Station: Centreville, MI

Centreville was settled with a tavern about 1830. In 1831 the county seat of St. Joseph County was established here. The town was incorporated as a village in 1837.

Centreville, which was near the center of the county, later received rail service from the Michigan Air Line railroad (later MC/NYC/PC) on their line between Jackson and Niles via Three Rivers.

Image Info: Top, the Centreville depot and elevator. [CMUL]. 2nd photo, the Michigan Central depot at Centreville. 3rd and 4th images, additional view of the depot [St. Joseph County Historical Society collection], 5th image, the freight depot and elevator at Centerville. [Alan Loftis collection]

Notes

Time Line

1870. June. The people of Centerville celebrated the completion of the Michigan Air Line railroad to their town with a sumptuous dinner in the track-layers and invited guests. After dinner, [the railroad] gave a free ride over the road, running to Three Rivers and back. Everything passed off pleasantly. [DFP-1870-0604]

1917. The MC had an operator-agent here around-the-clock. [TRT]

1920. On the Michigan Central Air Line, this is a passenger, freight and express agency joint with the American Railway Express Company. Interline tickets are issued. T. A. Pendleton is the agent. The telegraph call sign is "CE". [MCOAS]