Washington is a city located in Tazewell County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 10,841. There are currently 13,167 people living in Washington, according to a 2004 special census.
Washington is located at 40°42'14" North, 89°25'14" West (40.703877, -89.420569).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.4 km2 (7.5 mi2). 19.4 km2 (7.5 mi2) of it is land and 0.13% is water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 10,841 people, 4,189 households, and 3,091 families residing in the city. The population density is 559.6/km2 (1,450.0/mi2). There are 4,403 housing units at an average density of 227.3/km2 (588.9/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 98.36% White, 0.26% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,189 households out of which 35.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% are married couples living together, 7.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% are non-families. 22.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.02.
In the city the population is spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $52,210, and the median income for a family is $61,184. Males have a median income of $44,896 versus $26,035 for females. The per capita income for the city is $24,231. 4.1% of the population and 2.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.5% of those under the age of 18 and 3.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Washington, IL was founded in 1825 by William Holland, who was hired by the US Government to provide blacksmith services to the local Native Americans. The city was originally known as Holland's Grove before being renamed in honor the first U.S. president George Washington.
In the 1920's, a man named George Heyl put Washington on the map as the home of the famous Heyl Pony Farm. You can still see some of the original barns on North Main Street. The Heyl Pony Farm supplied Shetland ponies to buyers around the world; George Heyl also raised pure bred poultry. When George Heyl died suddenly in 1932, it was recorded as one of the largest funerals ever held in Washington.
Another local site of interest is the "old canning factory", which is now occupied by American Allied Railway Equipment Company Inc. Back in 1943, the canning factory (which after the war was run by the Libby's company) had a shortage of workers, and the government needed K rations and canned goods to feed the troops.
The solution was to bring in 50 captured German soldiers from the prisoner of war camp known as Camp Ellis in Fulton County. The Washington sub-camp was first commanded by Colonel John S. Sullivan, and later by Captain T. A. Cox.
Captain Cox at one point in the war commanded the 1613th Service Command Unit, detachment 5 guarding German POW's at the Mayo hospital in Galesburg.
The POWs were brought in on the old rail line that ran down Wood Street (the foundation of a sentry tower can be seen just northeast of the intersection of Wood and Jefferson near the entrance to the bike trail).
They were trucked from the camp to various local farms to help with the pumpkin harvest. Once a POW jumped from a truck going down South Main Street and was almost shot before the guard realized he was just trying to retrieve his hat which had blown off.
The prisoners were allowed no visitors, nor could residents speak to the prisoners. An exception was made for local ministers, such as Pastor Kammeyer from St. Mark's Lutheran who spoke fluent German and ministered to the POWs spiritual needs.
Years later when the Libby plant burned, they found a U.S. Army rifle issued to a soldier who was a guard. It was reported missing, and suspected hidden by a prisoner.
For more information about the history of Washington, see the Washington Historical Society at 105 Zinser Place, off Main Street.
Source:
WashingtonIL.com
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