Centerville, Minnesota is located in southeastern Anoka County. It is situatied on 1597 acres and is located about 20 minutes from downtown St. Paul. It has a population of 3848 (2005 estimate). The largest employers are town is the Waterworks Beach Club and Rehbein Inc.
The Dakota Sioux lived here in the 1600's and 1700's. In the late 1700's they abandoned the village, but returned to harvest wild rice, which was abundant.
The city of Centerville was first platted and laid-out in 1854 by French settlers Peltier, LaMotte, and LaValle. The name was chosen because of its central location - half way between Stillwater, Anoka, and St. Paul - and because it was a very popular rest stop for pioneers travelling though the area in the earliest days of the Minnesota Territory. It was officially established in 1857 before Minnesota became a state. Its rich French and Canadian heritage is celebrated during the annual Fete Des Lacs Festival.
As you can see from the map, it is a small city that is complete surrounded by the larger city of Lino Lakes. This is because Centerville was very well established when the remainder of the township decided to incorporate in 1955 to prevent being annexed by neighboring cities and to take advantage of public financing for improvements.
Centerville is a small, quite, historic town with two very popular lakes - Peltier Lake and Centerville Lake. The adjacent Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve provides many outdoor activites and is connected to the regional county trail system.
Peltier Lake is a very popular fishing lake in both summer and winter. It is known as one of the best panfish lakes in the Twin Cities Metro Area. Sunfish are hitting in 8 to 10 feet of water, northern pike are also a primary target for anglers. Walleye are present, but not abundant. Peltier Lake has a public fishing dock just off of County Road 14 on the lake's south side not far from the boat landing.
The Bald Eagle Waterski Show is just one popular attraction on Centerville Lake. This is a non-profit group of skiiers that have been performing since 1953. The lake is also known for crappie fishing, which is especially active near the pumphouse.
Centerville has a wide range of housing - from the big fancy new homes on the lakefront to the smaller more modest homes in the "core" of the city and around Clearwater Creek. So far this year, single family homes sold in Centerville range from $150,ooo to $596,000 (actual sold price).
© Copyright Patti Ann Kasper 2007
Housing statistics are based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INC for the period of Jan 1, 2007 through Aug 31, 2007.
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