Construction is underway on the historic Centerville square at 209 N. 13th Street, where the Morgan E. Cline Foundation is creating new office and meeting space. The project is part of the foundation’s effort and Morgan Cline’s long-standing legacy of supporting local historic preservation and a strong and active downtown historic district.
“This building has always been part of the story of the square,” Alison Fraser, CEO of the Morgan E. Cline Foundation, said. “Our goal is to take good care of it and make sure it continues to serve the community well into the future.”
The ground floor is being renovated and restored to better match its original historic appearance. Once completed, it will become the new home of the Morgan E. Cline Foundation. Moving the foundation offices will free up much-needed space inside The Continental Hotel, allowing the hotel to better serve guests.
“This move helps both the foundation and the hotel, which is run by the foundation as part of its programming,” Fraser said. “The hotel needs room to operate, and the foundation needs a space designed for its work.”
A Close Connection to The Continental Hotel
While construction is focused on the ground floor, the second floor of the building is already part of The Continental Hotel. That connection dates to 1996, when Morgan Cline restored the hotel.
At that time, updated fire safety codes required a new fire escape for the hotel’s south wing, which extends over the Owl Pharmacy. To solve the problem, Cline purchased the neighboring building—209 N. 13th—and added the fire escape through the rear.
During that renovation, the second floor of 209 N. 13th was converted into two large hotel suites, accessible from inside The Continental Hotel. Meanwhile, the ground floor was rented out to retail businesses.
The Continental Hotel is known across the region for its high-quality restoration, historic charm, and welcoming atmosphere. It remains a key part of downtown Centerville’s identity.
A Building With a Long Story
The building at 209 N. 13th Street has a long and interesting past. Along with the neighboring building, now home to Diane Van Dyk Co’s plant store and café, it once housed The Iowegian newspaper. An engraved stone near the roof, which is visible from the sidewalk below, still reads “Iowegian 1896,” reminding passersby of its role in local journalism.
“This building helped tell Centerville’s story more than a hundred years ago,” Fraser said. “It feels right that it continues to play an important role today.”
Later, the space became a Montgomery Ward Catalog Office, where customers could browse items, place orders, and pick up packages. In many ways, it was an early version of modern shopping.
“In today’s times off #TemuFails and porch pirates, such a store seems ahead of its time,” Fraser quipped.
In more recent years, the building was home to local salons Le’Clipper and Twisted Scissors/Lacy’s Closet.
Why the Work Is Needed
After more than a century of use, the ground floor needed major structural repairs. Floors had become uneven, and once construction began, crews discovered why.
“We found layers and layers of old flooring,” Fraser explained. “In some places, there were seven different layers of flooring stacked on top of each other to try to even out places where the structure below had sunk..”
Support posts had shifted over time, and temporary fixes had added up. To solve the problem properly, workers designed and installed a new foundation and floor system.
“This isn’t a quick patch,” Fraser said. “It’s a long-term fix that will protect the building for decades.”
Investing in the Future
The project is being managed by Christner Contracting (CCI), a southern Iowa company experienced in historic renovations. The entire project is funded by the Morgan E. Cline Foundation, which identifies historic preservation and redevelopment as one of its four major areas of focus.
“This is about investing in Centerville,” Fraser said. “Preserving historic buildings helps keep our downtown alive, interesting, and full of character.”
When construction is complete, the foundation will have a permanent home, and The Continental Hotel will gain valuable space to continue operating at a high level.
“We see this as taking care of the past while planning for the future,” Fraser added. “That balance is what keeps a community strong.”