Centerville in Hickman County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
400 West Public Square
Historic Downtown Centerville
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, January 4, 2025
1. 400 West Public Square marker
Inscription.
400 West Public Square. . One of the oldest buildings on the square, 400 West Public Square was built by Walker and Barnwell in 1884, following the fire of 1883. Clagett Brothers had operated a general merchandise store on this corner beginning around 1834. The structure has Italianate detailing, a unique style of architecture for Centerville at that time. It also included a covered porch. In 1918 Lem Allen bought the building and ran a general store which later became Roberts Department Store, then Gallaher's Clothing until 1956. Peeler Electric was located here next, and Dollar General Store opened here in 1961, later moving to 409 West Public Square in the 1970s. Other occupants were Centerville Recreation Center, Elk Valley Home Health, Harpers Clothing, Tennessee Fresh Finds, and Maxine's Sweet Shop, as well as apartments on the upper floor. Chris Wilson purchased the building in 2021 and restored much of the faηade.
One of the oldest buildings on the square, 400 West Public Square was built by Walker and Barnwell in 1884, following the fire of 1883. Clagett Brothers had operated a general merchandise store on this corner beginning around 1834. The structure has Italianate detailing, a unique style of architecture for Centerville at that time. It also included a covered porch. In 1918 Lem Allen bought the building and ran a general store which later became Roberts Department Store, then Gallaher's Clothing until 1956. Peeler Electric was located here next, and Dollar General Store opened here in 1961, later moving to 409 West Public Square in the 1970s. Other occupants were Centerville Recreation Center, Elk Valley Home Health, Harpers Clothing, Tennessee Fresh Finds, and Maxine's Sweet Shop, as well as apartments on the upper floor. Chris Wilson purchased the building in 2021 and restored much of the faηade.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 35° 46.74′ N, 87° 28.043′ W. Marker is in Centerville, Tennessee, in Hickman County. It is on West Public Square, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 W Public Square, Centerville TN 37033, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee and in the Highland Rim. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, January 4, 2025
2. 400 West Public Square marker (marker is on far right of the building on the right)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 199 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
