Centreville  was the original spelling and the name was chosen for the geographic location in the county. Leona was the first county seat then the county seat was moved to the center of the county and named Centreville (Leona had served as county seat until it was discovered it was not exactly in the center of the county). Buffalo served for a short time, which was also off-center.

A timeline of significant events in Centerville's history
1846: Leon County is organized and named after Martin de Leon.
1850: Centerville becomes county seat, post office opens and a log cabin was built as a courthouse
1851: First school classes are held in the back room of a store
1852: The Leon Pioneer is published
1853: Frederick Law Olmstead (the landscape architect who designed New York City's Central Park) visits Centerville
1858: Leon County gets its first brick courthouse
During Reconstruction an infantry company was stationed in Centreville.
1872: The International-Great Northern Railroad bypasses the town
1884: Population reaches 300
1886: The 1858 Courthouse burns and is replaced
1910: First bank is opened
1914: Centerville has its name officially changed to Centerville and population reaches 600
1930: Centerville is incorporated - population had declined to 388
1937: An annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival is established
1950: Population comes close to breaking 1,000 with 961 people calling Centerville home.

Because of the location on I-45 and being centrally located between Houston, Dallas and Austin, Leon  County is strategically located for economic development.  The economic expectations for Leon County through the next ten years and beyond are strong.  These economic expectations form a good base for economic development in Leon County, particularly in the light of the county's economic strengths.  Some of the strengths of the county to attract and retain business include its central location, its close proximity to the State's urban areas, its placement on I-45 and major rail lines, its small town quality of life, its nearness to lake limestone, Fort Boggy State Park, an existing economic development organization and some strong commercial activities, including Nucor Steel, Houston Light & Power Company's Generating Station, the Jewett Mine, the BOC plant, the area's agri-business and the area's small businesses.  Low land cost, affordable housing and a very low tax rate add to the attractiveness as a site for business relocation or a new business development as well as providing a more peaceful life-style for those wanting to "get away from it all."

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