Centerville is a city in Appanoose County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,924 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Appanoose County^GR6. After the turn of the 20th century Centerville had a booming coal mining industry that attracted many European immigrants. The town today remains the home of many Swedish-Americans, Italian-Americans, Croatian-Americans and others descended from immigrants who worked in the mines. Appanoose County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Official language(s) English Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines Area  Ranked 26th  - Total 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km²)  - Width 310 miles (500 km)  - Length 199 miles (320 km)  - % water 0. ... A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... Appanoose County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Surface coal mining in Wyoming. ... Swedish-Americans are the Americans with Swedish heritage, most often related to the large groups of immigrants from Sweden in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. ... An Italian-American is an American of Italian descent. ... Croatian-Americans are citizens of the United States who are of Croatian ancestry. ...

Geography

Centerville is located at 40°43′47″N, 92°52′19″W (40.729836, -92.872012)^GR1. Adapted from Wikipedias IA county maps by Seth Ilys. ...

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.8 km² (4.6 mi²). 11.7 km² (4.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.88%) is water. Wierdos like Marla live in Centerville. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ...

History

Founded in 1846 by Jonathon Stratton under the name of Chaldea, the town was planned around a unique two-block long city square. The name was later changed to Centerville and incorporated in 1855. 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... For other uses, see Chaldean. ... In local government, incorporation occurs when municipalities such as cities, towns, townships, villages, and boroughs become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which they are located. ... Year 1855 (MDCCCLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

The town experienced its peak population in the early 1900s as the popularity of coal peaked. After that point, as coal usage dwindled, the coal industry that had been the town's life blood collapsed. In the 1950s and 1960s a civic movement to promote new industries began. This effort culminated in the building of Rathbun Dam, near the town of Rathbun, Iowa, forming Rathbun Lake, known as "Iowa's Ocean", that was dedicated on July 31, 1971 by President Richard M. Nixon. Coal Coal (IPA: ) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. ... Coal Coal (IPA: ) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. ... Ronda, Spain Main street in Bastrop, Texas, United States, a small town A town is a community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands, although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan areas. ... Rathbun is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ... Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994) was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. ...

Today the town is supported by several small industrial plants, mostly in the area of plastic products. In June of 2006 the Centerville Daily Iowegian reported the largest employer in town, a Rubbermaid plant, would shut down in September 2006 displacing 500 workers. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Newell Rubbermaid Co. ...

As county seat, Centerville had a thriving retail sector, serving people from smaller towns and farms in the area as well as local residents. Many shops were located around the Courthouse Square Historic District, which has hundreds of parking spaces between the shops' sidewalks and the courthouse lawn--in effect, six-lane wide streeting around the Appanoose County Courthouse provides four lanes of public parking. In the latter decades of the 20th century, Centerville, like many other small American towns, experienced a change in its retail economy as many long-established locally owned shops closed, due in large part to loss of business to large nationally owned retailers. Many of the former stores have been replaced by specialty gift shops and antique stores, catering to tourists as well as locals. The Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) is an informal collaboration of academics devoted to Mormon apologetics. ... The Centerville Courthouse Square Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 through the efforts of the Centerville Historic Preservation Commission. ... For the former Microsoft owned website see: Sidewalk. ... The Appanoose County Courthouse is located in the center of the Courthouse Square Historic District in the county seat of Centerville, Iowa. ...

In 1999, the Lake Center Mall was destroyed by an act of arson. The entire site sat unoccupied until a cineplex and a Pizza Ranch was built there in the early 2000's. The Pizza Ranch, Inc. ... This article is about the decade starting at the beginning of 2000 and ending at the end of 2009. ...

In 1984 The Appanoose County Community Railroad was formed out of discarded pieces of the Wabash and Rock Island lines to maintain a rail link to the outside world. Forming the railroad helped to bring Rubbermaid to the town. The Appanoose County Community Railroad (AAR reporting marks APNC) is based out of Centerville, Iowa. ... Newell Rubbermaid Co. ...

From the 1990s to the present day, the town has focused on quality-of-life issues, in an attempt to attract and keep young families in the area. A new emphasis on the arts, culture and local history has emerged, culminating in the Townscape project to beautify the Courthouse Square Historic District. The Centerville Courthouse Square Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 through the efforts of the Centerville Historic Preservation Commission. ...

Notable natives

Centerville is the birthplace and childhood home of the African American Metropolitan Opera baritone Simon Estes, who is a 1956 graduate of Centerville High School. It is also the home of former Governor of Iowa Francis M. Drake, who established Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... Simon Estes (2 February 1938-) is an America bass-baritone singer. ... This is a list of Governors of Iowa: See also Iowa Iowa Territory Governors of Iowa Territory Categories: Lists of United States governors | Governors of Iowa ... Francis Marion Drake was born December 30, 1830 in Rushville, Illinois, the son of John Adams Drake and Harriet Jane ONeal. ... Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa. ... “Des Moines” redirects here. ...

Centerville is also the birthplace of several members of the Spooner and Payton Families that were well known in the stock theater, including Corse Payton, Claude Payton, Franklin Edward Spooner, Mary Gibbs Spooner, Edna May Spooner and Cecil Spooner. Claude Duval Payton (20 March 1882, Centerville, Iowa - 1 March 1955, Los Angeles, California) was an American actor. ...

In 2006, Danny Wolf, the lead vocalist of Small Towns Burn A Little Slower, moved to Centerville with his wife, Kelli. Kelli holds a teaching position at Howar Junior High. Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Small Towns Burn A Little Slower is a band from St. ...

Events

Pancake Day

Since 1949 the city has conducted an annual Pancake Day festival, held the last Saturday in September, in which local businesses and organizations cook up pancakes which they provide for free to their customers to show thanks for their continued patronage. The event that is held in the Courthouse Square Historic District features a morning kiddie parade, a larger afternoon parade, a beauty queen contest and free entertainment. The Centerville Courthouse Square Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 through the efforts of the Centerville Historic Preservation Commission. ...

Pancake Day has been attended by many well-known celebrities including every Governor of Iowa since 1949 along with Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver, J. C. Penney, Philip W. Pillsbury, former Governor of New York, W. Averell Harriman, Muriel Humphrey, Rocky Marciano and Centerville Native Simon Estes. Entertainers have included Barbara Mandrell and Minnie Pearl. This is a list of Governors of Iowa: See also Iowa Iowa Territory Governors of Iowa Territory Categories: Lists of United States governors | Governors of Iowa ... The issue of Time Magazine in which Kefauvers victory in the New Hampshire primary was reported. ... James Cash Penney (born September 16, 1875 in Hamilton, Missouri, USA - died February 12, 1971 in New York City, USA) was a businessman and entrepreneur. ... This is a list of the Governors of New York. ... William Averell Harriman William Averell Harriman (November 15, 1891 – July 26, 1986) was an American Democratic Party politician, businessman and diplomat. ... Muriel Humphrey Muriel Buck Humphrey (February 20, 1912 – September 20, 1998) was the wife of Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, and a United States Senator. ... Rocky Marciano (September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969), born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1952 to 1956. ... Simon Estes (2 February 1938-) is an America bass-baritone singer. ... Barbara Mandrell (b. ... Minnie Pearl was the stage name of Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon (October 25, 1912 - March 4, 1996). ...

Croatian Fest

Croatian Fest has been held in Centerville on the last Saturday in July since 1987 to celebrate the areas Croatian Heritage. It is celebrated with colorful ethnic costumes, music, dancing and entertainment, as well as home-cooked ethnic food. The event includes an afternoon Polka Mass celebrated at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church.

Croatian Fest was held in the Courthouse Square Historic District thru 2004 and is now held at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The Centerville Courthouse Square Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 through the efforts of the Centerville Historic Preservation Commission. ... Knights of Columbus emblem The Order of the Knights of Columbus is the worlds largest Catholic fraternal service organization. ...

Education

The school district serving Centerville is the K-12 Centerville Community School District. It consists of Centerville High School, Howar Junior High, Lakeview Middle School and Central, Lincoln and Garfield Grade Schools all located in Centerville and the Cincinnati Grade School and Mystic Grade School located in the communities of Cincinnati and Mystic. Centerville High School may refer to: Centerville High School (Centerville, Ohio), a high school in Ohio. ... Cincinnati is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ... Mystic is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ...

The mascot name for Centerville High School is the "Big Reds" and "Redettes" with the school colors being Scarlet and Black.

The first Centerville High School graduate--and the one and only graduate from the Class of 1876--was Jennie Drake, the daughter of former Governor of Iowa Francis M. Drake. The first African-American graduate was Joseph Edwin Herriford, a graduate from the Class of 1885. This is a list of Governors of Iowa: See also Iowa Iowa Territory Governors of Iowa Territory Categories: Lists of United States governors | Governors of Iowa ... Francis Marion Drake was born December 30, 1830 in Rushville, Illinois, the son of John Adams Drake and Harriet Jane ONeal. ... Languages Predominantly American English Religions Protestantism (chiefly Baptist and Methodist); Roman Catholicism; Islam Related ethnic groups Sub-Saharan Africans and other African groups, some with Native American groups. ...

Centerville is the home of the Centerville Campus of Indian Hills Community College, a two year community college, that was established in 1930 as Centerville Junior College. It later merged with the area community college of Indian Hills Community College, which has its main campus located in Ottumwa, Iowa. Indian Hills Community College is a two year public community area community college located in Southeast Iowa with campuses located in Ottumwa, Iowa and Centerville, Iowa. ... Ottumwa (pronounced Uh-tuhm-wa) is a city in Wapello County, Iowa. ...

Media

Newspapers

Ad Express Centerville Daily Iowegian The Daily Iowegian (and Wednesday Ad Express) is a five-day (Tuesday through Saturday) daily newspaper published in Centerville, Iowa and covering Appanoose and Wayne counties in Iowa, and Putnam County, Missouri. ...

AM Radio Stations

KCOG 1400 The True Oldies Channel KCOG 1400 AM is located in Centerville, Iowa and began broadcasting on February 27, 1949. ... The True Oldies Channel is a syndicated radio programming stream, hosted by legendary American radio personality Scott Shannon. ...

FM Radio Stations

KMGO 98.7 Iowa's # 1 Country

Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 5,924 people, 2,583 households, and 1,516 families residing in the city. The population density was 506.0/km² (1,310.5/mi²). There were 2,935 housing units at an average density of 250.7/km² (649.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.35% White, 0.81% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.44% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.52% of the population. 1870 US Census for New York City A census is the process of obtaining information about every member of a population (not necessarily a human population). ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ...

There were 2,583 households out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.88. Marriage is an interpersonal relationship with governmental, social, or religious recognition, usually intimate and sexual, and often created as a contract, or through civil process. ...

In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,498, and the median income for a family was $36,855. Males had a median income of $28,333 versus $21,207 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,574. About 11.3% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over. The per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...

External links

• Maps and aerial photos for 40°43′47″N 92°52′19″W / 40.729836, -92.872012Coordinates: 40°43′47″N 92°52′19″W / 40.729836, -92.872012
  • Maps from WikiMapia, Google Maps, Live Search Maps, Yahoo! Maps, or MapQuest
  • Topographic maps from TopoZone or TerraServer-USA
• Centerville Tourism Website

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Appanoose County, Iowa County seat: Centerville

Cities

Centerville | Cincinnati | Exline | Moravia | Moulton | Mystic | Numa | Plano | Rathbun | Udell | Unionville Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Image File history File links Map_of_Iowa_highlighting_Appanoose_County. ... Appanoose County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Official language(s) English Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines Area  Ranked 26th  - Total 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km²)  - Width 310 miles (500 km)  - Length 199 miles (320 km)  - % water 0. ... A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... Look up city, City in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Cincinnati is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ... Exline is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ... Moravia is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ... Moulton is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ... Mystic is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ... Numa is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ... Plano is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ... Rathbun is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ... Udell is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ... Unionville is a city located in Appanoose County, Iowa. ...