Logan County History: Belle Center – The Early Days

The village was first known as “Bob Town” in the early days and then officially named Belle Centre. The spelling of Belle Centre remained until the Post Office changed it to Belle Center on September 7, 1893. Legend has it that many pretty girls lived in the area and thus it was a “Center of Belles”.

Once the railroad was established, Belle Centre flourished. All types of wares were purchased and shipped in by the railroad. Farmers depended on the railroad for livestock, machinery, and grain shipments. Passenger service had multiple schedules, and the mail was delivered via train for many years.

In the summer of 1873, a tornado hit Belle Center. It touched down west of the village destroying orchards, buildings, houses, two hotels, carriage factory, wagon shop, and the schoolhouse. The Methodist Church lost its roof, and the bell tower was blown down. Fortunately, no lives were lost.

Belle Center also suffered several fires over the years. The first major fire was in October 1892 at the corner of Main and Center Streets. A livery barn, two homes and a furniture store were destroyed.

In 1890, a new brick school building was built on the north edge of the village. It had eight rooms, a library and office and was heated and ventilated by the Smead system. The high school was chartered in 1896 with the first graduating class in the spring of 1897.

Churches in Belle Center include the United Methodist Church, Church of Christ, First Presbyterian Church, Reformed Presbyterian Church and United Presbyterian Church.

Belle Center at one time had five hotels, including the Big Four Hotel next to the railroad on Main St. and The Valentine Hotel. Other hotels were operated by Jim Short and Harry Fleming.

Other Belle Center businesses included dry goods stores, hardware stores, drugstores, groceries, millineries, harness shops, blacksmith shops, livery stables, sawmills, butcher shops, mills, a warehouse, depot, express office, tile and brick yard, stockyards, barber shops, bakeries, restaurants, creamery, mortician, and three resident Physicians.

Belle Center also had an Opera House, baseball team, band, telephone switchboard, bank, and Fire and Police Departments.

Agricultural businesses in Belle Center were an important part of the Belle Center community for many years. Early agricultural businesses included the Little Red Mill, Belle Center Milling Co., Healy Seed Co. and the Belle Center Hay and Grain Co.

In the early 1900’s David Christian Keller established the Belle Center Hay and Grain Co. At that time, hay was a large part of their business. Along with grain being bought, sold, and shipped, they also had a large coal business. Chester Keller joined his father in the business and expanded their facility to include the former Otto Polter Mill and the Healy Seed Co.

The Ellis Opera House was the center for many gatherings including plays, operettas, medicine shows, stage companies, various entertainers, silent movies, debates, recitals, High School commencements, and basketball games. The Farmer’s Institute held sessions at the opera house in either January or February of each year to “teach better methods of farming, stock raising, fruit culture etc. and to promote the moral, intellectual, social and material welfare of the community.” Winter Lyceum courses were also held at the opera house.

The Belle Center brass band had around 25 members. They gave a concert every Saturday night uptown and played in all the parades and special occasions. They also played at events in other towns.

Through the years Belle Center has seen many changes. While the railroad is gone, and many of the former businesses have closed, it continues to be a thriving village with a population of around 800 people.

Some information and photos from “Our Rich Land – 1844 to 1976” a bicentennial history written by Belle Center and Richland Township residents.

For more photos related to this article, visit the LCHC Facebook page.