William Holland Memorial Plaque

In 1926, motivated by the insistent requests of resident Emma J. Scott, the city and township of Washington decided to come together and purchase a bronze tablet of the city’s founder, William Holland. The people of Washington were only one year removed from their Centennial celebration, and a brand-new bandstand was constructed in the center of the Square.  The tablet was to be set into the side of the brick bandstand.  The city and township split the $140 cost for the tablet, which would be over $2,100 in today's money.

The tablet was designed and made by Charles Overall, a well-known artist and sculptor from Peoria.  Schools were let out for the dedication in 1926, and most businesses closed.

The tablet resided on the side of the brick bandstand for 33 years until 1959, when it was demolished. At that time, the city stored the Holland piece until the proper time and format for its display were determined.

That time came sixteen years later, in 1975, when the city constructed a mini-bell tower in front of the City Hall on Jefferson Street. The bell for the tower was also historic, as it hung above the south side of the Square for many years and was used as a curfew bell in the old days as well as to summon volunteer firemen. The bell tower was dedicated on July 5, 1975, in front of City Hall.

This monument lasted for thirty-six years.  In 2011, City Hall moved to its current location on Walnut Street, and the monument was dismantled so that a sign for the police station could be put in its place.

A few months later, in the summer of 2012, a new bell monument was constructed and dedicated on Washington Square. This monument included the Holland tablet, the Sesquicentennial tablet, and the tablets of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Ronald Reagan. This tower was dedicated on June 24, 2012, and it is where the tablet remains today.