During a barn raising in 1836, it was proposed that a town be incorporated on land belonging to Henry Randleman.

The name "Centerville" was proposed, as the site was equidistant from Belleville, Columbia, and Pittsburg Lake.

The current Centreville and our Centerville each had a post offices through which a great deal of mail became confused and mis-delivered.

It made national headlines and became the subject of the book The Ax Murders of Saxtown.

Illinois Route 158, or Washington Avenue, leads west to Columbia and east to Belleville.

The other main street is Jefferson Avenue, the north part of which forms the southern end of Illinois Route 163, leading north to Centreville, where it intersects highways providing access to East St. Louis.

The south end of Jefferson Avenue, as it leaves Millstadt, becomes Floraville Road.