Centerville, Alpine County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Centerville
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Former settlement
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 Centerville
Location in California
Centerville
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Alpine County |
| Elevation | 5,951 ft (1,814 m) |
Centerville was once a busy little town in Alpine County, California, United States. Today, it is known as a "former settlement" or a ghost town. This means it was once a populated place, but now very little of the original town remains. It sits at an elevation of about 1,814 meters (5,951 feet) above sea level.
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Centerville: A Historic California Settlement
Centerville was an important place during the 1850s and 1860s. It was located along a major travel route for stagecoaches. This route connected the Silver King Valley with the East Fork of the Carson River. Because of its location, Centerville became a busy center for trade and business.
Life in Centerville
Centerville was described as a "small village." It had several important businesses that served the people living there and travelers passing through. These included stores where people could buy supplies, a tavern for drinks and socializing, and a hotel called the Centerville House.
The town played a key role in supporting the local mining industry. Mines needed a lot of wood for different purposes. Centerville helped by supplying lumber for things like:
- Flumes (channels for water)
- Bridges
- Tunnels
- Fencing
- Buildings
- Heating
A sawmill, owned by a man named Richardson, was located in Centerville during the 1860s. This mill helped process the wood needed for the mines and the growing town.
Why Centerville Disappeared
In 1864, an important election was held to decide which town would be the county seat for Alpine County. The county seat is the main town where the government offices are located. Centerville was one of the towns hoping to win this title. However, Markleeville received the most votes and became the county seat. This was a big setback for Centerville.
The town faced another challenge in 1872. A fire destroyed the home of the town's butcher. This house was located at the corner of Montgomery and Jackson streets. After this fire, the rest of the town quickly began to fade away. People moved on, and businesses closed.
Centerville Today
Today, very little is left of the original Centerville settlement. Most of the buildings are gone. However, its history is still remembered. In 2013, a special marker was put up by E Clampus Vitus. This is a unique historical organization that places plaques to mark important historical sites.
The area where Centerville once stood is now used as the Centerville Flat campground. Visitors can camp there and imagine what life was like in this historic California settlement.
