Home to Lafayette's first merchants, thriving culture near downtown
Centennial has earned its place at the center of Lafayette. Flanking downtown to the north, it's one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, and it's had time to develop a rich culture while preserving the city's history. It was where the city first began to expand off of downtown, following the industry that developed along the Wabash River and the railroad. This neighborhood is still an ideal location for those who want four walls with history near the center of the city's action.
"There are a lot of beautiful homes that were built and owned by people who were business owners, so they could be close to their shops downtown," says Kelly Lippie, Curator of Collections and Membership Coordinator at the Tippecanoe County Historical Association, which is located near downtown. With the city's densest concentration of houses of worship, Centennial has an abundance of cultural anchors. Not the least of which is a thriving art scene, promoting education and entertainment for all ages.
The Wells Community Center showcases local artists in Centennial.
The neighborhood of Centennial in downtown Lafayette is full of culture, arts and history.
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Grand Italianates and Victorians
Centennial is home to some of Lafayette's oldest houses, with properties still standing from the 1840s. The majority were built between 1870 and 1910, representing various architectural styles. One of the dominant styles is Italianate, known for classical influences and decorative detailing. Centennial Italianates can vary in the level of detailing, with minimalist, boxy brick houses on the more modest end. Some grand Italianate houses have tall, rounded towers, and lots of tall windows with decorative brackets on top. There are also grand Queen Anne homes with a rambling, asymmetrical exterior, sometimes featuring a wrap-around porch or second-story balcony.
"Because it's a designated historic district, homeowners have to comply with the Historic Preservation Commission," which provides guidance for the maintenance of historic buildings, Lippie says. Even newer buildings mimic the older styles, like the townhouses on North Fifth Street with Italianate window brackets. Single-family properties can cost between $140,000 and $250,000, while multi-family units can cost between $450,000 and $555,000.
Italian inspired homes can be found in the neighborhood of Centennial in downtown Lafayette.
Older restored homes can be found in the neighborhood of Centennial.
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Indoor theaters and outdoor parks
Centennial has varied activities for all ages, ranging from science to art to theater. Imagination Station offers Science Saturdays, where young ones can explore different topics such as the wonders of water. The Historic Monon Depot Theatre is home to the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, hosting stage productions such as Clue. Extensive education offerings are also part of programming, which includes summer camps and workshops. Wells Community Center, home of the Tippecanoe Arts Federation, features a performing arts space and three galleries showcasing work by regional artists.
Outdoor recreation is easy to access from anywhere in Centennial, with a park at its center. At half an acre, Centennial Park is this neighborhood's go-to green space. A bright red picnic shelter marks the entrance to the park, while a historic marker explains the neighborhood's origins. It has a multiage playground with swings, a playset and a full-sized basketball court with two nets. Outdoor spaces are also less than half-a-mile west across the Wabash. A pedestrian bridge leads across the water to Tapawingo Park, a 20-acre park with room for lots of recreation opportunities like ice skating, walking the trails and playing on the playground.
The Lafayette theater is a great place to see a show in Centennial.
Centennial Park is a small park nestled right in the middle of downtown Lafayette.
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Candle-lit dinner at Bistro 501
There is no need to travel to get unique shopping and dining experiences. Main Street, just a block south of Centennial, is the city's main commercial strip. It's stocked with boutiques, record stores, candle shops, coffee shops, breweries, pubs and patios. Here, many restaurants serve unique takes on American cuisine with rustic, industrial interiors. Bistro 501 offers a romantic candle-lit dinner beneath the chandelier. Their French-inspired menu features entrees such as maple leaf farm duck with crispy parsnip. The Lobby by Greyhouse serves an after-dinner cocktail and crème brûlée.
Lafayette offers a quality school pipeline
Centennial got its name from the neighborhood's old schoolhouse, which was built in 1876 during America's centennial celebration, and was demolished in 1971. Today, Centennial's elementary students may attend Miller, which earns a B-minus from Niche, or Murdock, which earns a B. As of 2010, students in the district typically progress from Sunnyside Intermediate to Tecumseh Junior High, which both earn a B-minus from Niche, to Jefferson High School, with an impressive A-minus. The high school has a wide range of Advanced Placement subjects including art, computer science and English.
Sunny Side Intermediate School prepares the youth of Lafayette for accelerated learning.
Lafayette Tecumseh Junior High School serves kids 8th though 9th.
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Historic churches still stand tall
Annual festivities are another perk of downtown living. In June, the Arts Federation hosts Taste of Tippecanoe, a tradition 40 years strong and Lafayette's largest annual street festival. The city stays up until midnight to enjoy a variety of local food, music and art. Six churches — built between 1858 and 1914 — also bring the community together for weekly worship services. Saint Boniface Catholic Church towers over the neighborhood in a Gothic Revival style and offers various ways to engage, including youth groups and Hispanic ministry.
Trains from Centennial to Chicago
Walking is a common way to get around the neighborhood, where sidewalks connect each street and mature trees provide some shade. The downtown area is also a hub for public transportation. Lafayette's CityBus headquarters is located on the neighborhood's west side, routing buses throughout the city. Also near the west side is an Amtrak station, with trains departing for Indianapolis and Chicago.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cathy Russell,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Tapawingo Park
Columbian Park
Centennial Park
Footbridge Sharing Garden
Trinity United Methodist Sharing Garden
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Centennial
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
8
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
8
4
Burglary
9
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
9
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Centennial, Lafayette sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Centennial, Lafayette over the last 12 months is $272,333, down 21% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Fantastic building lot in the desirable Abby Marle subdivision. This lot is centrally located with just a short drive to West Lafayette, I65, and the lakes of Monticello. This unique lot has specific by-laws, as it doesn't utilize the common road of Abby Marle. This lot has a drainage system already installed, so you can add a basement to your dream home with no worries!
Welcome to Thiel on 9th, our exciting new historical renovation in Downtown Lafayette!Welcome to Thiel on 9th! We're thrilled to introduce you to our beautifully renovated historical building right in the heart of downtown Lafayette. This stunning Spanish revival structure features four generously sized units, each thoughtfully modernized from the ground up. Enjoy brand new electrical systems,
Welcome to Thiel on 9th, our exciting new historical renovation in Downtown Lafayette!Welcome to Thiel on 9th! We're thrilled to introduce you to our beautifully renovated historical building right in the heart of downtown Lafayette. This stunning Spanish revival structure features four generously sized units, each thoughtfully modernized from the ground up. Enjoy brand new electrical systems,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cathy Russell,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
943
Median Age
33
Population under 18
18.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
8.1%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$23,161
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$41,817
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.3%
College Graduates
52.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
38.5%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
7''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
72/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
81/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
52/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
