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.”

The Morgan E. Cline Foundation recently completed the final payment for their $1 million grant to Indian Hills Community College for construction of the new Centerville campus.

Cline board members met at the college with IHCC President, Matt Thompson, Joni Kelley, Executive Dean of Centerville Campus and Executive Dean of Advancement Bianca Myers to make the presentation in front of the wing named in honor of Morgan Cline.

The gift represents the foundation’s first major multi-year grant into one of our community’s most important assets that will have a lasting impact for many years to come.

Matt Thompson, President of IHCC said, "We are extremely grateful to the Morgan E. Cline Foundation for their generous $1 Million gift to the Irma W. Winslow Education Center on the Indian Hills Centerville Campus.  Their early investment in the project inspired community confidence that played a vital role in the passage of the $28 Million bond referendum and helped launch a capitol campaign that raised an additional $14 Million in private and public support.  This gift is a lasting investment in our students, our workforce, and the future of Southern Iowa."

With the completion of this pledge fulfilled, Alison Fraser, Executive Director of the Cline Foundation said that grant applications to non-profits will be accepted during the normal grant cycle starting in August  2026.

The Morgan Cline Charitable Foundation recently presented a grant of $80,000 to the Rathbun Lake Area YMCA for the construction of a new addition. The funds are being used specifically to increase the square footage of the new exercise and weight room. Several trustees of the foundation and their executive Alison Fraser met with members of the YMCA Board and staff to make the presentation.

Sarah Lind, YMCA Board Vice Chairperson said the generosity of the Morgan Cline Foundation helps make it possible for the Y to expand in a way that will serve generations to come. “This project is more than a renovation, it’s a commitment to the health, growth, and vitality of southern Iowa. We are grateful for their partnership and the positive impact it will have on the community,” she added.

The Cline Foundation considers the YMCA to be an integral part of the community and understands it is one local non-profit that does not have a permanent funding source relying on private donations and membership to stay in operations. The ongoing maintenance and equipment needs of a recreation center with an indoor pool is expensive. The Cline Foundation understands the needs for maintaining a quality facility and over the years previously awarded multiple grants to the Y totaling $150,000 to replace the boiler, replace the hot tub and replace dehumidification and HVAC systems in the pool area.

Bill Buss, Chairperson of the Cline Foundation who has also been involved with economic development in Appanoose County for many years, considers the YMCA to be an important asset in the community for both current and new residents. “The YMCA is one of the first places, prospective companies want to see when they come to town because it is an attractive draw and adds to the quality of life for their employees and families. It definitely factors into their decision of whether to relocate here and gives us a big edge over other communities our size, not to mention the value it already has for our community’s youth, adults and families,” he said.

The Morgan E. Cline Foundation was established by Morgan Cline and funded by the remainder of his estate to perpetuate his charitable philanthropy through grant making to eligible Appanoose County non-profit organizations. The foundation is a private 501 c 3 nonprofit corporation. Since its inception in 2017, it’s invested $5.5 million in grants and donations, historic preservation and business operations in Centerville and Appanoose County. The foundation also operates The Continental Hotel and Lucile’s Restaurant as part of its mission which would not be possible without the foundations substantial investment in this invaluable cornerstone of Centerville’s historic square district.