1980
With an increase in annexations and development, Washington's population in the 1980 U.S. Census ballooned to 10,364 residents.
Oak Ridge Park opened in the spring/summer of 1980 at the far north end of Cummings Lane.
The Washington Historical Society is created as a result of an effort to save the Round Barn.
A new gymnasium was built at Central Grade School.
In the summer of 1980 the cinder track was replaced with an all-weather track at WCHS, leading to an 18-year run as the host of the IESA state track meet.
Washington almost had an alcohol-distilling plant in 1980. The city and potential company had begun the initial process of bond application but there were concerns about the environmental impact of the plant so nothing ever materialized.
Nikki Herbst becomes the first WCHS tennis player to qualify for the IHSA state meet.
The first of many watering holes opened in the basement of 101 Washington Square when Mike McSweeney opened McSweeney's Pub.
1980 saw arguably the worst flooding of Farm Creek that the town has ever seen.
