Centerville in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Kings River - Centerville

Centerville - Kings River Marker image. Click for full size.

circa 2003

1. Centerville - Kings River Marker

Marker is just to the right of the IOOF hall.

Inscription. Gabriel Moraga of the Spanish Army, on Jan. 6, 1806 camped near here on the banks of a river never before seen by white men. The day was Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the three kings of the East to the Christ Child. This holy day suggested a name for the stream, "El Rio de los Santos Reyes", the River of the Holy Kings. In the 1850's, the village of Scottsburg grew up east of here but was repeatedly devastated by floods. It was relocated here in 1868 and named Centerville. It soon became a thriving trading and social center and was a candidate for county seat in 1874, but lost out to the new town of Fresno. The establishment of Sanger in 1887 began the decline of Centerville.
Dedicated this 21st day of October 1979 by the Jim Savage Chapter 1852, E Clampus Vitus.

Erected 1979 by E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 23.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1979.

Location. 36° 44.017′ N, 119° 29.85′ W. Marker is in Centerville, California, in Fresno County. Marker is on East Kings Canyon Road (State Highway 180) near South Rainbow Route, on

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the left when traveling east. Marker is located next to the historic IOOF (Oddfellows) Hall at the intersection of East Kings Canyon Road and South Rainbow Route. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16218 East Kings Canyon Road, Sanger CA 93657, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sanger (approx. 4.1 miles away); William "Yank" Hazelton (approx. 5.1 miles away); Major James D. Savage (approx. 7½ miles away); Wagon Bridge (approx. 9.1 miles away); Choinumni (approx. 9.7 miles away); Poole's Ferry (approx. 10.6 miles away); Academy (approx. 10.9 miles away); Academy Methodist Church (approx. 11.1 miles away).

More about this marker. The old IOOF hall is now a private residence and the owners take pride in keeping up the area around the monument. A tour of the inside of their residence shows the old peepholes in doors used for identifying fraternal order members. A historic place itself.

Regarding Kings River - Centerville. A short drive down South Rainbow Route takes you to and old old church building erected in about 1853 that was one of the earliest churches in Fresno County. It was abandoned in 1961 and is in very bad shape.

IOOF (OddFellows) Hall image. Click for full size.

2004

2. IOOF (OddFellows) Hall

The marker can be seen just to the right of the IOOF Hall behind a person in a red shirt.

Kings River - Centerville - image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tracy Parker, April 23, 2016

3. Kings River - Centerville -

I.O.O.F. Centerville, CA.

4. Kings River

Picture is several miles upstream on the Kings River.

Old Church on Old Rainbow Route in Centerville image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tracy Parker, April 23, 2016

5. Old Church on Old Rainbow Route in Centerville

Church Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tracy Parker, April 23, 2016

6. Church Building

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 2,934 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 22, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 3. submitted on May 7, 2016, by Tracy Parker of Fresno, California. 4. submitted on February 22, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 5, 6. submitted on May 7, 2016, by Tracy Parker of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.