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A
beautiful,
historic river town with a distinctive German heritage located
in the heart of Missouri Wine Country…
Washington is just minutes off I-44
between St. Louis and Branson. Washington's rich history includes
such
famous individuals as Daniel Boone and Lewis & Clark.
 Washington’s
History...
Some of the earliest settlers in the Washington area were literally followers of Daniel Boone, who had blazed a trail from the hills of Kentucky to the wilderness of east-central Missouri. The German populace for which Washington is known began with the arrival of twelve Catholic families in the fall of 1833. This group and other later German immigrants were sometimes called “followers of Gottfried Duden,” who for two years lived at nearby Dutzow and wrote glowing reviews of the area for readers in his homeland. The lush, green, rolling hills and the river valley reminded Duden of the area from which he came. A natural river landing, at what was to become the Washington site, made this an ideal place to begin a settlement. In the first three decades of the nineteenth century, the small community grew upon the gently sloping hillside on the south bank of the Missouri River. 
William G. Owens and his wife Lucinda settled in the area in 1818. They
eventually purchased most of the land that would become known as “downtown”
Washington, which included about fifty acres. Town lots were sold at auction
in 1829. However, in 1834, Owens was murdered, and legal entanglements
in his estate blocked the establishment of the new town. His widow Lucinda
would eventually receive clear title to the town’s core, and on May 29,
1839, she filed a plat at the county courthouse thus establishing the city
of Washington. Ferryboats served the community from the early 1800’s until
the bridge was completed in 1936. In 1854, John B. Busch, an older
brother of the famous Adolphus Busch, established a brewery in Washington,
bottling the first Busch Beer. The Pacific Railroad laid lines as far as
Washington by 1855. An Austrian immigrant, Franz Schwarzer, began
the manufacture of his world-famous zithers in 1866. Henry Tibbe and his
son Anton began making corncob pipes in 1869; that business would help
put Washington, Missouri, on the map as the “Corncob Pipe Capital of the
World.”
Many of Washington’s historic structures remain today, proudly standing as reminders of times past and evidence of the pride and determination of our fore-fathers. For more history on Washington, Missouri, be sure to visit the Washington Historical Society Museum at Fourth and Market Streets or go to the web site, www.washmohistorical.org. Also, visit Luxenhaus Farm on the third weekend of every October for Deutsch Country Days and experience the pioneer folkways and skills of the early Germans in Missouri www.deutschcountrydays.org. |
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| TOUR INFORMATION | |
| Guided
Tours... If your group is interested in learning about the unique history of Washington, we can arrange for a Step-On Tour Guide. The tours can last from 30-60 minutes and may include a stop at the Washington Historical Society Museum. A $1 per person donation to the Washington Historical Society is customary. To arrange for a Step-On Tour Guide, contact the Visitors Center at 1-888-7-WASHMO Sample Itinerary
Day Trip
Arrive in Washington:
The Visitors Center staff would love to assist you with developing an itinerary that meets your group's interests and needs. 1-888-7WASHMO
Walking Tours...
Tour Services...
Wineries...
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Restaurants...
that accommodate motor coach and group tours are listed here. Washington has restaurants to suit practically every palate, from great home cooking to fine gourmet dining. Please contact the restaurants directly when planning that portion of your tour.
American Bounty Restaurant
Café Mosaic
Chico's
Choco L'Art
Cowan's
Klondike Cafe at Montelle Winery
La Dolce Vita
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