Centerville
Around Centerville
Photo: Aldimafra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Iowa · 34k people
Centerville
Locals say Southern Iowa
Where the fields roll and the welcome is warm
Harvest GoldFarmland Green
Welcome to Southern Iowa, where the pace is easy and the people are friendly. Come for the fishing and stay for the pie at a small-town cafe. Whether you're here for the county fair or just passing through, you'll find a community that looks out for each other.
Clubs for Centerville
No clubs for Centerville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Centerville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Centerville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Rathbun Lake Large reservoir on the Chariton River, popular for fishing, boating, and camping.
- Honey Creek State Park State park near Moravia with trails, camping, and lake access.
- Lucas County Courthouse 1893 courthouse in Chariton with a distinctive clock tower.
- Monroe County Courthouse Early 1900s courthouse in Albia with classic architecture.
- Wayne County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Corydon, a focal point of the town square.
- Appanoose County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Centerville, the county seat.
- Outdoors Fishing for walleye, crappie, and bass at Rathbun Lake
- Outdoors Hiking and camping at Honey Creek State Park
- With kids Attending the county fair and 4-H shows
- With kids Swimming at the local pool
- Evenings Small-town bars and taverns
- Evenings Community dances at the legion hall
- Locals love Small-town cafes with homemade pie
- Locals love County fairgrounds
Through the year
- Appanoose County Fair July Livestock shows, carnival rides, and local food in Centerville.
- Lucas County Fair July 4-H exhibits, tractor pulls, and grandstand concerts in Chariton.
- Monroe County Fair July Family fun with livestock auctions and demolition derby in Albia.
- Wayne County Fair July Corydon's fair with harness racing and community dinners.
- Rathbun Lake Walleye Tournament April Annual spring fishing competition drawing anglers from across the region.
Southern Iowa has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. Spring and fall are mild and pleasant. Best: Late spring through early fall offers the most comfortable days for being outside.
Talk like a local
- “Pop”
- Soda or soft drink
- “Crick”
- Creek
- “You betcha”
- Yes, absolutely
- “Ope”
- Oops or excuse me
Getaways
- Ottumwa Bigger city with shopping, the Bridge View Center, and the Ottumwa Dam.
- Kirksville Home to Truman State University and Thousand Hills State Park.
- Oskaloosa Historic downtown and the Southern Iowa Speedway.
- Pella Dutch heritage, windmills, and the famous Pella Tulip Time.
Local flavour
Rooting for Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones
Eat and drink
- Iowa pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet served on a bun, a statewide staple.
- Loose meat sandwich Ground beef seasoned and served without a patty, popular in Iowa diners.
- Fresh sweet corn Summer staple, often boiled or grilled at local gatherings.
- Homemade pie at small-town cafes A classic dessert in rural Iowa, often featuring local fruits.
Where people go
- Small-town main streets Quaint downtowns with local businesses, cafes, and historic storefronts.
- County fairs Annual gatherings with livestock shows, carnival rides, and community pride.
- Grain elevators Tall structures that dot the horizon, symbols of the agricultural economy.
- Rural churches Small congregations that anchor many communities, often hosting suppers and events.
- Rathbun Lake A reservoir in Appanoose County, popular for fishing, boating, and camping.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaOttumwaIowaWhere the river bends and the corn grows tallKirksvilleMissouriWhere rolling fields meet a vibrant campus.OskaloosaIowaWhere the prairie meets the heartland.PellaIowaLocal rooms for Pella.FairfieldIowaWhere golden domes meet endless cornfields.TrentonMissouriWhere the hills roll and the catfish bite.Des MoinesIowaWhere the heartland meets the fairFort MadisonIowaRiver town warmth on the Mississippi
Appanoose, Lucas, Monroe and Wayne counties, IA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.