Washington in Tazewell County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Town & Country Gardeners Recognition

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, July 24, 2026

1. Town & Country Gardeners Recognition Marker Front

Inscription.
In recognition of The Town & Country Gardeners of Washington, est. 1958, who saved this Square from removal by the State of Illinois in 1967 and preserved this green space so significant to Washington

Erected 2018.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1967.

Location. 40° 42.211′ N, 89° 24.393′ W. Marker is in Washington, Illinois, in Tazewell County. It is at the intersection of Washington Square (Business U.S. 24) and North Main Street, in the median on Washington Square. Marker is located within Washington Square close to the north entrance. It faces west towards the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 Washington Square, Washington IL 61571, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Illinois River Valley

and in Greater Peoria.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds

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itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Civil War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Washington's Bell / Bandstand (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor of William Holland (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Ronald Reagan (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln in Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.

Also see . . . Washington Rewind Article - The Removing of the Square. See this local article written by the Washington Historical Society detailing the several different attempts to remove the town square from 1932 to 1972. Excerpt: "Washington enjoys a beautiful town square, a focal point of city activity and community pride. From a transportation point of

Town & Country Gardeners Recognition Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, July 24, 2026

2. Town & Country Gardeners Recognition Marker

view, however, it is inconvenient. From this point of view, it can be called dangerous, confusing, and inefficient. However, the square is a defining characteristic of Washington, and we will not give it up without a fight. Over the years, there have been many attempts to eliminate the square in favor of a straight-line road running east-west through the area, and each time, this proposal was met with opposition." (Submitted on July 27, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois.)

Town & Country Gardeners Recognition Marker Fountain View image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, July 24, 2026

3. Town & Country Gardeners Recognition Marker Fountain View

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 25, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.