Centerville, Alpine County, California

Centerville is a former settlement in Alpine County, California, United States.

Centerville
Former settlement
Centerville
Location in California
Centerville
Centerville (the United States)
Coordinates: 38°37′52″N 119°43′24″W
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyAlpine County
Elevation5,951 ft (1,814 m)

History

Located along a stage coach route between Silver King Valley and the East Fork of the Carson River, Centerville was a commercial hub during the 1850s and 1860s.[2][3][4][5] Described as a "small village" with stores, a tavern, and a hotel called the Centerville House, Centerville supplied local mines with lumber for flumes, bridges, tunnels, fencing, buildings and heating.[2][5][6] Richardson's sawmill was located at Centerville during the 1860s.[2][3]

In 1864, in an election to determine the Alpine County seat, Markleeville received the most votes, beating out Centerville and two other competing towns.[7] Fire destroyed the home of the town's butcher—located at the corner of Montgomery and Jackson streets—in 1872, and "the rest of the town soon faded away".[2] Little remains of the original settlement.[4] A plaque documenting the history of Centerville was installed in 2013 by E Clampus Vitus, a fraternal organization.[2] The site is now occupied by the Centerville Flat campground.[8]

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Centerville, Alpine County, California
  2. "Centerville Plaque". Craig Ruth. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  3. "Centerville Flat". Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway Association. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  4. Toiyabe National Forest, Alpine Unit Land Management Plan. United States Forest Service. 1977. pp. 24, 50.
  5. "Ebbetts Pass Wayshowing & Interpretive Plan" (PDF). United States Forest Service. December 2014.
  6. California Inventory of Historic Resources. California Office of Historic Preservation. 1976. p. 75.
  7. Raymond F. Law (March 19, 1931). "Alpine County Retains Air of Pioneer Times". Oakland Tribune.
  8. "Centerville Flat Campground". United States Forest Service. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
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