This initial point was established in 1815, and it governs land surveys for about 60% of the state of Illinois, including Chicago.

Michael Moore's documentary, The Big One (1998), opens with the closing of this candy bar plant in the late 20th century.

[6] A broad red stripe through the center of the flag represents the railroads to which the city owes its existence.

A gold star above and below the stripe signifies the area's mining and agricultural industries.

[7] The disaster was memorialized in folk singer Woody Guthrie's song "The Dying Miner".

[7] Centralia is located approximately 60 miles (97 km) east of St. Louis, Missouri.

Centralia is one of three Illinois cities with portions in four counties, the others being Barrington Hills and Aurora.

Because of its unique location within multiple counties, portions of Centralia are associated with different Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs).

The portion of Centralia in Washington County is not considered part of any metropolitan or micropolitan area.

[14] The center hosts the Centralia Philharmonic Orchestra (an amateur orchestra), the Little Theatre Players, the Choral Society, Bronze Expressions Handbell Ensemble; and periodically hosts galleries by the Light and Lens photography club, and Palette and Brush club, and student art shows.

One of only two remaining 2500-class steam locomotives from the Illinois Central Railroad is preserved on static display at Centralia's Fairview Park.

In 2012, the downtown area of Centralia was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

[29][30] Centralia's Foundation Park is a scenic 235-acre (0.95 km2) park that features hiking trails, an exercise trail, an ice skating pond, and two fishing ponds stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish.

The park also sports a restored prairie, a 36-hole disc-golf course, a Chapel in the Woods, the Hall Shelter, the Sentinel Shelter, The Bowl (an outdoor amphitheater), Moose Oven, and the Miner's Memorial.

Largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish populate the lake.

The Orphans got their unique nickname during the early 1900s when the boys' basketball team made it to the state tournament.

At the state tournament, an announcer commented that the team looked like a bunch of orphans on the court because of their mismatched uniforms.

In 2013 and 2014, the Centralia Orphans were recently named the Most Unique Mascot in the nation by USA Today.

The private Christ, Our Rock Lutheran High School first opened its doors in August 2004 with nine students.

Kaskaskia College has extension centers in the surrounding towns of Vandalia, Salem, Greenville, Trenton, and Nashville.

The Harry L.Crisp Technology Center is located on the east side of Centralia and houses occupational and technical programs.

South Central Transit is the public transportation system for Centralia and surrounding areas.

Amtrak Train 59, the southbound City of New Orleans, departs Centralia at 12:25 am daily with service to Carbondale, Fulton, Newbern-Dyersburg, Memphis, Greenwood, Yazoo City, Jackson, Hazlehurst, Brookhaven, McComb, Hammond and New Orleans.

Amtrak Train 58, the northbound City of New Orleans, departs Centralia at 4:10 am daily with service to Effingham, Mattoon, Champaign-Urbana, Kankakee, Homewood and Chicago.

The Centralia Correctional Center is a medium security prison for adult males opened in 1980.