Roehm Shoe Store

A conspicuous open lot graces Washington Square, recently adorned with a beautiful mural honoring the city's past bandstands. 100 Washington Square, the address of the lot, used to be home to one of the first frame buildings in Washington and one of the longest-enduring businesses in the town's history, the Roehm Shoe Store.

William F. Roehm emigrated to this country from Germany in 1847, originally settling in Detroit with his family.  He came to Peoria in 1855 and then to Washington in 1865. 

His first venture in Washington was a shoe store on South Main Street called Fletemeyer & Roehm, which only lasted a year or so before Roehm bought out his partner. Soon after that, he moved to the building at 100 Washington Square.

In the early days, the upper level of the building was used by different photographers as a studio for those beautiful old-time cardboard photos from years ago.

William ran the store by himself until his son, Julius Roehm, came aboard in 1891.

Julius took over the business outright in 1908 and ran it until he died in 1961.  His son Robert took over the business, and in 1964, plans were made to either completely remodel or rebuild the building, which, at 99 years old, was badly in need of serious help.  In the end, neither occurred and in 1967, the building at 100 Washington Square was torn down.  The lot remains vacant today, serving as a de facto memorial to the old Washington landmark.