Centralia,
Missouri, is located in the heart of the continental United States, midway
between St Louis and Kansas City and just 20 miles north of I-70 and Columbia,
the county seat.
It is one of those typically American towns with an unsurpassed quality of life provided by a thriving economy, expert management and government, ample communications media, diversified retail and service businesses, multiple recreational opportunities, and all the other important amenities and necessities. The streets are well maintained and lighted, providing a serene and pleasant atmosphere that encourages evening walks and bicycle rides. Neighborhoods offer a wide variety of housing styles, all within walking distance of shops, restaurants, schools and recreation.
The local school system enjoys schools accredited with distinction and performance. Additional classes for children and adults are provided by Columbia Area Vo-Tech School and Advanced Technology Center in nearby Mexico. Colleges within commuting distance are the renowned University of Missouri-Columbia, Central Christian College, Moberly Junior College, Stephens College, Columbia College and two private liberal arts colleges. Important adjuncts are the Centralia Public Library, Daniel Boone Regional Library and Ellis Library on the University of Missouri campus.
The medical needs of Centralia's residents are well met by local, area and regional medical centers, clinics, pharmacies, nursing facilities and individual practitioners. Centralia and Boone County have adequate police and fire protection and a sheriff's department of 75 people. The city is served by daily and weekly newspapers, over a dozen radio stations, network and cable television, and a first-class post office. Nearly 20 churches represent many denominations. The city provides a well-rounded recreational agenda for both youth and adults, with country club, lovely parks, swimming pool, tennis courts, Senior Citizens Center and more.
One of the city's highlights is the legacy of A.B. Chance, the industrialist who in 1907 founded the internationally known company that bears his name. Chance Gardens is a floral wonderland, a colorful half acre of beauty that attracts thousands of visitors annually to view its flowers, trees, waterfall and rock formations. Adjacent to the gardens is the former home of Mr. Chance, which now serves as the Centralia Historical Society Museum. Built in 1904, the mansion contains many permanent and special exhibits of the community's early history. Educational programs and special tours are offered, and the house also is used as a meeting place for many of the more than 40 local clubs and organizations. Adjacent to the Museum is a new rose garden with its lovely spring smells and sights.
Another tradition that stems from the A.B. Chance Company is the annual Centralia Anchor Festival on the weekend following Memorial Day. The event is named for the earth anchor, a Chance tool widely used in construction work throughout the world. The exciting weekend is filled with family-styled entertainment, arts and crafts, contests, demonstrations and a street carnival. It attracts thousands of people to the downtown City Square Park area.
Accessibility is one of the greatest assets of this thriving small city of about 3,774 people at the junction of State Highways 22 & 124. Within or partly within a 500 mile radius are 20 states with 45% of the nation's population. Also within this circle are 42% to 49% of the United States' effective buying power, retail sales, wholesale trade, manufacturing establishments, general merchandise stores, apparel and accessories stores, food manufacturers and transportation equipment. Founded in 1857 as a station on the North Missouri Railroad, Centralia is now served by the Norfolk & Southern, Gateway and Western, and Columbia Terminal Railroads. Boone County is served by 20 motor freight companies, with 11 terminals in Columbia. United Parcel Service has a regional facility in nearby Columbia as do several bus lines and seven air freight carriers.
Perhaps needless to say, Centralia is a prime location for industry. The community thrived as a trade center for farmers in the late 19th century, and agribusiness is still a major economic factor. Another is manufacturing. Both the city and the county provide industries with rail access and either state highway or interstate highway access. Employees are drawn from a nine-county area with a 175,415 civilian labor force and 26,500 college students. State and local training assistance is available to employers. Current major employers in Centralia and Boone County include Boone Hospital Center with 1,450 employees, A.B. Chance Company (electrical components) with nearly 1,150 employees, ABC Labs (medical & pharmaceutical), Columbia Foods (Oscar Mayer products), Diversified Plastics, Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line (natural gas), Shelter Insurance, Square D (circuit breakers), State Farm Insurance, Sunnydale Industries (oxygen tents & packaging), 3M Company (visual/electronic equipment), and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Centralia is an excellent starting place for interesting daytrips and weekend jaunts. It is 45 minutes to Mark Twain Lake or Thomas Hill Lake, 60 minutes to Long Branch Lake, 120 minutes to Lake of the Ozarks. The recently constructed and already famous Katy Trail is a scant 30 miles or so away. Interesting sights in the vicinity are Mark Twain's birthplace in Florida, Missouri, and his boyhood home in Hannibal; Westminister College and the Winston Churchill Memorial in Fulton; the Union Covered Bridge up near Paris; Arrow Rock and Boone's Lick Historical Sites; beautiful state parks and much more. Centralia is 20 minutes to Columbia, 45 minutes to the State Capital at Jefferson City, and about 2 and 1/2 hours drive to either St Louis or Kansas City for significant cultural events and major league sports programs.