After 80+ years of citizens clamoring for parks and an organized park district, In 1967, the voters approved the formation of such a group, and the Washington Park District was born.

1967 saw the most serious attempts by IDOT to remove the square for traffic purposes.

Fred & John Sweitzer donated land to the City to be used as a public park.  When our park district was formed the City donated the land to them and it became Sweitzer Park.

In 1967 the Roehm Shoe Store building was razed at the corner of Washington Square and South Main Street.  The 100+ year old building has never been replaced.

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