George Ross Library

The George Ross Library is located on the second floor of the Centralia Area Historical Museum inside the historic Kohl & Meyer Building. With three floors of museum displays and elevator access throughout, the library offers a welcoming space for students, family historians, researchers, and anyone interested in the stories that shaped Centralia and the surrounding area.

Printed Resources Available

  • City history books for Centralia and many surrounding communities
  • County history books for Marion, Clinton, and Washington Counties
  • Marion County cemetery books
  • Centralia City Directories from 1894 to present
  • Footprints in Marion County with index
  • George Ross newspaper articles and gleanings
  • Marion County census books
  • Centralia High School and other local school yearbooks
  • Historical preservation information

Digital Resources Available

  • Photographs and historical image collections
  • Newspaper articles, business ads, and gleanings from local newspapers
  • Centralia City Directories
  • Lists of Centralia High School graduates
  • Elmwood Cemetery records
  • Family tree files
  • Special collections and local history archives
  • Beginner-friendly genealogy tools and research assistance
  • Information on old businesses, schools, homes, buildings, and organizations

Research reports at your fingertips

One of the library’s most valuable resources is its growing collection of digital research reports. Visitors can explore reports covering surnames, businesses, homes, buildings, churches, schools, and organizations, with information compiled from multiple sources into one convenient place.

Computer Access & Research Tools

Computers are available in the library for visitors to search the museum’s expanding digital databases. These tools are designed to be user friendly and make it easier to explore photographs, city directories, cemetery records, family history files, and other local history resources.

What’s included in the research reports?

The library currently offers more than 20,000 digital research reports available to the public on-site. These reports may include photographs, newspaper articles, census records, city directories, early land purchases, births, marriages, deaths, burials, biographies, and obituaries, all gathered together to save researchers valuable time.

Popular Topics

  • Surnames and family history
  • Old businesses and organizations
  • Historic homes and buildings
  • Churches and schools
  • Community photographs and clippings

Special Collections

  • John Shaw Walnut Hill Collection with area history and genealogy research
  • Phil Venezia Sports Collection featuring local sports articles, charts, photos, and Hall of Fame information
  • Illinois Central Railroad Collection with blueprints, employee information, and freight train diagrams
  • Plus many other unique local history collections
A great place to start your research: Whether you are tracing family roots, studying local schools and churches, researching a home or business, or simply exploring Centralia’s past, the George Ross Library offers an incredible collection of resources in one place.
An office meeting room with a wooden table and four chairs. Behind the table, there are shelves and filing cabinets filled with books, files, and office supplies. A ceiling fan is visible above.

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