WELCOME TO THE TOWN OF CENTREVILLE
With its relaxed lifestyle, gracious residents, amicable
merchants, and tree-lined streets, Centreville is a classic example
of small-town America. The town was created to implement a 1782 Act
of the state Assembly that authorized removal of the courthouse and
government functions of Queen Anne’s County from Queenstown to a
more central location. When suitable land was acquired ten years
later, logic prevailed in naming the place to reflect the
site-selection specification. The aberrant spelling “Centre-Ville”
stemmed from the adulation of all things French following the
Revolutionary War. Actually, the site was chosen not only because
of its central location, but also because of the maritime access
provided by its proximity to the headwaters of the Corsica
River.
Building of the federal-style courthouse began in 1791; the
first recorded case was heard there in 1794. The same building—with
19th-century additions— still graces the town square and proudly
wears the mantle of oldest courthouse in continuous use in the
State of Maryland. Queen Anne’s County Historical Society displays
other notable examples of 18th century architecture: Wright’s
Chance (built before 1744) and the Tucker House (c. 1794). The fine
houses built by sea captains near the Wharf also are among the
oldest dwellings to be found in Centreville.
History is reflected in the diverse architecture seen along the
streets of the town—elegant Victorian homes with their wrap-around
porches, neo-classical public buildings, late-19th-century
commercial rows, late-20th-century institutional and government
structures, and all the variations and curiosities in between.
Today, Centreville remains the governmental and legal center of
Queen Anne’s County and the commercial center of the surrounding
agricultural community. Busy state Route 213 runs through the town.
A business park at the south end of town is progressing nicely.
There is a modern library and a comprehensive high school, a middle
school, and an elementary school. The people who live and work in
Centreville are in step with the world but have managed to preserve
the traditional lifestyle of their town.
Special instructions: Getting a signal near the cache itself
will be difficult. So that you don't become frustrated with this
cache location, here is a good strategy: (1) Start off by going to
the nearby open space in the front yard of the Circuit Court House
and get a good satellite connection (while you are there you can
check out the statute of Queen Anne), then, follow your GPS as far
as practical across the street and into a public thoroughfare -
alley located adjacent to the Centreville Town Office.
Depending on your signal strength the rest may be quite easy -
otherwise there is a hint below to keep you moving in the right
direction. The courtyard contains a small picnic table and is a
public space open to all.
There is ample (metered) parking very near to the cache and
there are several free parking lots in town. There are a great
selection of places in town worthy of some exploration.
Thank you for visiting the Town of Centreville!
Thanks to Tonylama for helping with this hide!
