January 2014
Paramount Club Spurgeon best at CHS Orphans on top
Wonder Five Head Start Centralia House
Centralia
contents Features 3
Paramount Club
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Spurgeon among best at CHS
8
Fairview Park
6
12 Orphans on top 14 Wonder Five 16 Head Start 20 Centralia House
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from the cover
Orphans at the Holiday Tournament.
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January 2014
Story by Robbie Edwards
Paramount Club was considered to be one of the Midwest’s finest nightclubs, located three miles south of Centralia on Highway 51. The Paramount was a place to dine on steak dinners and dance the night away to live music. It has been said by local residents like Marietta Broughton that the oil boom of the 1930s could have inspired the
January 2014
grand opening of nightclubs like the Paramount. The club had a stage for entertainers to perform on, a spacious dance floor and plenty of seating. Elvin N. Woods, also known to some as “Fats” Woods, was the owner of the Paramount from 1940 to 1953. Garland Warknock, the grandson of Woods, reminisced about his grandfather and the stories he
grew up hearing about the club. “It was considered the hot spot of Southern Illinois,” Warknock said. Warknock stated that there was a strict dress code just to get into the nightclub. Men were required to wear suits and women wore dresses. Big name bands were known for playing at the club. “Live music could be heard three to
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four nights a week,” Warknock said. He also said there were a few famous faces that graced the stage such as Glen Dorsey, Paul Whitehead and Jimmy Durante. It was rumored by a few that Doris Day may have visited but Warknock said he couldn’t confirm that. There were houses behind the Paramount that were owned by the
club. These houses were used by the owner’s family and occasionally made available to the performers who were playing at the club. Besides the dining and the live music there was a backroom gambling scene. On a few occasions, the club was raided and fined for keeping gambling equipment. Historical records were unclear
about who owned the club between the years 1954 to 1958. Les Simcox became the owner in 1959 and ran it until the club closed down in 1963. Jack Simcox, the son of Les, spoke about the club
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while his dad owned it. Jack said there were live bands, great food and the backroom gambling continued. Area residents of Centralia like Jerry Tucker spoke about hanging out at the nightclub. Tucker said he did gamble at the Paramount a few times. He mentioned there being high stakes poker games located at the back of the club. “There was dancing, cocktails and gambling,” Tucker said. The Paramount officially closed its doors in February 1963. A police raid was one of the main reasons behind the closure. According to the records, state police confiscated gambling equipment and charged five men at the Paramount Club. The raid was led by District 13 Capt. Elza Brantley, and Sheriff Virgil May of Washington County. “The club got raided in February 1963 and that is why it closed down, the liquor license was jerked by the State of Illinois,” Jack said. Today the old building which housed the club can be found across from the water treatment plant, where the memories of the upscale nightclub can be reminisced about by the many who enjoyed it in the past.
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Story by Rick Hayes
One of Centralia High School’s most decorated athletes, Lowell Spurgeon still holds some elusive school records that may never be broken. Spurgeon died in 2004 at the age of 87. During his time at CHS, Spurgeon earned 12 varsity letters. He played basketball, football, and ran track. Here’s some of his accomplishments during his high school career. n He was an All-State selection in both football and basketball his junior and senior years. n He holds CHS career records of most points (297) and touchdowns (45). n Starred on Centralia High basketball teams that had a 62-9 cumulative record in two years. n Won four first place finishes at the state track meeting, scoring 32 cumulative points — the best in CHS history. n He still holds the CHS record of 23-10 3/4 in the long jump. He 6
among best established state records in the high jump and long jump at state — records that would stand until the late 1950’s. n Was a regular of football
teams all three years as a runner, kicker and passer. Spurgeon graduated in 1934 from CHS, and he was an inaugural
inductee when the Centralia Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1981. Spurgeon served on the school’s Hall of Fame Committee for several years prior to his passing, and was instrumental in spearheading the Wall of Fame at the new CHS Arena. Spurgeon was class president all four years of high school and salutatorian of the Class of 1934. He earned four letters each in football, basketball and track. He was elected first team All-State in both football and basketball during his junior and senior years. Marlan Spurgeon, 81, is the nephew of Lowell Spurgeon. Marlan is a resident of the Fireside House in Centralia. While he had little interaction with his uncle since there was Photo Provided a significant age difference and Marlan spent much of his adult life in California, he said Lowell will best be remembered as being a good man. January 2014
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“Everybody loved Lowell,” Marlan said. “When he was captain of the University of Illinois football team in 1937, I was only 5-years-old. Unfortunately, I missed most of his career.” He added, “Not only was he a good athlete, but he was a heckuva man.” Marlan Spurgeon provided proof of how people loved his uncle, displaying a letter to the editor printed in the local newspaper. Robert E. Norris of Florissant, Mo., wrote: “I lucked out the other day. I visited Centralia on the right day. I found out that one of the classiest people I ever knew had passed away. I’m speaking of Lowell Spurgeon. If I hadn’t visited on the day I did, I would not be aware of his passing. “When I was going over Fool’s Hill as a teenager, a number of boys whose fathers were railroad men got us passes to ride to Champaign to see Illinois and Lowell Spurgeon play football. We would get up at 3 a.m. to go to Champaign, arrive at 6 a.m. to see the game at 1 p.m. Before our train left at 9 p.m., guess would come to the station to visit with us? Lowell Spurgeon … he was a class act and will be missed.” Russell Coleman, who served with Lowell on the Hall of Fame Committee, recently met Marlan Spurgeon. Coleman’s mother, Earline, was a resident at Fireside until her passing this past October. Spurgeon introduced himself to Coleman, which led to a conversation about the man they both knew — Lowell Spurgeon. “He was one of the nicest men I’ve ever met,” Coleman said of Lowell Spurgeon. “I loved the man, and he was one of top athletes in Centralia High School history. The few times I talked to him, I was impressed.” “He was just a first class guy,” January 2014
added CHS booster Butch Border. Border was able to confirm with his first meeting with Marlan Spurgeon a story that had circulated around town for years about Lowell Spurgeon. As the old-timers tell it, Spurgeon had intercepted a pass during a game at CHS and ran it back for a touchdown. Coach A.L. Trout was waiting for Spurgeon on the sideline and asked if he caught the ball before it hit the ground. Spurgeon said it did and Trout told the officials to take the score away. “Trout said, ‘If Lowell said it was short, then it was short,’” Marlan said. During a class reunion in 1996, the late James B. Wham, a local attorney, paid tribute to Spurgeon. “When anyone touches your life with words and action that inspire you to be better than you were before you met that person, then that person is a hero,” newspaper archives state. While at Illinois, Spurgeon starred in football and track. He once ran against world record-holder Jesse Owens. On the gridiron, the Illini fought Notre Dame to a scoreless tie in 1937 — which would cost the Irish a national championship. Also during his senior season, Spurgeon kicked the winning field goal — the only points in the game — in
a 3-0 victory over Michigan. “That was back in the day when they had the drop kick,” Border said. “That story I did learn was true from Spurgeon himself. He said it was raining, and it was muddy. He had to drop kick in the mud and made the 37-yard field goal to knock Michigan out of the Big Ten championship.” Spurgeon would became a coach and teacher before taking an administration position in the Rockford School District. He then became personnel director for a factory in Rockford. He eventually became president of the Rockford Sewing Machine Co. where he served for 11 years. In 1964, Spurgeon left Illinois for California where he spent much of his time in real estate investment before returning to Centralia in 1990. In 1996, CHS honored Spurgeon as its Player of the Decade for the 1930’s during a 90th anniversary celebration of basketball in Centralia. In 1997, he was the grand marshal for the city’s annual Halloween parade. And in 2003, the city paid tribute to Spurgeon by naming a portion of East Third Street that run directly in front of the old Centralia High School as Lowell Spurgeon Drive.
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Fairview Park
remains a key part of
Centralia Story by Travis Morse
Fairview Park has been an important part of the City of Centralia since it was first founded in 1926, said Allison Austin, director of community development and planning for the city. But with recent economic hardships, the park has assumed an even more central role in the community, Austin said. Nowadays, Centralia residents are staying closer to home for their recreational enjoyment. The park, Austin said, offers an inexpensive source of fun close to home. And to respond to this need, city officials have been adding more amenities to the park. “It’s an absolute priority to continue to develop it,” Austin said of the park. “We’re just responding to what the public wants.” Fairview Park is considered
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Photos provided by the City of Centralia and the “You Know You’re From Centralia, Illinois When...” group
the largest city park in Centralia and it includes 45 acres. The park features a swimming pool, baseball and softball fields, basketball
courts, a skate park, a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, playgrounds, historic aircraft, the Old 2500 train engine, restrooms, pavilions and veterans’ monuments, among others. Austin said there are two kinds of parks — passive parks and active recreational parks. Fairview Park, she said, belongs firmly in the second category. “When you (look at) what people want in a community, one of the primary concerns they have is the quality of recreation,” Austin said. But even with all the activities at the park, the site can still function as a quiet, relaxing place for people to eat lunch, exercise or just enjoy January 2014
up
the surroundings, said Centralia City Manager Dan Ramey. Planning for the park, he said, is overseen by the Centralia Recreational Department Board and the Parks Advisory Committee. “We’ve got a very active recreational board here,” Ramey said.
residents have a relative who once worked for the railroad, said Centralia Mayor Tom Ashby. Several aircraft are also on display at the park, including a Republic F-105 Thunderchief “Red River Queen,” a Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star and a Western Electric SAM A-7/M1 Nike Ajax. The aircraft are on loan from the Fairview Park has a long and rich history in Centralia. The park’s property was deeded to the city by the Fairview Park Real Estate Improvement Corporation in 1926. The park is the same size now as when it was first established, Austin said. “The size has not changed, but the amenities have changed,” Austin said. One of the first amenities added to the site was the municipal swimming pool, which was built in 1938. The original pool was replaced with a new pool in about 1980. Another notable feature of the park is the black 2500 steam engine, which has been on display since 1962. It is part of the Age of Steam Memorial. Last August, a special dedication ceremony was held at the park to welcome a new addition to the railroad display — a retired 1971 caboose. The refurbished caboose, a red Illinois Central 9415, was donated to Centralia by Canadian National Railways. The railroad remains a key part of Centralia’s heritage and most city January 2014
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National Museum of the Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. In addition, there are three veterans’ memorials at the park, covering World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War. The World War II Memorial was moved from Library Park to Fairview Park in 2008. Tennis courts were added to Fairview Park in the late 1960s and early ‘70s. Also, recent history has seen the addition of a skate park at the site, along with a ball field and new dugouts. And city officials say more additions are on the way for the park to make it even more appealing to local residents. “We’re trying to expand the things you can do in Centralia,” Ashby said. One new pavilion has been built at the park and a second one will be constructed this year, Ashby said. The second pavilion will be decorated with historic railroad memorabilia and is designed for family reunions, class reunions and other local gatherings, Ashby said. The city was presented with a $39,500 check from Canadian National Railways in August to help fund the pavilion’s construction. The rest of the project will be paid for by the city. Centralia officials have also improved the basketball courts at the park by adding lights there so teams can play at night. Furthermore, a new sand volleyball court was installed and a bocce ball court will be added soon. “We’re trying to bring a more visible return to our taxpayers,” Ashby said. January 2014
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Undefeated 12-0
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January 2014
Congratulations
Varsity Cheerleaders! 1st Place Co-Ed Division at Mt. Vernon Invitational 1st Place Co-Ed Division at Pinckneyville Invitational 2014 I.C.C.A. State Championship Qualifier Varsity Coach: Jennifer Jolliff JV Coach: Aleta Conroy Assistant Coach: Nick Border
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W
5
NDER FIVE
Best ever t not win title
Story by Rick Hayes
For a team that won 44 games, very little information about the so-called “Wonder Five” that played during the 1940-41 season at Centralia High School is available. What we do know about the team is that is probably the best team in state tournament play that never won the championship. The Orphans of 1941 finished the season 44-2 — losing to Taylorville early in the season and then being upset in the state semifinals by Morton of Cicero 30-29. The “Wonder Five” consisted of Harold Wesner, Bill Castleman, Dwight “Dike” Eddleman, Jack Klosterman and Bob Michael. No one seems to know the origin of the “Wonder Five.” Under the legendary Coach A.L. Trout, the “Wonder Five” rolled up some impressive wins, including avenging that loss to Taylorville later in the season. Although Trout discounted stories of losing games to keep his players humble, strong evidence suggests that winning did not necessarily lead his priority list — particularly early in the season. Starters in early games rarely ended up as the starting five at tournament time. In the book, “Trout,” written by CHS graduate Don Schnake (1946) and published by Richview Press in 2002, Trout’s handling of a Wonder Five game demonstrated this fact. “Sensing that the chemistry created by the strong and varied personalities of the individual players fell short of the ideal mix, Mr. Trout devised a plan that would dramatically illustrate the need for teamwork and togetherness,” the author states. “Against an outstanding 14
Taylorville team, he elected to use Dike Eddleman and four substitutes play the first and third quarters. Regulars Castleman, Klosterman, Michael and Wesner, plus a reserve player, played the second and fourth quarters. Although Centralia lost the game by 12, they got the message and rebounded to win 42 straight.” The book also states Trout’s philosophy of putting the team’s health and welfare at the top of the priority list underwent several tests. “Late in the 1941 season, the Wonder Five, rolling along and shooting for the all-time school record for consecutive victories, arrived for the annual game at Harrisburg. Their gymnasium — old, small and unsafe — featured brick walls standing less than a foot from the boundary lines. Layups often ended in collisions with an unyielding stage located next to the end line. Fans jammed every inch of spectator space. Many had driving up from Kentucky or over from Indiana to witness this torrid team with all the publicity,” the text states. As the preliminary game moved into the fourth quarter, varsity boys moved down to the dressing room. One of the players asked for his uniform, and an equipment manager
replied, “Oh, Mr. Trout told us not to pack any uniforms for the first five. A Mt. Vernon player got hurt here last week, so you guys are supposed to find a seat in the stands.” Centralia’s second teasers eventually won the game 30-27. One columnist described the ‘40-’41 team as one with “good height, speed, good shooters, and one that played superb defense.” Rolla Malan, a column contributor, also said the team “became the greatest cage team that ever put foot on the floor of Trout Gym.” In the column that ran in the local newspaper
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in 2001, Malan continued, “That was the case 60 years ago, and in my mind it’s still the case. Fans converged on Trout Gym from all quarters of the state. The gym was filled to capacity for virtually every game.” In that same column, Malan pointed out the team averaged 50.8 points per game while allowing opponents 24 points per game during regularseason play. During the Pontiac Holiday Tournament, the team piled up margins of victory by 41, 15, 16 and 29 points, respectively. “Regional games were very routine, but in sectional play it mauled Pinckneyville by a 55-16 margin, West Frankfort 49-16 and arch rival Mt. Vernon 48-28,” Malan wrote. CHS defeated Paris and Carbondale in the quarterfinals, lost to Morton at state but won third place with a 67-37 whipping of Canton. “Much has been written about the fact that their bench team would have been starters at any other school in the state. These bench players consisted of … Farrel Robinson and defensive specialist Fred Pearson. The other members of this group consisted of Ray Owensby, Joe Weber and Bill Davies,” Malan stated. At the team’s annual banquet, Trout acknowledged there may have been too much hype prior to the state tournament. “I felt this coming on. I told the boys what was likely going to happen before we ever went to Champaign. I expected it to happen before it did. But this was an unusual group of boys — they didn’t crack throughout their long schedule. Please fans, if we have another good team, don’t plan a celebration
January 2014
before we go to Champaign,” Schnake quotes in his book. The “Wonder Five” lives on
in Centralia sports history. Forty-four wins in one season is unlikely to ever be repeated.
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Head Start
transforms
children’s lives
Story by Nancy Picard
In 1964, President Lyndon Bird Johnson declared war. This was not the type of war that was fought with swords and spears on the battlefield. It was a war that was to be fought in our own communities and in our own homes. It was the war on poverty. The appalling statistics showed that half of America’s poor were children. Under the leadership of Sargent Robert Shriver (1915-2011), and the Economic Poverty Act, the battle formation proceeded to take shape. It began with the knowledge that
the intrinsic worth of our children was far more valuable than any other investment we could make. The challenge was reaching out and touching the lives of those children. Dreams transform into powerful weapons. The dream of giving every child a head start soon became reality with the creation of a ground breaking pre-school program. The concept of focusing on the whole child through education, health, nutrition, social services and the significant role the family dynamics
play in a child’s life became tangible on May 8, 1965. Head Start became an eight week summer project that was so successful that it immediately became a year round program. The program began transforming the lives of children and parents, and the progress was made manifest in our neighborhoods. Families began to succeed regardless of their circumstances. Head Start had given once silenced communities a voice, a platform. They had tapped into a buried treasure. Though the poor had little money, they had many things that were much more valuable. It was a struggle figuring out how to give these children the same opportunities as other children whose families had plenty of money to buy their success. Head Start found that by providing these families with fulfilling and enriching experiences, they were given empowerment. Empowerment moved things forward and turned out to be a much stronger motivator toward success. It became apparent that by investing in Early Childhood, chances of success go way up. As the war on America’s impoverished children was being fought and won, opportunities arose to make improvement in the quality of Head Start services. By the mid nineteen seventies, over 5.3 million children had been served. In 1975, performance standards guidelines January 2014
were developed in order to ensure program quality improvement. Expectations progressed to a higher level of understanding of the impact Head Start was having on providing a stable environment for the children. By 1984, one billions dollars was funded for Head Start’s budget. By providing optimum resources for the vulnerable young children in our society, a pattern began to take shape. After servicing around 9.1 million children in every corner of our nation, it became apparent that these children were more likely to graduate, find jobs, and become productive members of society. As stated by our current president, Barack Obama, “Every dollar we invest in Early Childhood is seven dollars we could be saving later on.” The Head Start Quality Improvement act expanded and passed in 1998. The program began to include full year/full day services for families who had to work and go to school. It also set new standards for teachers. They were required to further their education in order to have a deeper understanding and knowledge of how to best understand and meet the needs
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of the complex system we call family. This education helps teachers to work with parents in setting goals for their children and family. The program then helps the families work toward these goals by providing resources and practical needed assistance. The teachers also help the parent to understand the developmental stages their child will go through and how to best nurture them to the next level. It provides the family with a sense of community. One parent made this comment, “Without Head Start, I would be doing this on my own.” To
many, this is a frightening concept. Head Start encourages parent and grandparent participation throughout the day in their program. They encourage them to read a story to the children. Bring something from home to share with the class about their family and culture. They are welcome to come eat with their child, sing with their child, and play with their child. The parents are reminded that they are their child’s first teacher and every moment they spend with them is precious to that child. Volunteering has
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become one of the hallmarks of Head Start. Our local Head Start is located at 909 East Rexford. It has provided services for forty years. Their vision statement is as follows, “We shall be a unique, vibrant program, which is respected in the community and recognized for excellence. We shall be innovative and diversified in our services as we empower children and families. Qualified and dedicated staff practice integrity and honesty, nurture children and families and achieve results in a rapidly changing world.” They are very active in recruiting children for their program. They serve five surrounding counties and provide full year/full day services in some classrooms. Their goal is to collaborate with school districts and early intervention programs to provide a smooth transition for children and families in the Head Start Program and the public school system. To reach the local office call, 532-4890 ext. 144. “B.C.M.W. Head Start’s mission is to engage and prepare low income children and families for success in school and throughout life by providing opportunities, experiences, resources and advocacy. We respect all individuals and believe they deserve a chance to reach their full potential.” The real heroes in this war on poverty are the teachers of Head Start. Like soldiers willing to fight on the frontlines, the teachers provide the hands-on experiences that nurture the child’s soul and self- worth, which is the basis for learning. They wipe the tears, and other things that need wiped. They kiss the boo- boo’s and provide Band-Aids to stop the blood flow. They greet the child every morning with a kind word and a soft touch that says, “I am here for you, I will help you today.”
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January 2014
The rewards are not in the huge monetary payments, or even recognition for giving your physical strength, heart and soul to one of the most challenging jobs out there. Those rewards don’t exist. The rewards are in the blue button eyes that sparkle with glitter. Or in the chocolate eyes that remind you of melted Hershey’s Kisses that light up when you walk into the room. Or the long sweeping lashes that flutter like tiny angel wings when they are fighting back tears because someone has hurt them. It’s that tender touch that lands on your heart as soft as a butterfly when tiny arms encircle your neck and say “I love you. You are my teacher.”
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Story by Nancy Picard
Use your imagination and think of the words, Abraham Lincoln, the Osage Indians, the Civil War and trains. What comes to mind? Your own hometown Centralia holds a treasured landmark that had all of those things in common. The Centralia House. It is an establishment that you can visit even today. The original Centralia House was originally constructed in 1854. It catered to the needs of the Illinois Central Railroad before the invention of the dining car. It was most famous for its restaurant and the delicious food that it served. The tradition was that each train was greeted by a waiter in a fine uniform. They carried
a large brass gong and announced the meals they would be serving that day. Fayette Rexford managed the Centralia House, also called the Rexford House, from 1877-1899. His son Norman took over in 1899 and managed the business until 1910. It was during this time that the Centralia House reached its peak. You can visualize the hustle and bustle when trains arrived every thirty minutes or so. The Centralia House also housed a hotel, an Illinois Central waiting room and an office that handled every situation that the arriving passengers encountered. This was all done with amazing accuracy and without delay. It is said the Mr. Rexford thrived in the
chaos; it was when he was the happiest. The Centralia House gained a national reputation for its outstanding service and fine dining. It was a favorite spot for many who traveled from Chicago to New Orleans. It became a regular stop for all of the elite who traveled with the railroad. Some of the famous people who have left footprints in our city are, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, Theodore Roosevelt, U. S. Grant, Jefferson Davis and Buffalo Bill. These are just a few of the names of the people who rest in history books that had visited The Centralia House. It had become the social center along the Illinois Central Railroad.
reached peak in
During the Civil War the Centralia House was a whirlwind of activity both day and night. The troops would come and go with their stories of war and bloodshed. Many used The Centralia House for their political agendas. Generals of the war met and mapped out plans and formed companies out of the many soldiers that had enlisted. You can only imagine the emotions that were felt by all in the days when the Civil War was a part of everyday life. When the soldiers parted ways it was with the knowledge that this could quite possibly be the very last time they ever saw each other. The jubilant homecomings were celebrated with whiskey and revelries, all a big part of the late nights at The Centralia House. In 1866 a fatal epidemic put a damper on the livelihood of this bustling and ever growing city. Cholera came like a thief in the night and stole the lives of many. It spread like a fatal mist and entered the homes of unsuspecting humans who were helpless against its onslaught. Children died in their mother’s arms. The tears were unable to wash away the unclean stench. No doubt many hearts were January 2014
Centralia
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broken as beloved family members were buried way too soon. And then the unthinkable rumor began, that the epidemic had its roots planted in the Centralia House. The following year, the whole facility was renovated in order to bring back the people. Another tragedy befell the Centralia House on the night of February 5, 1918. The city was still sleeping
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and the skies were still dark when orange flames began to fill the sky. An ancient enemy had come to call. Fire had taken away the center of the city. With every dancing flame the Centralia House no doubt groaned and cried out with eerie sounds as the three story building fell to its knees. The people awoke in shock. The Centralia House had been laid at the
foundation of the city. Now it lay in ashes at their feet. It had been one of the cities greatest accomplishments, their pride and joy. The fire had taken away what was made of wood, but the human spirit could not be destroyed. But is that the end of the story? No. In 1969, a building that was a century old was purchased for a noble purpose. It had been an establishment named the Doe Saloon. Now it has been rumored that the old Doe Saloon had a reputation for serving more than just food and drink. But when we study history, it is important to stick with the facts. This building, located at 111North Oak Street, has become the new Centralia House. It still has the pre-1900 bar and back bar which was part of the sporting house. It is a magnificent building to walk into. It is like taking a step back in time. Everything is still the same as it was a century ago. In the stone
January 2014
cellar below the bar is the exact same warehouse where the liquor was stored. But it’s more than that. The furnishings are replicas of the past Centralia House. The burgundy velvet draperies with ruffled white valances underneath and stained glass window are breathtaking. The bar with its very old but elegant cash register stirs your soul and you can almost hear the cha-ching of the old days when cash registers were opened with a handle. The chandeliers hang with the beauty of glass dancers and light up the massive wooden bar. Pillars and arched glass add to the already impressive statues that grace the bar. You cannot help but stare up into the multi-paneled black ceiling. It is an intricate design of squares, circles and other dimensional shapes. Some of the paintings were fine masterpieces but somewhat naughty. The crisp white tablecloths and pristine table settings remind you of the fine service and attention to detail that were part of the original Centralia House. In 2002, while excavating the original Centralia House site, many artifacts were found from the original restaurant and hotel. Plates and cups along with various other dishes and silverware were found. It was a priceless find that meant so much to the community. It brought back memories that so many had forgotten. It was a part of history that many of us reading this magazine knew nothing about. It gave me a sense of pride knowing that where I work and where my loved ones live, there once was a place where brave men gathered and inspired others to follow. The original Centralia House was located about a half a block just south of Broadway on the I. C. tracks. The next time you drive or walk or ride your bike over these tracks, take a moment and remember. Picture how things must have looked in the mid to late 1800’s. See the old Centralia House standing tall and proud. Hear the sounds as the train entered the station and the passengers raced to see the famous hotel that they had heard about from hundreds of miles away. I hope it stirs within you a feeling of belonging to a community that had big dreams and survived hurtful tragedies. I hope it stirs within you a feeling of home. January 2014
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January 2014