Centralia, Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Centralia
City
Centralia downtown historic district
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Nickname(s):  Hub City, City of Azaleas
Location of Centralia, Washington
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Lewis
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area
• Total	7.81 sq mi (20.22 km2)
• Land	7.62 sq mi (19.74 km2)
• Water	0.19 sq mi (0.48 km2)
Elevation	187 ft (57 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	18,183
• Estimate  (2021)	18,629
• Density	2,386.22/sq mi (921.12/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	98531
Area code(s)	360
FIPS code	53-11160
GNIS feature ID	1503899

Centralia is a city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. It is located along Interstate 5, about halfway between Seattle and Portland, Oregon. In 2020, about 18,183 people lived there. Centralia is often called a "twin city" with Chehalis, which is just south of it.

History of Centralia

Centralia has a rich history, starting in the 1850s. It was once a key stopping point for travelers.

Early Beginnings and Founding

In the 1850s, the Borst Home in Centralia was a busy place. It had a ferry and was a halfway stop for stagecoaches. These coaches traveled between Kalama, Washington, and Tacoma.

In 1850, a family named Cochran arrived. They were led by their adopted son, George Washington (Washington pioneer). He was a free African-American man. The family worried he might be forced into slavery if they stayed in Missouri. This was because of a new law called the Compromise of 1850.

In 1852, Mr. Cochran claimed land near the Borst Home. He later sold it to George Washington for $6,000. This was possible because Washington Territory allowed African-Americans to own land.

Town Growth and Name Change

In 1872, George Washington learned that the Northern Pacific Railway was coming. He then planned a town called Centerville. He named the streets after places in the Bible. He sold land lots for $10 each. If someone built a house, they got one lot for free.

Later, people found out another town in Washington had the same name. So, on February 3, 1886, the town was officially named Centralia. A new settler from Centralia, Illinois suggested the name.

The town grew quickly. But then, in 1893, the Northern Pacific Railway went bankrupt. This caused a tough economic time for Centralia. George Washington helped the town by lending money and forgiving debts. This kept Centralia going until the economy got better.

After that, Centralia grew again. Its main industries were coal, lumber, and dairy farming. When George Washington died in 1905, all businesses in town closed. About 5,000 people attended his funeral.

A Difficult Event in 1919

On November 11, 1919, a sad event happened in Centralia. It is known as the Centralia Tragedy. Members of the American Legion were marching in an Armistice Day parade. Many had just returned from World War I. They were upset that their jobs were taken by union members. These union members belonged to the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

The Legionnaires marched with loaded weapons. They broke from the parade and went to the IWW hall. They wanted to stop the union's efforts. It is still debated who fired first. But IWW workers, led by Wesley Everest, fought back. Four Legionnaires were killed. Wesley Everest was captured and later died in jail. Other IWW members were also jailed.

This event made headlines around the world. It, along with similar events, slowed down the American labor movement. This changed only when the Great Depression hit in the 1930s.

Modern Centralia's Growth

Centralia became important again because it was the midpoint between Seattle and Portland. This happened during the building of Interstate 5. As older industries like logging declined, Centralia focused on new things. It developed businesses for travelers, like food, hotels, and shops. It also became a center for shipping and warehouses. This led to a 60% population growth over the last 40 years.

Geography of Centralia

Centralia covers about 7.56 square miles (19.58 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Climate in Centralia

Centralia has warm, dry summers. The average monthly temperatures do not go above 71.6°F (22°C). This type of weather is called a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. Temperatures are usually mild. Centralia is generally warmer in summer and colder in winter than places further north.

Population and People

Centralia has grown steadily over the years.

What the 2010 Census Showed

In 2010, Centralia had 16,336 people living in 6,640 households. About 3,867 of these were families. The city had about 2,201 people per square mile.

Most residents (85.1%) were White. About 16.1% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

About 31.6% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.41 people. The average family had 3.06 people. The median age in the city was 34.8 years.

Economy and Jobs

Centralia's economy has changed a lot over time.

Past Industries and Changes

Centralia started as a railroad town. Its economy depended on railroads, timber, coal, and farming. At one point, five different railroad lines crossed in Centralia.

In 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens greatly affected the local lumber industry. Many trees and stored lumber were damaged. This caused unemployment to rise. The town lost many of its retail stores.

New Growth and Shopping

In 1988, London Fog opened the first factory outlet store in the Northwest. They chose Centralia because it was halfway between major cities. This success led to the first factory outlet center in the region. It made Centralia a popular shopping spot for tourists. This also helped the downtown area become a place for antique, art, and specialty shops.

The Port of Centralia was created in 1986. It helps with industrial and business development. It started building its operations in 1988. The port has grown and won an award in 1994. By 2016, the Port of Centralia had 30 businesses. These businesses employed 800 people.

Chehalis Mints started in Centralia in 1994. They make different kinds of mint and mint chocolate candies. Their products are mostly sold in the Pacific Northwest.

Coal Mine and Power Plant Changes

In 2006, TransAlta, a big employer, announced changes. They would close the Centralia Coal Mine, which was the last one in Washington. The company offered land and money to help the community. Despite worries, Centralia's economy was not badly affected. The city continued to grow. The mine site is now being restored. It might become a recreation area in the future.

The Centralia Power Plant was built in the 1970s. It was Washington state's last coal-powered energy factory. It will close permanently in 2025. The company, TransAlta, created a $20 million fund. This fund helps train and educate remaining employees. The land at the site is slowly being prepared for public and business use. This includes planting trees and maintaining wetlands.

Arts and Culture

Centralia has many fun events and interesting places.

Festivals and Events

• Hub City Car Show: This annual event is held in late summer. It takes place in the downtown area.
• Centralia Campout: This is a week-long gathering of folk musicians. It happens in August and features American Old-time music.
• Centralia Lighted Tractor Parade: This annual winter holiday event started in 2009. It features tractors decorated with lights.
• Girls Night Out: This event happens twice a year. It supports downtown businesses and raises money for local charities.

Historic Buildings and Sites

Centralia Timberland Library

The interior of Centralia Union Depot

• Carnegie Library: Built in 1913, this library is in Washington Park. It is now part of the Timberland Regional Library system.
• Centralia Union Depot: This beautiful train station was built in 1912. It has red brick and vintage oak benches. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Amtrak trains still use it.
• Fort Borst Park: This park has the Fort Borst blockhouse and the Borst Home. The blockhouse was built in 1856. It was used for grain storage during conflicts with Native Americans. The Borst Home was built in 1864. The park also has a recreated one-room schoolhouse and a church.
• Other Historic Sites: Centralia has other places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the George E. Birge House and the Hubbard Bungalow. The Centralia Downtown Historic District is also historic. It includes the McMenamin's Olympic Club Hotel & Theater, which opened in 1908.
• Salzer Valley Schoolhouse: This one-room schoolhouse was built in 1894. It was a school until 1944.

Movie Theaters

Centralia once had the Twin City Drive-In movie theater. It opened in 1933 as an outdoor screen. Later, it added a second screen. The drive-in also had a train ride for children. Over time, the theater closed down. In 2023, a fire destroyed the remaining building.

Music and Art

• Music: The rock band Harvey Danger used Centralia as a metaphor in their song "Moral Centralia."
• Public Art: You can find murals throughout historic downtown Centralia. Some show the city's founder, George Washington. Others show Buffalo Bill or an abstract mural about the 1919 Centralia Tragedy.
• Centralia is part of the ARTrails of Southwest Washington. This group showcases local artists and galleries. They hold an annual studio tour.

Theater

The Evergreen Playhouse has been in Centralia since 1959. It started as a small group performing in a ballroom. In 1972, they bought their own theater. The playhouse is run by volunteers and has never lost money. It is still located near the downtown area.

Sports in Centralia

Centralia has a history with sports.

Baseball and Biking

In the early 1900s, Centralia had a minor league baseball team. They were called the Midgets, Pets, and Railroaders. They won a championship in 1911. The team played at Riverside Park.

A bicycle event called the Centralia to Chehalis Bike Ride was held for many years. The route went from George Washington Park to the Chehalis–Centralia Airport. It ended at the Recreation Park Complex in Chehalis.

Parks and Recreation

Centralia has many parks and recreational areas for everyone to enjoy.

George Washington Park, 2023

Community Parks and Facilities

Centralia's parks include natural areas, neighborhood parks, and community parks. There are also sports fields and water parks.

• George Washington Park: Located downtown, this park is home to the Centralia Timberland Library. It has a statue called The Sentinel and the Freedom Walk War Memorial. These honor soldiers who died in World War I. The statue also remembers the American Legion members who died in the 1919 Armistice Day event. A plaque honoring the IWW members was added in 2023.
• Seminary Hill Natural Area: This preserve covers over 80 acres (32 hectares). It has more than two miles of trails.
• Riverside Park: This 4.5-acre (1.8-hectare) park is along the Skookumchuck River. It has a large skate park and a covered playground.
• Bob Peters Field: This sports complex is at Centralia College. It has fields for baseball, softball, and soccer. It was completed in 2023.
• Veteran's Memorial Pearl Street Pool: This community pool was built in the 1950s. It closed in 2011 due to high costs. The city decided to permanently close it in 2023. The area now has a playground and spray park.
• Centralia Community Pool: This second community pool was built in the 1970s. It is open to all residents, with priority for children and school activities.

Fort Borst Park

Fort Borst Park is Centralia's largest park. It covers 101 acres (41 hectares) where the Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers meet. It has paved trails, a dog park, and a large picnic area. You can fish from the river banks or use the boat launch. Borst Lake in the park is stocked with rainbow trout.

The park also has the original Borst Home, a recreated schoolhouse, and a pioneer church. The Borst Park Arboretum, created in 1960, has almost 200 trees and many rhododendrons. The park hosts a Christmas light event called "Fort Borst Park Drive-Through Lights."

Inside Fort Borst Park is the NW Sports Hub. This 76,500-square-foot (7,100 square meter) complex opened in 2014. It has indoor courts for volleyball and basketball. It also has fields for indoor baseball and soccer. Outside, there are Little League fields, tennis courts, and soccer fields. The Centralia High School track stadium is also there. The complex hosts many sports tournaments and events.

Education in Centralia

Students in Centralia are part of the Centralia School District.

Centralia College

Centralia College panorama

Centralia College is the oldest continuously operating junior college in Washington state. It was founded on September 14, 1925.

Media in Centralia

Centralia has local newspapers and radio stations.

Newspapers

The main newspaper in Centralia is The Chronicle. It serves most of Lewis County. There are also smaller community newspapers published every two weeks.

Radio

Centralia has two AM radio stations: KELA - 1470 AM and KITI - 1420 AM. There is also an FM station, KCED - 91.3 FM. You can also listen to stations from nearby Chehalis and Olympia.

Transportation and Utilities

Centralia has important transportation links and city services.

Transportation

Air Travel

Centralia is served by the Chehalis–Centralia Airport. The city used to co-own the airport but left the agreement in 2004. Centralia also had its own municipal air field in the past, which opened in 1927 but closed in the 1930s.

Railroads

Amtrak, the national passenger train system, serves Centralia. Trains stop at the renovated 1912 railroad depot. The southbound Coast Starlight train goes to Portland, Sacramento, and Los Angeles. The northbound Coast Starlight goes to Olympia, Tacoma, and Seattle. Amtrak Cascades trains also serve Centralia daily. These trains go as far north as Vancouver, British Columbia, and as far south as Eugene, Oregon.

Utilities

Communications

Telephone service in Centralia began in 1891. The first customer was a pair of lawyers. By 1910, over 500 customers had phone lines. By the mid-1960s, over 12,000 customers in Centralia and Chehalis had phone service.

Water and Wastewater

In 2023, Centralia received money to find lead pipes in the city's water system. The city has found very few lead connections since the 1970s.

Centralia built a new wastewater treatment facility starting in 2001. It processes a lot of wastewater every day. This new facility replaced an older one built in 1951.

Notable People from Centralia

See also

In Spanish: Centralia (Washington) para niños