1846
Construction of the brick mill continued into 1846 with interior work being the focus. Exterior walls were completed with 16-inch solid brick, the bricks made by Asa Danforth near the site. Wood for the interior construction came from Chicago as several Washingtonians were contracted to lead oxen teams to make the trip. Team drivers took wheat up to Chicago to sell, and returned with pine lumber. A round trip would take almost two weeks.
A special census was taken in Tazewell County in 1846, with Washington Township tallying 1,987 residents.