When the Fox Theatre opened in 1930, its glowing marquee transformed Tower Avenue into one of Centralia’s most vibrant gathering places. Crowds filled the sidewalks as families, couples, and moviegoers arrived beneath the theatre’s bright lights, eager to experience the newest era of entertainment. Designed in the Art Deco style, the Fox reflected a growing city embracing modern culture and the excitement of motion pictures.

Built in 1912, the Landers Building at 209 N. Tower Ave. reflects Centralia’s early 20th-century confidence as Tower Avenue became the city’s commercial spine. Designed for active street-level business and upper-floor use, the building helped shape the rhythm of downtown life during a period of lasting growth.

During the early 1920s, Centralia was entering a new chapter of development as the city stretched beyond its original commercial core. New civic and fraternal buildings began appearing throughout downtown, signaling a community growing not only in size, but in confidence and identity.

Long before downtown Centralia became the historic district it is today, the Olympic Club stood at the center of its daily life. Opening in 1908 along busy Tower Avenue, the saloon welcomed railroad workers, loggers, travelers, and locals moving through a city fueled by timber and rail. Inside, conversations carried across the room as news, stories, and business passed between familiar faces and strangers alike.

Built in 1910, the Howell Hotel at 216 N. Tower Ave. reflects Centralia’s early downtown growth, when lodging, dining, and commerce often shared the same building. With the Howell Hotel operating upstairs under proprietor Marion Howell and Moore Bros. Café at street level, the building served travelers, workers, and locals moving through a city shaped by rail, timber, and trade.

Long before Tower Avenue became Centralia’s main artery, this ground belonged to George Washington—a man born into the shadow of slavery who walked 25 miles to protect the land he called home. In 1852, he built a cabin near the Chehalis River and the region’s busiest trails, welcoming travelers and laying the foundation for a future town once known as Centerville.

Built in 1927, the Proffitt Building stands as a landmark of Centralia’s commercial history. Founded in 1907 by Samuel Lehman “Lee” Proffitt, Proffitt’s Department Store grew from a single storefront into a regional business serving Centralia, Chehalis, Longview, and Olympia. The three-story brick and concrete building introduced modern retail design to downtown Centralia, featuring terrazzo floors, an elevator, professional offices, and a prominent neon marquee along Tower Avenue.

In 1909, The Ladies of the Roundtable initiated a push for a library in Centralia, obtaining a $15,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie and land for the library from the City of Centralia.

Designed by Pacific Northwest architect Joseph Wohleb and constructed in 1921, this two-story, two part commercial black with Mission Revival styling is concrete construction with red brick siding and a concrete foundation. The main entrance on the north façade has been reconstructed using original and complimentary new materials.

Turn the corner from Main Street onto Railroad Avenue in Centralia, and instantly time is turned back to the beginning of the twentieth century. The 1890’s were a boom period for Centralia. The city was ballooning into the 20th century with a population of 5500. The railroad, therefore, built a large depot. It is a beautiful example of fine brick ornamentation, magnificent interior woodwork, detailed tile work, and oak benches famous in this era. Like other depots of its day, it is three buildings under one roof, but the roof details were what distinguished it from others.