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 there was also a brand-new bandstand constructed in the center of the Square. The tablet was to be set into the side of the brick bandstand. The city and township basically split the $140 cost for the tablet, which in today’s money would be over $2,100.

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

The tablet resided in the side of the brick bandstand for 33 years until 1959 when the bandstand was demolished. At that time, the Holland piece was put into storage by the city until the proper time and format for its display.

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 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 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 which included the Holland tablet, as well as the Sesquicentennial tablet and also tablets of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Ronald Reagan. This tower was dedicated June 24, 2012, and it is where the tablet remains today.