Some places have history both inside and out. Central City is one such place. The buildings bear the edifices of turn-of-the-century architecture, and a step inside them will show a more varied history, represented by a vast array of antiques.
Old Central City was called such when it was incorporated in 1893, because it was centrally located between Guyandotte, West Virginia and Catlettsburg, Kentucky. Originally comprised of farmland, Central City soon became a manufacturing town. During this time, its population blossomed to a population of 2,500 people.
Today, Central City, although designated as its own town, has been annexed by Huntington. But even though the tiny city may have lost its independence, it has retained its charm and unique identity.
You can buy furniture, household decorations, books, old typewriters, lamps, comic books, toys - really any variety of items you can imagine. Each shop is well packed with items and may take a while to browse - at least a half hour, depending on how you shop. Thirty minutes times 11 shops may take up some time, so plan accordingly.
Or it you're looking for some lighter fare, the Central City Cafe will provide a nice variety of dishes to try. Alternatively, a short walk will lead you to Gino's Pizza, Tudor's Biscuit World, Pizza Hut, Captain D's and West Tenampa Mexican Restaurant. Central City is also home to The Wild Ramp, a large market stocked with locally grown foods - including fruits and vegetables. They even have a coffee counter inside.