Who We Are
Centerville Archway Days Festival
PO Box 42
Centerville, IN 47330
Centerville Architecture focuses on Greek Revival and Italianate style; yet, the area does have a few Victorian homes. The buildings in the historic area range from 1820 through 1898 with the majority being built from 1830-1860. The five existing Archways are unusual in the interior of the U.S. The Centerville Archways date from 1820 through 1836:
Backenstoes Archway
c.1835 at 139 East Main Street
Dill Archway
c.1830 at 109 South Morton Avenue
Lantz Archway
c. 1823 at 212 West Main Street
Malone Archway
c. 1836 at 119 West Main Street
Shortridge Archway
c. 1820 at 205 W. Main Street
The Archway Days Festival began in 1988 as Hoosier Celebration '88. It included a parade of antique vehicles which ended at Maplewood Park. There, people enjoyed "Music! And Dancing! and ice cream and pie and fellowship of the Centerville community." Before the end of the day, the dates for the next year were set and the name of 'Archway Days' was chosen. In 1989, Centerville celebrated 175 years and the festival grew to include a pageant, "Walking Through the Archways of Centerville", a horseshoe tournament, 5K Run and Fun Walk, a Pet Parade, a Lemonade Stand and a Homes Tour.
The Festival has grown and evolved into a very popular festival in eastern Indiana. It now includes many vendors of food, crafts and traditional fair merchandise plus games such as the pedal tractor pull, pie and watermelon eating contests. A large variety of entertainment, including various kinds of music is heard in the Stiver Performance Shelter in Maplewood Park.