With the capitol complex in the east and Central City State University in the west, Midtown contains two of the city’s largest draws. No matter the state of Central City, young people migrate there to attend the university, and representatives, lobbyists, and anyone with political interests travel to the capitol to conduct business and gain influence. If Downtown is the center of the city, Midtown is the center of the region.
Midtown
Established 1830
History of Midtown
1837-1840
1837-1840 Homesteaders filed for plots of land between Walleye’s and Fort Meeker in what is today Midtown. Many of the settlers were former trappers or military families connected to the fort, and they cobbled together livelihoods from farming, trade, or services rendered to the army.1819-1852: Civilization vs Nature1846
The area surrounding Fort Meeker grew into a small village. Two saloons, a hotel, post-office, land-grant office, and general store rose around the crossroads that would become the intersection of Capitol Street and Stearns Avenue.1819-1852: Civilization vs Nature1853
The most prestigious residents of the growing center of civilization established a council and officially incorporated Central City. The original boundaries remained north of the Shaktenasen River and included the neighborhoods of Midtown, Uptown, and Downtown. 1852-1894: Competing Forms of Civilization - Government, Business, and Industry1872
Dale Fisk, the son of a foreman for the Boa Mining Company, borrowed money to found Central City Steel Works on the southern edge of Midtown. 1852-1894: Competing Forms of Civilization - Government, Business, and Industry1890
A land grant allowed for the establishment of Central City College of Agriculture. In 1892, a generous donation by Dale Fisk established Central City School of Mines and Metalwork. The two colleges combined in 1899 to become Central City State University. 1852-1894: Competing Forms of Civilization - Government, Business, and Industry1894
Although the city’s population grew rapidly, the city limits remained limited to what is now the southern half of Uptown and all of Midtown and Downtown. The city council, however, had its sights set on expansion.1894-1950 Development of Standards, Tradition, and ExpectationLandmarks
Central City State University
The Chateau
Capitol Hill and Capitol Complex