Washington Historical Society

Progress Update We just reached $210,184! In 2019, Marc started a new funding committee. In 2020, he encouraged us to start a capital campaign. As we continue this work, we are thinking about Marc's vision for our museum. If you wish to learn more and to donate, please go to this link:... https://www.washmohistorical.org/campaign-2021/ See more

Thrivent recently donated $2,000 to our "Keeping History Alive" campaign through its Choice Dollars Grant Funds. We are grateful for the donation.

Here is a fun bonus photo from our "Then and Now" for our series.

Today we have Otto Steinhaus posing for a baseball team portrait!

A lady and her chickens... A typical old photo usually has everyone camera ready and posed for the shot. But, every once in awhile you come across a photo that shows you a little glimpse into their every day life like this lady and her chickens.

St. Johns Church Mantles Church off Highway A, 3 miles north of Union Missouri 1909.

Did you know that Franz Schwarzer was labeled as a little bit eccentric? He kept beautiful exotic plants and gardens right here in Washington. He also kept many exotic animals such as birds and monkeys. He was much more than just an amazing woodworker. Here is a photo of his pet alligator!

Lucinda Owens House with screened-in porch.

When you see this photo, what company comes to mind? Frank Nouss Collection

These houses look similar to ones on Eighth Street. Perhaps you may know where they are. Do you think the people who built these also built some of those on Eighth Street?

Today we will have a guessing game. What intersection is this? Many wrote Fifth and Madison. Did you know this street once had another name?... From the Frank Nouss collection.

PN Hirsch store at the corner of Main and Oak. Built in the mid-1950s.

This "City Bus" was driven by Bert Simms. It has advertising for ice cream and the Calvin on the side. Its stop is on Main Street, possibly in front of Droege's.

Later years, rebuilt of ronsick field. Around 1979.. Story,,,ronsick field was rebuilt around this time with help from union electric, and allot of its lineman,... plus many other volunteers. Back in the day, there was no bucket trucks,and allot of pole climbing was done by local 2. Lineman, and union electric lineman. Standing left to right Bernie Schroepfer, dick Pisani, Monty Haddox, Joe Cooper, hoit Marquart,Warren Mclure, Bob Henderson, Bill Connor, Jim Dago Maniaci, John Desmond, Roger Stodick, George Miller, buckshot waldie, Gary Bauer, Tweety Struberg, Bob Stuesse, Mike Pollock, Tom buhr, ? , Rich Ottomeyer, John Buesse,,, Kneeling left to right Carl Eckelkamp, Charlie Eckelkamp, Paul Zoellner, Ronnie Ashworth, Dale Boschert, Fred Haddox, Charlie Mcdonald, John Piontek, Sylvester Boland, :-smiley Holtmeyer, Charlie Mounts, Jim pollock, John Mcglophlin, Dave Wilson, Bill Car, Tony Maune, ? ( the names of this picture was with the help from bill connors,. Sorry ahead for any mis spellings)

Please disregard the numbers on some Frank Nouss photos. They meant something to him, but we have no idea what they designate.

1955 lighting up ronsick field This was the very first time ronsick field was lighted up,, buddy koppleman in this picture is shown throwing in the switch. Note..., buddy was electrocuted while working at union electric , and the flag pole in ronsick field has his name on it. Back row left to right John McLaughlin, Paul Zoellner, buddy Koppelman, Oscar zygan , Hoit Marquart Bob Stuesse, Bill Connor, John Piontek. Sitting Fred Haddox Ralph Holtmeyer Thanks again to bill connor for helping me with this,,,dates should be close and apologize for any misspellings.

This fire station was once on Oak Street, behind the Bank of Washington. It was built in 1906 and demolished sometime in the 1970s for the bank parking lot.

The Washington Flour Mill was located on Front Street where today there is a parking lot. You can see the old grain bins left behind in the lot. This building burned in 1965. When this photo was taken, it was a grocery distributorship operated by Cy Young.

Here's the old Jasper Hotel/Tavern at Fifth and Elm streets.

Here's Jack Droege with another winner in conjunction with a Chase & Sanborn Coffee promotion. It's unclear what she won. Note the Sealtest ice cream. It was once a popular brand.

Jack Droege is pictured with a winner of a coat, hat, purse and gloves through a Carnation Milk promotion. If you look closely, you will see a George Burns and Gracie Allen poster for Carnation. Hanging above the winner is a poster that states "Get Howdy Doody's favorite Wonder Bread."

Freddy Kruel is pictured in the center with store employees. Kruel's was a "Dime Store" or a "Five and Dime" on Main Street for many years.

Bocklage's window.

At one time, Downtown Washington must have had a bad trash problem!

Halloween past!

Message from Marc regarding silent auction and our raffle: As you know, we have not been able to hold our "Evening at the Museum" programs since March. We hope to resume them next year. The museum has not been able to hold its regular fund raising events this year either. Today, however, we're selling $5,000 raffle tickets!... Drop by the museum this afternoon from 1-5 p.m. and purchase a raffle ticket and/or check out our silent auction! We're selling some very collectible antique books, a fabulous antique quilt, vintage toys, games, sports cards, glassware, the neatest oak medicine cabinet you've ever seen, art, handmade items, trinkets and yes, even some real junk! The silent auction ends at 5 p.m. but you need not be present at that time; we will contact you if you've won the bidding. Come drop in on us and share this with all your friends. We could use your support! Thanks, Marc PS: If you can't make it to the museum this afternoon, you can purchase a raffle ticket here: https://www.washmohistorical.org/raffle-tickets/