Center Chain, once the cultural center of the county, was the first settlement in Martin Co. It stood on the east bank of Iowa Lake. Fairmont residents fled there for safety during the Indian scare of 1857. Its post office operated from 1858 to 1905, after which the area was served by Rural Route 3 from Fairmont. Linneus H. Hand ran a general store in connection with the post office while serving as postmaster from 1880 to 1895, and Arthur and Claudia Follett operated the store around 1910 or earlier. The hall above the store served as the community's social gathering place. A creamery built in 1894 remained in operation until 1908. The First Congregational Church was dedicated in 1900, and before that church services were held in a nearby schoolhouse.