Centralia is a community rich in history. Founded in 1857 as a station on a new railroad from St. Louis to Ottumwa, Iowa, the city's economics, street patterns and lifestyles were substantially influenced by this transportation. In 1864, a guerilla band ambushed a train carrying Union soldiers. The massacre and subsequent direct battle resulted in more than 100 deaths. Markers commemorating these events are on Railroad Street, the City Square and the battlefield itself. Which is open to the public and is located 2 miles south east of Centralia.
In Centralia, quality of life is very evident with 4 recreation parks, annual events like the Centralia Anchor Festival, schools accredited with Distinction in Performance and an extremely civic minded population. The Anchor Festival is a Spring event that includes family style stage entertainment, contests, demonstrations, arts and crafts and a street carnival in the downtown City Square park area.
Centralia is the corporate headquarters for A.B. Chance/Hubbell Power Systems, an international company specializing in the manufacture of apparatus, construction materials and tools for power and telephone utilities. The facility employs people in engineering, manufacturing and marketing.
The community boasts a pro-business attitude with involvement from all sectors of the community helping Centralia grow and prosper.
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