Situated along the Missouri River in Franklin County, Missouri, the city of Washington bills itself as the corncob pipe capital of the world, with the Missouri Meerschaum Company, the world's oldest tobacco smoking pipe manufacturer and the largest manufacturer of corncob pipes, located along the riverfront. The community was settled while the area was under Spanish rule in the late 1700s, and originally known as St. John Meyer's Settlement. Family members and followers of Daniel Boone came to the area in the 1790s and 1800s, and a ferry boat crossed the river there in 1814, which led to the settlement becoming known as Washington Landing. A town was laid out in 1827, and land was offered for free to those who could build a home on it within two years. Anti-slavery German families began moving to the area in the 1830s, overwhelming the pro-slavery population, and Washington was a strong supporter of the Union during the Civil War. Troops under the command of Confederate General Sterling Price ransacked the town but did not occupy it. The town has 445 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Surrounding communities include Femme Osage, Peers and Schluersburg, across the river, and Boles, Clover Bottom, Lyon, New Haven, Union, and Villa Ridge, on the same side of the Missouri.
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Recommended Resources
The official web site of the Franklin County, Missouri city offers maps and a profile of the community, city departments, and a calendar of public meetings and events, as well as city codes, employment opportunities, and a guide to area organizations, facilities and services.
http://www.ci.washington.mo.us/
Downtown Washington is one of Missouri's first Main Street programs, intended to create a sustainable community using Local Agenda 21 standards, including organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring of the region. Membership information, contacts, and a calendar of events are posted.
http://www.downtownwashmo.org/
Based in Washington, Missouri, the company manufactures baseball gloves, bats, and other gear, which are available for purchase in its physical store or through online shopping. Its products, relacing program, a product catalog, and directions and hours for its store are featured.
http://www.dwbaseballcompany.com/
Located on seventy-five acres near Washington, Missouri, the family owned farm features an apple orchard, pecan orchard, and Christmas tree farm. Directions, photographs, and contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.heritagevalleytreefarm.com/
Sponsored by the Washington Division of Tourism, Washington Town & Country Fair, Washington Community & Economic Development, Washington Farmers' Market, Washington Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Washington, the Washington Historical Society, and the City of Washington, the site offers a guide to local organizations and events.
http://www.washmo.org/
In business since 1869, the Washington, Missouri pipe manufacturing company is the world's oldest and largest manufacturer of corn cob pipes. The story of corn cob pipes is told, and an overview of its pipes, bits, accessories and other products is put forward, and made available for purchase online.
http://corncobpipe.com/
Located in Washington, Missouri, the public school system is one of the largest in Missouri, covering more than two hundred and fifty square miles, with campuses in three counties, including a K-12 curriculum, an early learning center, career center, and trade school. Its administrative offices, schools, and programs are highlighted, along with an overview of the district.
http://www.washington.k12.mo.us/
Washington Area Chamber of Commerce
Made up of business owners and others from the Washington, Missouri region, the Chamber consists of the Chamber of Commerce itself, as well as the Town & Country Fair, the Division of Tourism, and the License Office, each of which are highlighted here, along with information about the benefits of membership, membership policies, and a guide to the region.
http://www.washmochamber.org/
