Centralia is an
unincorporated community
An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...
in
Trinity County,
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
, United States.
In 2000, the estimated population was 53 residents. It is located within the
Huntsville, Texas micropolitan area.
Historical development
The town was originally settled around the time of the
Civil War
A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country).
The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...
, with the town square being established the following decade. As the town was located between
Nogalus Prairie and
Apple Springs, it was given the name ''Centralia''. In 1874, the post office was opened and over the next 11 years, the town would grow to have a population of 150 residents, along with the addition of two general stores, several steam
sawmill
A sawmill (saw mill, saw-mill) or lumber mill is a facility where logs are cut into lumber. Modern sawmills use a motorized saw to cut logs lengthwise to make long pieces, and crosswise to length depending on standard or custom sizes (dimensi ...
s and
gristmill
A gristmill (also: grist mill, corn mill, flour mill, feed mill or feedmill) grinds cereal grain into flour and Wheat middlings, middlings. The term can refer to either the Mill (grinding), grinding mechanism or the building that holds it. Grist i ...
s, two
blacksmith
A blacksmith is a metalsmith who creates objects primarily from wrought iron or steel, but sometimes from #Other metals, other metals, by forging the metal, using tools to hammer, bend, and cut (cf. tinsmith). Blacksmiths produce objects such ...
s, and a
saloon. As late as 1914, the population would be at its peak at 300. After
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
, businesses would begin to close with the town’s population dwindling over the next several decades. In the mid-1930s, the community had a store, a
chair
A chair is a type of seat, typically designed for one person and consisting of one or more legs, a flat or slightly angled seat and a back-rest. They may be made of wood, metal, or synthetic materials, and may be padded or upholstered in vario ...
factory, and 75 residents. The population was 26 in 1990 and 53 in 2000.
On April 25, 2011, an EF1 tornado struck Centralia. Many trees were downed near
Davy Crockett National Forest.
Geography
Centralia is located on
Farm to Market Road 357, northeast of
Groveton in northeastern Trinity County.
Education
Centralia had its own school in 1885.
Today, the community is served by the
Apple Springs Independent School District.
Notable person
David Henry Hamilton, Texas statesman, resided here.
[Legislative Reference Library of Texas]
/ref>
References
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Unincorporated communities in Trinity County, Texas
Unincorporated communities in Texas