Centerville in Hickman County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Local Place
Historic Downtown Centerville
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, January 4, 2025
1. The Local Place Marker
Inscription.
The Local Place. . In the early 1920's, Leslie's Pie Wagon, a small frame building, stood here. John and Bessie Breece took possession in 1939, and in 1946 Edward and Lucille Breece took over the cafι and replaced it with a two-story brick structure, shared by Breeces and Beasley Furniture. Daughter Linda and her husband Jerry Bates became owners in 1980 and were joined in 1984 by Linda's sister Sherry Smithson. Lucille made pies for Breece's Cafι for the next two decades. Breece's was famous for plate lunches and homemade pies, and its breakfast was popular with hunters and early rising workers. It was a favorite eatery for Minnie Pearl (Ophelia Colley Cannon) when she visited her Centerville family. Breece's closed in 2020 and was replaced by The Local Place in 2022. The old neon sign remains on the building as a reminder of a 75-year legacy.
In the early 1920's, Leslie's Pie Wagon, a small frame building, stood here. John and Bessie Breece took possession in 1939, and in 1946 Edward and Lucille Breece took over the cafι and replaced it with a two-story brick structure, shared by Breeces and Beasley Furniture. Daughter Linda and her husband Jerry Bates became owners in 1980 and were joined in 1984 by Linda's sister Sherry Smithson. Lucille made pies for Breece's Cafι for the next two decades. Breece's was famous for plate lunches and homemade pies, and its breakfast was popular with hunters and early rising workers. It was a favorite eatery for Minnie Pearl (Ophelia Colley Cannon) when she visited her Centerville family. Breece's closed in 2020 and was replaced by The Local Place in 2022. The old neon sign remains on the building as a reminder of a 75-year legacy.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.
Location. 35° 46.696′ N, 87° 27.985′ W. Marker is in Centerville, Tennessee, in Hickman County. It is at the intersection of South Public Square and Short St, on the right when traveling east on South Public Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 S 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 walking distance
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, January 4, 2025
2. The Local Place Marker (marker on left edge of building on left)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
