1858
Almon Danforth opened the A.G. Danforth & Co. Bank in 1858 at its original location at the corner of Main St. and what is now Zinser Place. The bank would bounce around the square a little bit, but would maintain the Danforth name until 1960, over 100 years.
In May, 1858 a destructive tornado passed through Washington.
In July 1858, the Washington Seminary was completed.
Abraham Lincoln was scheduled to speak in Metamora on Monday October 4, 1858. He arrived in Washington that morning…
Previous arrangements having been made, the people assembled at an early hour in the morning, circled around the square, and were actively engaged in adjusting flags, banners and mottoes, preparatory to their exodus from town. It will be understood that Hon. A. Lincoln was advertised to speak at Metamora on the above day, and that he was expected to arrive from the south by the Central railroad, and, being landed at Eureka, proceed thence to Metamora. But while the procession was forming here, Mr. Lincoln arrived on the 9 o’clock freight train from Peoria, accompanied by Hon. Wm. Kellogg and others, and found no one at the depot to conduct him into town, but in his attempt to pilot his own way was met by Mr. J. N. Harlan, who kindly assisted him in carrying his valise. Mr. Lincoln took the whole assembly by surprise when he appeared in front of the square. He was introduced and shook hands with a number of individuals, among which was a delegation of about a dozen ladies occupying a single wagon in the procession. No formal reception was extended to him, publicly, by his friends.
A carriage was soon prepared for his conveyance to Metamora. While this was being done, the teams formed into line and drove east and then south down High Street, and came round into Main street; forming a procession reaching from Capt. Danforth’s house to the north side of the square. Thus formed, at a given signal the long train moved from town at about the same hour named in the description for last Thursday. The number of teams are variously put from 49 to 52; and the number of persons, as counted, ranged from 289 to 300…Mr. Lincoln returned here on Monday evening. Preparations were hastily made and a respectable crowd listened to speeches from Mr. Parks, Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Kellogg and Maj. Cullom. At a late hour the assembly broke up and retired; Mr. Lincoln and his associates left for Peoria on the 5 o’clock train Tuesday morning. Thus ends the visits of the great men of Illinois at Washington. (Washington Investigator October 7, 1858)
Washington Investigator, Washington, IL, July 15, 1858:
NOT DEAD YET.—Amid the general ennui that prevails there still exists here and there some signs of activity. The glittering surfaces of new buildings; the removal of dilapidated portions of old ones and supplying of new, the erection of fences inclosing grounds heretofore commonage, are among the present stirring appearances of our town. If it continues during the reign of hot weather, we may look for a more extended exhibition of progress when cool days return, and the active trade of Autumn revives.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.—The roads entering town from the north, south and west, are undergoing repairs, which puts them in a condition more travelable than they have been for some time. The bridge at the north of town is nearly completed, and is a substantial structure. That on the south is completed, and is sufficiently high to not be damaged by freshets. The slough at the east of town needs bridging very much, and we hope our efficient street commissioner, or whosesoever duty it is will attend to this matter. Above all things the roads in the immediate vicinity of town should be, at all times, easy of passage.
OAKLAND ADDITION.—Considerable improvement is going forward in this part of the town. New houses erected and being built give it quite an air of stir and life. Those wishing a fine suburban seat can here find that wish gratified. Only six minutes walk from the Public Square, and you find yourself surrounded with the luxuries of seclusion, shady glens and purling rills, and high enough to overlook the town. Mr. J. Sickler has the materials on the ground for a family mansion, which he intends soon to occupy.