February 15, 2011 > Centerville book highlights local history Centerville book highlights local history Submitted By Timothy Swenson The southeast shores of San Francisco Bay have played an important role as the Bay Area landscape has revealed artifacts of paleontological interest, archeology remains and information collected from more recent residents. Historical collections of past generations are critical to understanding and appreciating the present and developing a future course of action. Historical societies and those active within them recognize the crucial role of remembering and preserving information left to us by previous generations. Noted local historians Phil Holmes and Jill Singleton have recently completed their latest book, Centerville, Fremont, part of the Images of America series from Arcadia Publishing. The authors have previously written two other books for the series entitled, Niles, Fremont and Irvington, Fremont. The new book covers the town and emerging Centerville district of what is now part of the City of Fremont from the 1850's until today. With over 200 historic photographs, it shows the town in horse and buggy days on the main road to the landings in what is now called Union City where local produce was shipped to San Francisco. In the early automobile days, Centerville was on the main highway between Oakland and San Jose. As its name suggests, Centerville was the center of activity for Washington Township which eventually became the Tri-Cities of Fremont, Newark and Union City. Three talks and book signings by Phil Holmes are scheduled: Saturday, February 19 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Centerville Train Depot 37260 Fremont Blvd., Fremont Saturday, March 5 10 a.m. - 12 noon Fremont Main Library 2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont Monday, March 28 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Museum of Local History 190 Anza St., Fremont www.museumoflocalhistory.org