Around our City Washington, Kansas

Antiques
Churches
Convenience Stores
Genealogy
Historical Information
Lodging
Maps
Points of Interest
Realtors
Restaurants
RV Parking
Service Centers

Washington, Kansas . . . a small town that has it all! Located in North Central Kansas at the junction of U.S. 36 and K-15, Washington is a friendly, caring community that is proud of its infrastructure and invites you to spend a day with us. Our school system is of excellent quality with a comprehensive curriculum. The students of Washington County High School consistently rank high in Class 2A scholarship tests administered at the school. The school facilities include a K-3 school (completed in the fall of 2000), 4-6 building, 7-12 building (addition added in the fall of 2000), technology building, FFA building with greenhouse, bus barn, two full size gymnasiums, football field, an updated track and stadium, softball diamond and a practice field. Computers and internet access are evident in every classroom beginning with kindergarten. Education has become a partnership for the student, staff, parent, and patron in the Washington County Schools.  The quality of life is very pleasant in the splendor of the Midwest where we enjoy the beauty of all four seasons, with no pollution, no stop lights, a low crime rate, and hard-working, caring people. Recreation is a priority in Washington. A spacious park provides a picnic area, play area, fairgrounds, rodeo arena, swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, sand volleyball court, two softball diamonds, small car race track, and RV parking with hook-ups. In addition to 1,300 friendly people and over 70 businesses that call Washington home, the city boasts a beautiful up-to-date library, a 9-hole grass green golf course, & an 8-lane bowling center. Washington has good quality health care with doctors, dentists, optometrists, and chiropractors serving the community. Two medical clinics and the Washington County Hospital continues to work diligently to bring us the best possible care by creatively meeting the challenges of today's health care needs. There are organizations for everyone: High School Booster Club, 4-H Clubs, Boy & Girl Scouts, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Extension Homemakers Units, Bridge Clubs, Study Clubs & Order of the Eastern Star. The City of Washington offers a 38-acre industrial park with incentives. For more information about economic development opportunities, business and industrial locations in the city, contact the Washington city administrator at (785) 325-2284.

Antiques
Country Antiques - 306 West Sixth Street - (785) 325-2051

Churches

Baptist - 113 West Fifth - (785) 325-2017
Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran - 401 D Street - (785) 325-2944
Presbyterian - 125 West Third - (785) 325-2146
St. Augustine Catholic - 410 B Street - (785) 325-3147
United Methodist - 400 C Street - (785) 325-2158
Grace Baptist - 101 D Street
Washington Christian - 102 East First - (785) 325-3205

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Convenience Stores

Casey's General Store - 101 North 7th on US 36 - (785) 325-2234 or 2235
Kier's Short Stop - US 36 and K-15 junction - (785) 325-2150
 

Genealogy Research

City of Washington -- Washington City Cemetery records are kept at City Hall. To request information e-mail washems@washingtonks.net or write to City of Washington, P.O. Box 296, 301 C Street, Washington, KS 66968. Phone 785/325-2284.

Washington County Courthouse -- Washington County Clerk's office has incomplete birth and death records from 1887-1932. After 1932, record are available at the State of Kansas Department of Vital Statistics. To request information write to Washington County Courthouse, County Clerk's Office, 214 C Street, Washington, KS 66968. Phone 785/325-2974.

Washington County Historical Society -- Has list of all cemetery's in Washington County and several years of old newspapers. To request information contact Washington County Historical Society, 206 Ballard Street, Washington, KS 66968. Phone 785/325-2198.

Washington County News -- Newspapers from 1950 and going through the present. Might be a few books of 1930 and 1940 but they are very fragile and not in good shape. Persons wanting information may view the books at the Washington County News, 303 C Street, Washington, KS 66968. Phone 785/325-2219.

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Historical Information

Settlers began to come into this area after the Kansas Territory was opened in 1854. However, most of the thousands of gold seekers traveled across Washington County in 1849 along the Oregon Trail on their way to California. Not until 1857 did the first settlers come in number to carve out farms in the rich creek and river valleys.

Washington City came into being in 1860, one year before Kansas became a state, being founded by Mr.'s Ballard, Bowen, and Pierce. After the end of the Civil War, settlers came more rapidly and the town began to grow. The coming of the Union Pacific Railroad to the county was celebrated in 1877 and the Burlington Railroad in 1884. In recent years, Burlington and Missouri Pacific railroads no longer serves Washington City.

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Lodging

K-Motel - US 36 - 112 West 7th - (785) 325-2100
Seven Day Inn - US 36 West - (785) 325-2281

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Maps

Location maps

Washington city map

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Points of Interest

Washington County Historical Museum
    From prehistoric times to the present, the story of Washington County is on display at the museum located directly east of the Court House, *Free Admission, Open Sunday 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Open additional hours: June through August - Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (also open by appointment)

Kansas Specialty Dog Service
    Trains guide dogs for blind individuals, service dogs for the physically disabled, and social dogs for care facilities. Visitors welcome. Located on US-36 at D Street, (785) 325-2256.

1882 Log Cabin
    Built by John Pacha family near Odell, NE. The cabin was moved to the Washington City Park in 1970, a project of the Fidelia Study Club, and donated to the City of Washington in 2007.  Donations are now being accepted by the City of Washington  for its renovation.

1889 Jail
    The limestone building has housed the Washington County Sheriff's Office until 1996 when a new office and 911 building was constructed. The old jail is being developed into a law enforcement museum. The jail is now on the Kansas Historical Register. Located at C and 2nd Street.

Munchkinland Park
    State of the Art Playground in Washington City Park.

Self Supporting Power Plant -- In 1937, the City of Washington built a power plant capable of supplying the city’s need. The totally self-supporting power plant has undergone three plant expansions and is considering another as the industrial site grows.

The plan’s capability is 9.1 megawatts and city peak is approximately 4500 kilowatts. The city is contracted with a major utility company that allows them to buy excess power in off-peak times. Therefore, the city can continue to maintain economical power for its customers.

Tours of the plant may be scheduled by calling 785.325.2231.

Power Plant questions or comments may be directed to Power Plant Superintendent Mary Leck.

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Realtors

Heck's Real Estate - Marvin Heck, Realtor - (785) 325-2538
Raymond Bott Realty - Raymond Bott, Realtor - (785) 325-2734
The Realty Associates - Mark Uhlik, Associate - (785) 325-2747

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Restaurants

Swirly Top - 605 B Street, Corner of Hwy 15 & Hwy 36 - (785) 325-3598
Gambino's Pizza - 317 W. 7th - (785) 325-3400

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RV Parking

City of Washington - South part of City Park - Go south off of US 36 at D Street
Rose Garden Camping Court - 2 blocks south of US 36 and K-15 junction - Full hook-ups - (785) 325-2411
Rotary Park - One-half mile east of Washington on US 36 - No facilities/parking only

Service Centers

Anderson Automotive - 109 Railroad Ave. - (785) 325-2609
M&M Tire - 100 East 7th, US 36 - (785) 325-2207
Eaton Radiator and Auto Sales - 807 B Street - (785) 325-2717
Howdy's Community Service Center - 101 East 7th, US 36 - (785) 325-2500
 

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