Along U.S. 40, just west of Richmond, a quaint Indiana town is home to a most unusual architectural treasure hidden in plain sight.
Platted in 1814, little Centerville served as the Wayne County seat from 1818 until 1873. As westward expansion brought more traffic through the emerging community, the Old National Road was narrowed from 100 feet to 65 feet, creating an opportunity to erect new rows of buildings with common walls over the town’s original structures. For access between the old and new, the city built in a series of arches just large enough to allow horses and wagons to pass through.
A handful of these features still distinguish the “City of Arches,” creating a fun scavenger hunt of sorts for architecture enthusiasts and history buffs. One of the five existing arches—the Shortridge—is a single-barrel design just big enough for one horse and rider. The double-barrel Backenstoe, Dill, Lantz, and Malone arches make up the rest of the collection.
The arches earn consideration and appreciation during the Centerville Archway Days Festival each summer, although visitors are welcome to seek them out to admire any time of the year as well.
Round out a Centerville visit by exploring the curiosity-filled shops that comprise Indiana’s Antique Alley as it runs through the western half of Wayne County. You’re sure to work up an appetite! The aptly named 5 Arch Brewing Co. serves up delicious craft beer and gastropub eats right in the heart of the action.
If you want to make a weekend of it, the charming Lavender & Sage Airbnb offers lovely accommodations in a second-floor flat above a locally owned gardening and home décor store.
For more information, go to visitrichmond.org.
