CENTERVILLE—While some city names may be shrouded in mystery, the name of Centerville actually makes more sense than many might think. A city that has its roots alongside other cities and towns in the area, Centerville’s history is both familiar and unique. 

Centerville can trace its roots back to a man named Thomas Grover. In early 1848, Grover, along with Osmyn and William Deuel began to carve a settlement out of the soil of what would become Centerville. They, along with their families began building their rudimentary settlements with a lack of raw materials.

Many homes in the area lacked proper construction, and were made out of what was available: wood pegs, leather, or other materials. Later on, homes were constructed out of adobe, or mud, until more suitable materials became available. 

The name Centerville actually refers to the position of the settlement itself, being positioned in the center between neighboring Farmington and Bountiful. Like its neighbors, Centerville grew rapidly, incorporating families, and tradespeople from all different backgrounds, and expanding its borders, adding new things each year. 

Centerville has maintained a firm grip on its history over the years, with several 19th-century buildings still standing and in use, though not for their original purposes. Despite a robust history in the mid-to-late 1800s, it wasn’t until after the outbreak of the First World War that Centerville was officially incorporated. 

On May 4, 1915, Centerville became an official town in the state of Utah, but, it wasn’t until the 1920s that the first street lamps, designed and installed by local residents, lit the streets. It wasn’t long after that floods ravaged the area not once, but twice in the space of less than 10 years. 

Centerville, like its neighbors, successfully built back, and while not necessarily recognized as an industrial center, Centerville is a community in the very sense of the word. Many residents have made their homes there, and whether they work in the city, or commute to one of the surrounding neighborhoods, they all call Centerville home.