City on the Grow Slogan

In 1963, The Washington Association of Commerce thought that the city’s old slogan “Model Little Residence City of Illinois,” first used in the 1930’s had become stale and had fallen out of use. They decided to hold a contest to find a new slogan.

The rules were simple. The slogan needed to be seven words or less and submitted by a resident of Washington. The winner of the contest would receive a $25 savings bond.

After the first publicity about the contest only three submissions were received. Another push in the local newspaper brought in around twenty more. In the end, 74 slogans were submitted by Washingtonians for the contest.

The winner of the contest with the submission “Washington – the City on the Grow” was 9-year-old Glen Calvert. Runner-up submissions were “City of Work, Worship, and Wonderful Living” by Paul Stark Jr., and “Where People Live with Pride – Washington” by Ed Oehler.

“City on the Grow” remained Washington’s slogan into the 1970’s but its use faded. In 1981, Washington shifted gears to a new slogan: “Try Washington First.”