013 and 2014, the Centralia Orphans were recently named the Most Unique Mascot in the nation byUSA Today.

The private Christ, Our Rock Lutheran High School first opened its doors in August 2004 with nine students. As of 2013, the student body has grown to over 100 students. Christ Our Rock is the home of the Silver Stallions.[41]

Post-secondary education is available atKaskaskia College,a community college serving the Centralia region. Kaskaskia College has extension centers in the surrounding towns ofVandalia,Salem,Greenville,Trenton,andNashville.The Harry L.Crisp Technology Center is located on the east side of Centralia and houses occupational and technical programs.[42]Kaskaskia College and its education centers also offer non-degree community education courses on subjects such as photography, gardening, and beekeeping.[43]

Kaskaskia College is also the site of the Jim Beasley Veteran's Tribute, honoring veterans connected to the Kaskaskia College District 501.[44]

TheAirgo International Flight Schoolis a Professional Flight Training school located at theCentralia Municipal Airport.[45]

Government

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Mayors of Centralia

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Infrastructure

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Transportation

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IL 161 runs east and west directly through Centralia, and US Highway 51 runs north and south through the city.

South Central Transitis the public transportation system for Centralia and surrounding areas.[47]

The City of Centralia owns and operates theCentralia Municipal Airport,a general aviation facility that can accommodate corporate and private aircraft. The runway is 5001 feet long. Airgo, Inc. is thefixed-base operatorat the Centralia Municipal Airport.[48]

Rail transportation

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See also:Centralia, Illinois (Amtrak station)

Amtrak,the national passenger rail system, provides service to Centralia. Amtrak Train 59, the southboundCity of New Orleans,departs Centralia at 12:25 am daily with service toCarbondale,Fulton,Newbern-Dyersburg,Memphis,Greenwood,Yazoo City,Jackson,Hazlehurst,Brookhaven,McComb,HammondandNew Orleans.Amtrak Train 58, the northboundCity of New Orleans,departs Centralia at 4:10 am daily with service toEffingham,Mattoon,Champaign-Urbana,Kankakee,HomewoodandChicago.Centralia is also served by Amtrak Train 390/391, theSaluki,daily in the morning, and Amtrak Train 392/393, theIllini,daily in the afternoon/evening. Both theSalukiand theIllinioperate between Chicago and Carbondale.

Correctional center

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TheCentralia Correctional Centeris a medium security prison for adult males opened in 1980. With an operating capacity of 1,572, its population in 2019 was 1,281.[citation needed]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^abcU.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Centralia, Illinois
  2. ^abChisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911)."Centralia".Encyclopædia Britannica(11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  3. ^"2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMarch 15,2022.
  4. ^"Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Centralia city, Illinois".U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived fromthe originalon February 12, 2020.RetrievedAugust 1,2014.
  5. ^"The Third Principal Meridian, Centralia Illinois".Principal Meridian Project.RetrievedMay 21,2012.
  6. ^"COMMUNITY FLAG DESIGN CHOSEN —WENDELL BAUER WINNER OF THE FIRST PRIZE; 22 DESIGNS IN".Centralia Sentinel.1924.
  7. ^abUnited States Mine Rescue Association."Centralia No. 5 Mine Explosion, Centralia, Illinois".Mine Disasters in the United States.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  8. ^"Gazetteer Files".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 29,2022.
  9. ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 4,2015.
  10. ^"P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Centralia city, Illinois".United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^"P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Centralia city, Illinois".United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^"P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Centralia city, Illinois".United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^"Explore Census Data".data.census.gov.RetrievedJune 28,2022.
  14. ^"Centralia Cultural Society".See Centralia, Illinois.RetrievedNovember 27,2019.
  15. ^"Centralia High School Art Show".See Centralia, Illinois.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
  16. ^Gullion, Toby (September 21, 2018)."GREASE Opens at the Centralia Cultural Society This Weekend".WJBD-FM.RetrievedNovember 27,2019.
  17. ^"Pinocchio – a kids play".See Centralia, Illinois.RetrievedNovember 27,2019.
  18. ^"Steel Magnolias".See Centralia, Illinois.RetrievedNovember 27,2019.
  19. ^"Centralia Balloon Fest".The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce.RetrievedNovember 17,2019.
  20. ^"Fantasy of Lights".See Centralia, Illinois.RetrievedNovember 30,2019.
  21. ^"Age of Steam Memorial - IC 2500 Steam Locomotive".ageofsteammemorial.org.RetrievedNovember 17,2019.
  22. ^ab"Fairview Park".See Centralia, Illinois.RetrievedDecember 5,2019.
  23. ^Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (3/2/1934 - ) (2013–2017).Illinois SP Centralia Commercial Historic District.File Unit: National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Illinois, 1964 - 2013.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^"Langenfeld Hotel · Chronicling Illinois".alplm-cdi.com.RetrievedDecember 7,2019.
  25. ^"IL Centralia LITHO 1913 LANGENFELD HOTEL & Dirt Street Scene No.32400 | #1627441058".Worthpoint.RetrievedDecember 7,2019.
  26. ^"Centralia Morning Sentinel newspaper in Centralia Illinois - MondoTimes.com".www.mondotimes.com.RetrievedDecember 7,2019.
  27. ^"Egypt".www.illinoishistory.com.RetrievedDecember 7,2019.
  28. ^"Illinois Theatre".See Centralia, Illinois.RetrievedDecember 7,2019.
  29. ^"About Us".Centralia Area Historical Museum.November 7, 2018.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
  30. ^"George Ross Library".Centralia Area Historical Museum.November 9, 2018.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
  31. ^"Foundation Park".See Centralia, Illinois.RetrievedNovember 17,2019.
  32. ^"Centralia Recreation Complex, Gym, Indoor Pool, Southern Illinois, Centralia".www.centraliarecreationcomplex.com.RetrievedDecember 5,2019.
  33. ^"Lake Profile -- RACCOON LAKE".www.ifishillinois.org.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
  34. ^"Outboard Power Boat Races".See Centralia, Illinois.February 10, 2020.RetrievedApril 4,2022.
  35. ^"Lake Profile -- CENTRALIA LAKE".www.ifishillinois.org.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
  36. ^"Illinois Report Card".www.illinoisreportcard.com.RetrievedDecember 6,2019.
  37. ^Solutions, TechKnow."Trinity Lutheran School | Centralia, IL | Trinity Lutheran".RetrievedDecember 6,2019.
  38. ^"Welcome".www.smscentralia.org.RetrievedDecember 6,2019.
  39. ^"Schools Near Me | United States | New Horizon Christian School".NHCS.RetrievedDecember 6,2019.
  40. ^"High School's Winningest Team".American Profile.February 15, 2004.RetrievedNovember 17,2019.
  41. ^"Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School, Centralia, Illinois".Corlhs.org.RetrievedJune 6,2014.
  42. ^"Crisp Technology Center - Kaskaskia College".www.kaskaskia.edu.RetrievedDecember 6,2019.
  43. ^"Continuing and Community Education - Kaskaskia College".www.kaskaskia.edu.RetrievedDecember 6,2019.
  44. ^"Jim Beasley Veterans Tribute".vets.kaskaskia.edu.RetrievedDecember 6,2019.
  45. ^"AirGo".flyairgo.com.RetrievedDecember 6,2019.
  46. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalamanaoapaqarLindop, John (April 15, 1959)."Picture Parade of Centralia's 28 mayors".Centralia Evening Sentinel– viaNewspaperArchive.com.
  47. ^"Description of Service".SCT.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
  48. ^"Centralia Municipal Airport".See Centralia, Illinois.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
  49. ^"86th Academy Awards Winners | Oscar Legacy | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences".www.oscars.org.Archived fromthe originalon October 6, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 11,2022.
  50. ^abHarlem globetrotter all time roster.http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/harlem-globetrotters-all-time-rosterArchived2012-12-08 at theWayback Machine.Access date 5 June 2014
  51. ^'Illinois Blue Book 1947–1948,' Biographical Sketch of Ora A. Oldfield, pg. 258-29

49.https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=006500050HArt%2E+6&ActID=802&ChapterID=14&SeqStart=60100000&SeqEnd=64500000

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