1967

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 as a public park.  When our park district was formed, the City donated the land to them, and it became Sweitzer Park.

James McDaniel, John Blumenshine, and Ed Habecker Sr. were the 1967 recipients of the Washingtonian Award.

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

Back to 1966 --- On to 1968