103 Hillcrest Drive

The nondescript apartment building at 103 Hillcrest Drive had an interesting beginning.  Built in 1960 by Robert Hett, it was known as the Hett Building at the time.

During the 1960s, the lower three apartments served as two business locations, and during this commercial period it went by the moniker "Crest Building."

The first occupant of one of the commercial locations was Dr. Herbert Hostetler, who moved in as construction was being completed.  Hostetler had just moved to Washington, right down the street from his office.  He was 26 at the time.

Schilling Wallpaper and Paint opened soon after in the other office.  They also sold blinds, shades, and floor finishes, and the business was more of a general home improvement store than its name implied.  The business lasted until 1962, when it closed.

Both of these businesses opened in late 1960.

At the beginning of 1963, the hardware store was briefly replaced by the Hillcrest Beauty Salon, run by Billie Wiese and Jean Schmitt.  For the Memorial Day dedication of the brand-new fountain on the square, the salon invented the "fountain" hairstyle, described at the time as "a tuft of hair forward of the crown of the head which has a spray effect.  It is held in place by wire stems forming a wreath at the base."

The gimmick didn't help the salon's business, and within a year, Eddie's Barber Shop replaced it.  "Eddie" was Ed Bartley, and his shop opened on June 29, 1963.

The barbershop lasted about two years before Studio Royal replaced it, a photography studio owned by local legend Tiny Hays (read more about him at the link).  Studio Royal had previously been on the square and had been run by Harold Kannarr and later Lanny Hirstein.  Hays advertised well and was quite a showman, but the business didn't last more than a year off the square.  Studio Royal was a satellite location for Don's Pet Shop on Ten Mile Creek Road in Germantown Hills, so it had animals, including an alligator and talking birds. 

By the end of 1965, Dr. Daniel Parr had opened a general practice in the building.  Within a few months, Parr had moved on to Tremont and later to Pekin.  Parr passed away in January 2025.

In October 1967, Dr. Hostetler was to report for a two-year stint in the military.  That was going to leave Dr. Morrette as the only doctor in Washington.  Dr. Peter Couri and Dr. Larry Harman replaced Hostetler, opening a satellite office of their main OB-GYN practice in Peoria.

In 1968, Dr. Gregorio Mori began working part-time as a general practitioner in the OB office.  In 1969, he moved to his own office up by Plaza Lanes, where he practiced until 1976.

And with the end of the 1960s, the commercial history of 103 Hillcrest Drive seems to have faded.