Centralia
Around Centralia
Photo: Chris Light · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Washington · 87k people
Centralia
Locals say Twin Cities · “Twin Cities”, “Gateway to the Cascades”
Where the pines meet the past
Evergreen GreenTimber BrownGold
Welcome to the Twin Cities! Grab a coffee and wander the historic streets of Centralia, or catch a show at the Fox. With the river, the lake, and the fair close by, there's always something to do.
Clubs for Centralia
No clubs for Centralia yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Centralia. 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 Centralia. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Fox Theatre Historic 1930s movie palace in Centralia hosting concerts and events.
- Veterans Memorial Museum Extensive military history museum in Chehalis.
- Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Vintage steam locomotive rides along the Chehalis River.
- Lakeview Park Centralia's lake with swimming, fishing, and picnic spots.
- Borst Park & Home Historic pioneer farmstead and park in Centralia.
- Lewis County Historical Museum Local artifacts and exhibits in Chehalis.
- Outdoors Hiking in the Cascade foothills
- Outdoors Fishing the Cowlitz River
- With kids Riding the steam train
- With kids Swimming at Lakeview Park
- Evenings Live music at the Fox Theatre
- Evenings Local pub trivia
- Locals love Coffee stands
- Locals love Antique shops
Through the year
- Southwest Washington Fair August The big summer fair in Chehalis with rides, livestock, and concerts.
- Morton Loggers Jubilee August Logging sports, parade, and small-town celebration in Morton.
- Winlock Egg Day June A quirky town festival celebrating the egg industry with food and games.
- Mossyrock Blueberry Festival July Blueberry-themed treats, vendors, and family fun in Mossyrock.
- Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Pumpkin Train October Fall train rides with pumpkin picking at the depot.
Mild and wet in winter, dry and warm in summer. Best time to be out is June through September. Best: June through September
Talk like a local
- “Twin Cities”
- The combined Centralia-Chehalis area.
- “The Fair”
- The Southwest Washington Fair in Chehalis.
- “The Lake”
- Riffe Lake.
- “Up the valley”
- The Morton/Mossyrock area in the eastern part of the county.
Getaways
Local flavour
Rooting for Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), Seattle Kraken (NHL), University of Washington Huskies (NCAA), Washington State Cougars (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Coffee Pacific Northwest coffee culture is pervasive; locals rely on strong drip and espresso.
- Huckleberry Pie A regional treat, often foraged from the nearby Cascades and served in local diners.
- Smoked Salmon Though more coastal, salmon is a Pacific Northwest staple, often smoked and served at gatherings.
Where people go
- Historic downtowns Centralia and Chehalis both feature well-preserved early 20th-century main streets with brick buildings and local shops.
- Small-town diners and cafes Family-run eateries serve classic American fare, often with a Pacific Northwest twist like huckleberry specials.
- Cowlitz River River running through the valley, great for fishing and floating.
- Riffe Lake Big reservoir near Mossyrock for boating and swimming.
Heritage and traditions
Centralia and Chehalis are proud of their working-class heritage, rooted in logging and railroads, and their small-town friendliness. They celebrate this history through festivals, museums, and a strong sense of community.
This time of year in Centralia
- Pumpkin Train October Fall steam train rides with pumpkin picking.
- Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Pumpkin Train October A fall-themed train ride with pumpkin picking.
Say it like a local: “"Cougar" — used for both the animal and the high school mascot.” — Cougar
Festivals
- Southwest Washington Fair August A classic county fair with livestock, rides, and concerts.
- Morton Loggers Jubilee July Celebrates logging heritage with competitions, parades, and a carnival.
- Winlock Egg Day June Honors the town's egg industry with a parade, egg toss, and breakfast.
- Mossyrock Blueberry Festival July Features blueberry treats, crafts, and a small-town atmosphere.
- Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Pumpkin Train October A fall-themed train ride with pumpkin picking.
- Santa Train December A holiday ride on the steam train with Santa aboard.
Landmarks with a story
- Centralia Massacre Memorial Commemorates the 1919 labor conflict, a pivotal moment in local history.
- Borst Park & Home A pioneer-era farmhouse and park in Centralia.
- Lewis County Historical Museum Housed in a former train depot, it preserves the area's logging and railroad past.
- Veterans Memorial Museum Honors military veterans with extensive exhibits.
- Chehalis Historic Depot An early 20th-century train station that anchors the downtown.
- Fox Theatre A restored 1930s movie palace that hosts live performances.
Food traditions
- Blueberry everything Local farms grow blueberries, and festivals feature pies, jams, and pancakes.
- Egg breakfasts Winlock's egg industry means fresh eggs are a staple at local diners.
- Smoked salmon Cowlitz River salmon are smoked and shared at community gatherings.
- Loggers' stew Hearty stews and chili served at logging events and fundraisers.
- Huckleberry treats Wild huckleberries are picked in the foothills and used in pies and syrups.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and old-time music Local jam sessions and festivals celebrate Appalachian-style roots music.
- Community theater The Fox Theatre and local groups stage plays and musicals.
- Logging sports as performance Ax throwing and sawing competitions at the Jubilee are a spectator art.
A little history
- 1919 Centralia Massacre
- Late 1800s Railroad hub era
- Early 1900s Logging boom
- 1920s Winlock's egg industry
- 1960s Mossyrock Dam construction
Rivalries
- Centralia vs. Chehalis high school football The annual 'Twin Cities' game is a big local event.
- WSU Cougars vs. UW Huskies College football rivalry splits the region.
- Game day High school football
- Game day Logging sports competitions
- Outdoors Hiking in the Cascade foothills
- Outdoors Fishing the Cowlitz River
- With kids Riding the steam train
- With kids Swimming at Lakeview Park
Residents speak a typical Pacific Northwest English, with a relaxed pace and a tendency to drop the 'g' in -ing words. Local vocabulary includes logging and rural terms, and people often refer to the weather and the mountains.
Only here
- The Centralia Massacre of 1919, a labor history event that still sparks discussion.
- The steam train that runs through the Chehalis River valley.
- Winlock's giant egg monument, a quirky roadside attraction.
- The Morton Loggers Jubilee, where professional loggers compete in axe throwing and sawing.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the rain: carry a rain jacket year-round; it's part of the charm.
- Learn the local history: the Centralia Massacre and logging heritage are key to understanding the community.
- Drive carefully on I-5: traffic can be heavy, especially during commute hours.
- Try the local diners: they're social hubs and serve hearty, home-style food.
- Visit the museums and the steam train early—they're beloved local institutions.
Make this page better
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Part of Seattle area
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Centralia, WA. 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.