1916
The calls were loud and frequent for the construction of a paved road to be built from Washington to Peoria, and after a visit by state officials work started later in the year.
Wash Wagner rented the “Witte Building”, now part of the address 109 Washington Square, and would open the Lyric Café.
Henry Wepner purchased the Moyer Bakery on South Main Street, later the location of Paul’s Market for many years and now part of Parish’s Pub.
A small tornado hit town in the middle of the night, concentrating the minor damage to the area near the railroad depot on Wood Street.
Ora Clemons purchased the building at 117 Washington Square, now Holland’s Mercantile, and opened up his barber shop.
A measles epidemic hit Washington, requiring mandatory 14 day quarantines for the infected.
A travelling outdoor roller skating rink was erected at Sullivan Field for the summer.
Washington’s “Good Roads” spokespersons lobby for the town to be included on two major road paths being discussed, the Burlington Way and the Streator Way. These road paths would later become our major route system.
The school board wondered where the basketball team was going to play their games, as there was not a sufficient gymnasium in the town.