History Buffs Day Out
Satisfy your hunger for history and See Centralia!
Our one hundred and sixty seven year old micropolitan city has enough folklore, war stories and historical visitors, to excite History Buffs of all ages. Step into a brief look at our railroad history and enjoy a Cup O’ Joe at our local eclectic coffee shop, RAIL Coffee Room. Visit our Bicentennial Park as you take a stroll downtown to enjoy the timeless architecture of our historic buildings.
Still hungry? Grab a bite at one of our seven downtown eateries on your way to our Centralia Historical Museum. Experience three floors of local artifacts that will satisfy your hunger for history, just long enough for you to make it to our local historic Centralia House restaurant. Open the doors & your taste buds to a piece of history that even Abraham Lincoln himself could not pass up.
Wanna make it a History Buffs Weekend Out?
Add these local historical spots to your travel itinerary and book our local Centralia Trolly to travel our city just like the they did in the days of olde.
Centralia Library (Erected 1902) | Sample a few of our local authors take on Centralia’s rich history at one of the 106 original Carnegie libraries.
Elmwood Cemetery | Take a self guided tour of our historical monuments such as: Violin Annie | Pittenger War Memorial | Potters Field | GAR Chapel | Veterans Section (housing one confederate Veteran) | Khols Monument. And If you visit in warmer weather, make sure to check out the Butterfly Garden (located at one of the three Potters Field locations within the cemetery).
Kaskaskia College Veterans Tribute
Railroad Village | Located in Fairview Park, a honorary display of planes and trains sharing a glimpse of our local history.
Call to schedule a tour of the 2500 engine and 9415 caboose (618) 533-7622.
Centralia Memorials & Monuments | Located in our Fairview Park: Vietnam Memorial | WWI Memorial | WWII Memorial | Korean War Memorial
Wamac’s Centralia #5 Mine Memorial | Stand in the very spot where time stood still on the fateful day that Centralia lost 111 lives to the Coal Mine Disaster of 1947.
More fun ideas for your trip
