Centerville, Delaware facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Centreville, Delaware
Centerville
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 Centerville, Delaware
Location in Delaware
Centerville, Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Delaware |
| County | New Castle |
| Elevation | 436 ft (133 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 302 |
| GNIS feature ID | 213782 |
Centerville, also known as Centreville, is a small, unincorporated community in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's not an official city or town with its own local government. Centerville is mainly known for being the location of large estates belonging to the wealthy Du Pont family and other important business families from nearby Wilmington. It was also once home to Delaware Governor Jack Markell.
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History of Centerville
The village of Centerville grew up along an old road called the Kennett and Wilmington Pike. This road was created in 1811. Today, this road is known as Delaware Route 52, or the Kennett Pike. It is part of the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, which is a special road recognized for its beautiful scenery.
Centerville got its name because it was located about halfway between Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and Wilmington. A group of fifteen houses, which made up most of the village, was recognized as the Centreville Historic District in 1982. This means these buildings are important for their history. Around the same time, other nearby historic places like the Joseph Chandler House, the Carpenter-Lippincott House, and Mt. Airy School No. 27 were also recognized. The Centre Meeting and Schoolhouse was listed even earlier, in 1971.
In 1890, Centerville had 110 people living there. The population stayed the same in 1900, but by 1925, it had grown to 210 people.
Where is Centerville?
Centerville is located at 39°49′17″N 75°37′00″W / 39.82139°N 75.61667°W. It sits right on the border with Pennsylvania. The community is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north-northwest of Wilmington. Centerville's elevation, or how high it is above sea level, is 436 feet.
Fun Places to Visit in Centerville
There are several interesting places near Centerville. Brandywine Creek State Park is a large park located just southeast of the village center. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
Also close by are the Delaware Museum of Natural History and the Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library. These attractions are located just south of Centerville, along Delaware Route 52. The natural history museum has exhibits about animals and the environment. Winterthur is a famous museum with a beautiful garden and library.
Schools in Centerville
Centerville is home to two schools: Layton Preparatory School and the Centreville Layton School. These schools provide education for students in the area.
Famous People from Centerville
Centerville has been home to some notable individuals:
- Isaac Collins was born in Centerville. He was a colonial printer, publisher, bookseller, and merchant. This means he printed books and newspapers, sold them, and traded goods during America's early history.
- Michael Spinks is a professional boxer who was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He later became a resident of Centerville. He was a former two-division boxing champion.
