Washington, MO

WASHINGTON, A post town of Franklin county, in Washington township, beautifully situated on Missouri river, 10 miles from Union, the county seat, 54 miles from St. Louis, and 71 to Jefferson City.  Washington was settled about 25 years ago, by Mr. Owens, and in about five years a post office was established.  From that time until the Pacific Railroad was completed to that place, there was but little progress.  It is now growing as rapidly as any town in the State.  It is surrounded by a rolling country of rich and fertile soil, having an outlet by river navigation and railroad, which makes it one of the best shipping points on the Missouri river.
This town contains four churches, viz.: one Catholic, one Lutheran, one Presbyterian and one Methodist, one Masonic lodge, Martha Washington Lodge, No. 46, one I.O.O.F Pacific Lodge No. 86, one dramatic society. one ladies high school, one common school, one weekly newspaper, the Weekly Advertiser, published every Friday, by N.B. Buck, six manufacturing establishments, twelve stores, three manufacturers and dealers in agricultural implements, one ambrotype gallery, five attorneys at law, three notaries public, three auctioneers, two bakers, two bankers, one billiard saloon, three blacksmiths, two butchers, one bookseller, eight boot and shoe manufacturers, four brick yards, eight cabinet makers and dealers in furniture, one carding machine, twelve carpenters and builders, four carriage and wagon makers, one clothing dealer, one commission and forwarding merchant, seven coopers, one crockery and china store, one dentist, one druggist, two gunsmiths, one dealer in hats, caps, and furs, one engraver, one express agency (U.S. Co.), one Yankee notions and fancy goods store, two flouring mills, one grocer, seven general stores, three harness and saddle makers, one hide and leather dealer,four hotels, three insurance agents, one livery stable, two jewelers, three lumber yards,, three nurseries, four painters, five physicians, two saw mils, one seminary, two potteries, eight stone masons, three surveyors, eight tailors, one telegraph office, four wine and liquor dealers, two shingle makers, one printing office, one rope maker and two stove dealers.  The chief products are tobacco, wheat, and corn; the timber the very best of all kinds in the State.  The average price of uncultivated land$20 per acre, cultivated from $80 to $100 per acre.  Population 1,500.  (The Missouri State Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1860)