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Located in the heart of the rolling farm lands of Wayne County along U.S. 40, Centerville is a town of 2,500 known for antique shops and unique historic arches. Platted in 1814, Centerville is the oldest town in the county and home to the county’s original log courthouse and the uniquely restored former home of Indiana’s Civil War Governor Oliver P. Morton.

Boasting a strong school system, Centerville was listed as the Best Place to Raise Kids in Indiana by Bloomberg in 2011. It is a short ride from Richmond, Interstate 70 and the Warm Glow Candle Company, whose giant candle can be seen from I-70.

It is also a short drive from Cope Environmental Center, which boasts over 3 miles of hiking trails, a new Sustainable Education Center and year-round programming for the entire family.

Centerville Abington School Corporation has an enrollment of 1,781 and a 91.67 percent high school graduation rate.

Population: 2,579
Schools: Centerville-Abington

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A 15-minute drive up U.S. 27 from Interstate 70 and Richmond is Fountain City, a quiet farming community that was once home to an important stop on the Underground Railroad.

Levi and Catherine Coffin were Quakers from North Carolina who settled in the Fountain City area in the 1820s. They were opposed to slavery and, for 20 years used their family home to harbor slaves fleeing slavery in the South. Their home, The Levi Coffin House, still stands in the heart of Fountain City and has been designated as one of the top 25 historical sites in the nation.

The rich and lush farmland around Fountain City has been settled by Amish and The Amish Store, just south of the town, is a bountiful find for shoppers looking to buy a variety of fresh vegetables, meats, cheeses, crafts, flowers and handcrafted outdoor/indoor furniture and cabinets.

Northeastern Wayne School Corporation serves the Fountain City, Williamsburg, Webster, Whitewater and Bethel communities and has an enrollment of 1,332 and a 97.56 percent high school graduation rate.

Population: 744
Schools: Northeastern Wayne

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Hagerstown resonates with small town, Hoosier charm and boasts antique shops and historic architecture. A short distance from the Indiana Gateway Industrial Park, the town of 2,000 is located near the juncture of Indiana 1 and 38 and is the former home of Ralph Teetor, who, blinded at age 5, went on to lead the automotive parts industry as president of The Perfect Circle Co. and invented the cruise control in automobiles.

Teetor’s mansion still stands on Hagerstown’s west side and his Tedco Toy Company still operates, making the Tedco Gyroscope.

Shops line its downtown district and several Amish shops are located just outside town. Hagerstown is renown for the grass runway at its municipal airport, one of the largest in Indiana. Every July, the town hosts a hugely popular fly-in for antique aircraft. It is also home to the Autocar truck factory, Abbott’s Candies, renown around Indiana for its selection of carmels, and Willie & Red’s, formerly Welliver’s Smorgasbord.

Nettle Creek School Corporation serves the Hagerstown, Economy and Greens Fork communities with an enrollment of 1,096 and 95.45 percent high school graduation rate.

Population: 1,934
Schools: Nettle Creek

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Wayne County’s largest city with a population of over 36,000, Richmond is rich in history, architecture and entertainment opportunities. Home to Earlham College, Indiana University East, Ivy Tech Community College and Reid Health, Richmond is located along Interstate 70 with U.S. 40 running through the heart of the city.

The city offers fine dining, shopping, arts and culture and, for bikers, hikers and joggers, is the origin of the scenic Cardinal Greenway Trail, a 54-mile expanse of former railroad bed that is Indiana’s longest stretch of recreational trail.

Richmond also boasts historic architecture and is home to one of the Madonnas of the Trail, the 12 statues located in states from Maryland to California, that stand in tribute to the women who traveled the Old National Road to settle the United States. Twice designated as an All- City, Richmond was recently named a Stellar Community by the state of Indiana, a designation that includes a $19 million investment to transform the downtown district into a place where people want to live, play and experience the city’s cultural and entertainment offerings.

Richmond Community Schools serves the Richmond and has an enrollment of 4,574 (K-12) and has a 94.49 percent high school graduation rate.

Population: 35,539
Schools: Richmond Community

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