Morgan began rejuvenating Centerville when he bought one of the most historic and lovely homes in town – that of Edwyna Payton Fenton. Ms. Fenton had lived in the home for most of her long life, and when she passed, Morgan gave the home new life, where it might otherwise have been demolished. 

Morgan’s next project would prove to be more of a challenge – the historic Continental Hotel on the Centerville Square.  It has a very rich history, having been the lodging for many famous (and infamous) individuals including Booker T. Washington, Carrie Nation, and Jesse James, just to name a few. In 1962, when a bomb exploded on Continental Flight 11, which was the first terrorist act on a commercial jetliner in history, it happened over Appanoose County. The world media agencies converged upon the Continental Hotel in Centerville, Iowa to hold their press conferences. The Continental Hotel was a huge part of Centerville’s history, but in the 1990's it was nearing collapse. There were broken windows and holes in the roof – animals were living in the building. Morgan stepped in and saved this most significant piece of Appanoose County history and it is now an upscale dining establishment downstairs and well-elderly living area upstairs.

The most elaborate of all restorations that Morgan has bestowed upon Centerville is that of the Bradley Mansion.  It is, without a doubt, the grandest, most elegant home that has ever been built in Centerville’s history.  Built in 1909, the home is filled with leaded and stained glass, mosaic tile and inlaid hardwood floors, beamed ceilings, cedar-lined closets, four fireplaces, a grand staircase, and every luxury that exuded wealth in the early 1900’s.  In 1921, this house was featured in Country Homes magazine. As time marched on, this building changed hands many times, becoming a nursing home, classrooms for college and elementary students, and finally, administrative offices for the school system, but during that time, paneling and fluorescent lights had been hiding the true beauty of the building. The school system sold the building to Morgan Cline, who completely restored it to its original beauty, and he also helped fund the construction of a new administration building for the Centerville School System. Now known as Bradley Hall, this mansion is one of the most beautiful and historic destinations to see in Centerville. It offers upscale gifts and antiques to its patrons.

The Ritz Theatre on the northeast corner of the Centerville Square had been a popular place to families and teenagers to take in a movie when Morgan was growing up.  But, with it’s wonderful stucco relief façade covered by metal sheeting during the 1960’s and the building turned into a pharmacy for several years, it lost much of it’s luster and had become an eyesore.  Morgan decided to buy the building and give it as a gift to the Appanoose County Coalition for the Arts to renovate and use for community theatre and showing of old films.  This process is ongoing, and will be another cultural offering for Centerville once it is completed.

Not too many years ago, neighborhood gas stations and markets were sprinkled generously throughout every town, where you could find one or the other on almost every block.  Things have changed dramatically in the past few years, and nearly all of those tiny establishments have disappeared.  But not the State Street Station.  Morgan bought this little station and gifted it to the Historic Preservation Corporation, and they have restored it and hold monthly ‘drive-thru’ dinners as a fund-raiser for their organization.

The Columns, a Galleria of the Special and Unique, was formerly the stately home of A.E. Wooden, built in 1895. This building had also had many incarnations over the years as a nursing home and dormitories for college students, and as a craft shop. But over time, the grandeur had been lost. When Morgan stepped in, its beauty was rediscovered, and now The Columns is a wonderful shop offering unique gifts, artwork by local artists, and antiques, jewelry and decorative items.

As new businesses came into Centerville, they have tended to be located in new buildings off of the Square. Additionally, the buildings on the Square are sometimes smaller and as they get older, become more costly to maintain. This has caused several vacant buildings to appear on the Centerville Square.  In an effort to repopulate the Square with businesses and people, Morgan Cline, in conjunction with Bill Burch and Ben D'Onofrio have purchased several buildings, and renewed their purpose. On the west side of the Square, Morgan purchased the old Spurgeons building, and restored it to two business spaces again.  “Your Square Deal Maytag” store occupies one and a jewelry store occupies the other. The upstairs to these buildings have been turned into upscale loft apartments.  The same can be said for the former Penny’s building on the south side of the Square. And on the east side of the Square, many upstairs office spaces have been renovated and are being used by lawyers, consultants, and designers.
 
Centerville’s first assisted living complex was another of Morgan’s visions. This 57,000 square foot facility offers 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments for residents who need a certain level of care, but with more independence than a nursing home offers. This facility is one of the finest of its kind in all of southern Iowa.

Another very historic dwelling that Morgan has saved and repurposed is just down the block from Bradley Hall. Built by Governor Drake for his daughter for "$1 with Love and Affection", this mansion is rich in history and luxury. It has been home to many affluent and influential residents of our county throughout the years, and is now known as "A Catered Affair at the Beck Mansion", a luxurious place to host parties, weddings and other grand affairs.

Then there is The Continental Mews - Once a mixed use apartment and commercial buisiness building near The Continental, it is now a seven apartment residential dwelling with attached garages.

Morgan has also invested in the HyVee building, on the west side of the Centerville Square. This historic building is the location of the first HyVee Supermarket, managed by Vredenberg himself. This location is where shopping carts were first introduced. Now restored, it is being used as commercial on the lower level, and residential above.

When J.C. Penny decided to discontinue operations in Centerville, Morgan Cline purchased the building and restored it for use as a commercial property on the lower level and residential apartments on the second floor.

The Elegant Edges Building, on the north side of the Centerville Square. It is currently undergoing renovations of the upper stories to create apartment space for potentially 3 to 4 apartments.