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.

As railroads shifted commerce and streets stitched the city together, this corner evolved from orchard and homestead into a hub of everyday life—grocery counters, dry cleaners, clothing shops, and a bustling hotel that hosted travelers from across the country. Each chapter reflected the same spirit: a place shaped by people who believed land should serve community.

Today, that legacy lives on in The Hubbub and Hubcap Art Park—spaces filled with art, conversation, and quiet moments of reflection. More than buildings, they are a continuation of a long tradition: turning a simple corner of town into a place where stories gather and community grows.