Places to See

Dog Park

Oh, what fun your dog will have playing in our Centralia Dog Park! Opened in late 2018, this space was designed with both pets and owners in mind, providing a safe, off-leash environment where dogs can run, play, and socialize under the supervision of their humans. Whether you have a small pup or a large breed, the park offers two separate play areas so every dog can enjoy themselves comfortably.

The park is fully equipped to make your visit enjoyable and convenient. You’ll find a secure double-gated entry for peace of mind, clean drinking water stations, tunnels, ramps, and jumps to keep energetic dogs entertained, plus open grassy spaces perfect for a game of fetch. Pet owners can relax on the sheltered benches and make use of the covered trash cans and waste stations, ensuring the park stays clean for everyone.

 

 

Located at the old Ever’s Field at 650 South Perrine Street, the dog park is easy to access with nearby parking available. For everyone’s safety, dogs are required to have current tags before visiting. Visit the City Website for more details.

 

 

 

 

Recreation Complex

The Centralia Recreation Complex is a 60,000 square foot multi-sport facility located in historic downtown Centralia, Illinois. Built near the site of the former railroad depot, the Complex sports the look of an “old fashioned” train station from the front while housing some of the most modern equipment and facilities in the fitness industry today.

Features of the Centralia Recreation Complex include an elevated walking and jogging track, an oversized gymnasium with two full courts and six adjustable goals, a fitness room with weight stations, treadmills, stair stepper, exercise bikes, and an elliptical machine. There is a 6 lane, 25 yard competition pool, a 130-foot waterslide, a 2,000 square foot heated family leisure pool, a raindrop fountain, a heated whirlpool spa an observation deck and poolside spectator seating. The Recreation Complex also has Locker Rooms, shower facilities, family change room, a full service conference center, and a youth activities room with video games, big screen TV and more.

 

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Golf Courses

Centralia Disc Golf Club

A 36-hole disc golf course located throughout Centralia Foundation Park, a 260-acre nature park located just blocks from downtown Centralia. This disc golf course is one of the top rated courses in the nation! It features two different courses, the Recreational Course (for beginners) and the Champion Course (for more advanced golfers).

Centralia Foundation Park
Phone: (618) 780-2380

 

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Greenview Golf Club

This beautiful championship golf course features stunning water and nature views.
Greenview is the home of multiple division one and professional players. One name still after all theses years stands clear above the rest, Tom Wargo. Mr. Wargo honed his game on this very track, and took all the knowledge he gained here with him on his way to winning multiple champions tour and Senior Major events.
Greenview Golf Course is open from 8am – 7pm during the summer!
Tee Shots restaurant is located in the club house! They offer dining room seating, indoor bar seating, outdoor bar seating, private party room, and outdoor patio seating. Their hours are: Wednesday-Saturday 11am-9pm. Sunday 11am-7pm.

U.S. 51, (South of Centralia)
2801 Putter Ln.,
Centralia, IL
Phone: (618) 532-7395

 

 

 

Colonial Golf Course

This scenic 18-hole public golf course has been a community favorite since 1964. The course offers just the right balance of challenge and playability for all skill levels.

Call to get your tee time today!

Phone: (618) 247 -3307

3449 US-51 Sandoval, IL 62882

C-Town Putt-Around Mini Golf

C-Town Twist Ice Cream Stand in Centralia, Illinois is also home to a 18-hole mini golf course! This course is ADA compliant and offers a fun but challenging mini golf course for all ages. Golf ball and putter is provided for golfers.

122 E Calumet St, Centralia, IL 62801

 

Memorials

A number of Memorials are located throughout Centralia honoring U.S. Servicemen and fallen Coal Miners.

 

Vietnam Memorial

Quad County Vietnam Memorial Commission was behind its creation and dedication on November 8th, 1992. This memorial features veteran names from Clinton, Washington, Jefferson and Marion County.

WWI Memorial

Fairview Park
Centralia, Illinois 62801

Dedicated in 1920 by the Clinton Co. Chapter of War Mothers.

WWII Memorial

Fairview Park
Centralia, Illinois 62801

Now resides in Fairview Park after being moved from its original location in Library Park. Erected by the American War Mothers Centralia Chapter No. 12, in gratitude for Honorable Service.

Korean War Memorial

Fairview Park
Centralia, Illinois 62801

The City of Centralia’s Veterans Affairs Committee dedicated this memorial on July 4, 2019, to honor those who served in the Korean Conflict. Two local Korean War Veterans stood before the monument as it was unveiled; the 4th of July Veteran’s Day Parade Grand Marshall, Gerald Chappel, and Sergeant First Class Don Baldridge.

Wamac’s Centralia #5 Mine Memorial

113 S Wabash
Centralia, IL 62801

Dedicated on March 25, 2009, a tribute to those who lost their lives on March 25, 1947, when Centralia #5 Coal Mine exploded killing 111 miners.

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Veterans Tribute at Kaskaskia College

27210 College Road
Centralia, IL 62801
A monument that honors the men and women who have served, currently are serving, and those who will serve our Country in the future.

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Pittenger War Memorial

 

710 Gragg Street
Centralia, IL 62801

Located in Elmwood Cemetery, The Pittenger Memorial was dedicated in memory of Col. G. L. Pittenger and erected by his son G. W. Pittenger in 1942 and the inscription says presented to The American Legion Post No. 446 In Memory of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Departed.

Four memorial benches, added in 2009, circle the Pittenger Memorial to pay respect to a number of conflicts and wars including Civil War, World War I, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Revolutionary War, Spanish-American War, World War II, Korean War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Afghanistan War.

Illinois Theatre

The Illinois Theatre, located on South Locust in downtown Centralia, Illinois, is currently under renovation and will have approximately 500 seats available for professional entertainment performances. This former vaudeville & movie theatre will have all new seating, air conditioning, handicapped restrooms, lighting & sound system.

Centralia Area Historical Museum

At the Centralia Area Historical Museum you can experience the area’s rich railroad history through vintage pictures, tools, clothing and even a tour of a real caboose. Civil War items, military uniforms, equipment, ration books, flags, awards and other artifacts mark special times in the history of this country and the Centralia area.

Centralia is rich in mining history, and detonators, lunch buckles, rescue equipment, and newspaper reports of the #5 Mine Disaster can be viewed at the Museum. The experiences you can have here are too numerous to list, but we know you won’t want to miss the history of this unique area.

 

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(618) 545-0657
240 South Locust Street
Centralia, IL 62801

 

Fairview Park

A must-see attraction in Centralia is Railroad Village which features a historic 2500 Engine and 9415 Caboose on display in Fairview Park. Tours of these authentic rail cars once used by the Illinois Central Railroad, can be arranged upon request.

 

Fairview Park hosts a static display of military aircrafts, each with their own purpose. The airplanes are a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star and a Republic F-105 Thunderchief.

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was flown by Vietnam Veteran Lt. Col. William “Bill” Pachura. Pachura flew many different planes in his 26 year career in the Air Force, from 1953 to 1979. He clocked over 1000 hours in the F-105, with over 100 missions in Southeast Asia as a member of the 355th TFW (357 TFS) based at Takhli Royal Thai Air Base. During his career he earned 15 Air Medals, 1 Commendation Medal, and 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses. The specific plane at Fairview Park is the exact plane Pachura was assigned to at Takhli.

The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an Air Age Memorial dedicated to the fighting men and women of all wars. It was placed on April 30, 1967 as a project of Centralia Post 2055 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Other Amenities include:

 

  • Baseball & softball fields
  • 11 sheltered picnic areas
  • Playground
  • Tennis courts
  • Skate park
  • Horse shoe pits
  • Sand volleyball courts

 

Visit Railroad Village to see the historic 2500 Engine and 9415 Caboose. Tours by request.

 

Flown during the Vietnam War, the Republic F-105 Thunderchief is on display.

Fairview Park offers many unique features for youth – including a skate park.

 

1035 W McCord St.
Centralia, IL 62801

 

Centralia Cultural Society

A visit to Centralia can be enriched by the Centralia Cultural Society. You may catch a performance by the Centralia Philharmonic Orchestra, the Choral Society, the Little Theater Players, Bronze Expression Handbells or maybe an exhibit by the Palette and Brush Club or Light and Lens Club. The Cultural Society facility has an auditorium that seats 250.

 

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(618) 532-2951
(618) 533-ARTS

1250 E. Rexford
Centralia, IL. 62801

 

Centralia Carillon & Musical Fountain

Come see and hear the distinctive sites and sounds of the Centralia Carillon towering 165 feet high above the city. The Centralia Carillon, the sixth largest bell tower in the world, is played by a professional carillonneur who climbs 173 steps to play the bells in concert. The base of the tower contains a small museum, and tours of the Carillon are available free to the public by making a reservation.

The beauty of the Centralia Carillon is enhanced by the surrounding tower park just west of the carillon tower. The “sitting wall” is a perfect spot to listen to the music. Soft amber lighting at night makes the park an attractive place to take an evening stroll. Visitors may also experience the one and only musical fountain which moves to the unique expressions of the Carillon. For private tours or concert information please give us a call.

(618) 533-4381
114 North Elm St
Centralia, Illinois 62801

 

Centralia Boys Basketball-Winningest Team in the Nation

(618) 532-7391
2100 East Calumet
Centralia, Illinois 62801
http://www.centraliahs.org/
Winningest Team in the Nation

The Centralia High School boys’ basketball program is one of the most storied in the state, having reached the IHSA State Finals 24 times (the first coming in 1909), which has resulted in three state championships. That type of long-term success led the school to become the winningest high school program in the country, as it notched the program’s 2,000 wins during the 2007-08 season.

The Orphans eventually relinquished that mantle to Dobyns Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee, but regained it on March 1, 2016, with a 67-35 win over Salem in the IHSA Regional Semifinal round.

Centralia’s 2,198 wins are two better than Dobyns Bennett’s (2,196), whose season is over with a 5-21 record this year (2016).

Article Credit: http://www.ihsa.org/IHSAState/IHSAStateArticles/tabid/768/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/905/Centralia-Boys-Basketball-Once-Again-the-Nations-Winningest-Program.aspx
Orphans Basketball
The father of the “Orphans”

The Orphans, formed in 1906, first entered the national spotlight in the 1940s, under head coach Arthur L. Trout. Trout truly “made” the Orphans, leading them to more than 800 victories over a 36-year career and christening the team with its truly unusual name.

Centralia is the only town in the United States-it’s probably even safe to say “in North America”-with a team named “Orphans.” But the team didn’t start that way. Early in Trout’s tenure, the red-and-white suited players were known variously as Cardinals, Redbirds, and even Troutmen. But the Coach apparently wanted something more distinctive.

According to some, Trout named the team after his favorite movie, the 1922 silent classic Orphans of the Storm. But the true origins of the name have become the stuff of local legend. In his book Trout: The Old Man and the Orphans, author Don Schnake suggest that some people thought the boys on the team looked “as sad as a band of unwanted orphans.” It’s also known that the frugal Trout had his players pick their uniforms from a stack of leftovers from past years. “When two players arrived on the floor at the same time in matching uniforms, it was by accident, not design,” Schnake writes. Again, fans were reminded of poor, neglected orphans.

Whatever the origin, the moniker stuck. And although some opponents may snicker when they hear Centralia’s cheerleaders shout, “O-R-P-H-A-N-S! Orphans are the very best,” the players take pride in having a name unique in all of basketball.

Article Credit: http://americanprofile.com/articles/high-school-winningest-basektball-team/