More historic than 18% of U.S. towns · #343 of 362 in Wisconsin. What drives it
Most of Washington was built recently: 5% of its homes predate 1940 and the median home dates from 1985. Below: maps from 1930 on and the census since 1990.
On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Washington is more historic than 18% of U.S. towns, #343 of 362 in Wisconsin. Its share of homes from before 1940 holds the grade up; its National Register listings pull it down.
C−
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Washington’s overall grade.
Wisconsin towns list more on the Register than most of the country (a typical Wisconsin town has 3.0 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Washington’s 0.0 sits below most of its state (28% of Wisconsin towns have fewer) while its 0 listings outnumber those of 23% of U.S. towns.
How sure. Graded on two of the three inputs, so a change in either one moves the letter more than it would with three. The pre-1940 share (±2.9 points) is firm at this size.
Founding year: our sources. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →
What stands out about Washington’s past
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock, CC0). Places and cemeteries from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).
The story so far
Washington, in brief
Wikipedia doesn’t have a history of Washington yet. The photos, dates and memories neighbors add here are how it gets written.
Washington is a town in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,662 at the 2020 census, making it the county's second-most-populous municipality. The town is located along most of the south side of the cities of Eau Claire and Altoona. The unincorporated community of Brackett is located within the town.
Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses its population grew from 7,182 to 7,662 (+7%).
Intro from Wikipedia. Population: U.S. Census Bureau.
From the old history books
What they wrote about Washington in 1881
Passages that mention Washington, cut from the printed page as they were published.
History of Washington and Ozaukee counties, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources ... biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers1881 · page 343Read the page →
Read the text
Sec. 7. The liabilities or indebtedness of the present county of Washington shall be paid, satisfied and discharged ratably by said county of Washington and county of Ozaukee, according to the last assessment of Washington County, except so far as the county of Washington shall have a fund, which shall be used in discharge of said indebtedness ; and in case there is a county fund on hand, or real or personal property now owned by said county of Washington, the same shall be divided between the said counties at the same rates as for the discharge of indebtedness. The Board of Supervisors of either county shall have power to audit claims for which both counties are liable.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
History of Washington and Ozaukee counties, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources ... biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers1881 · page 335Read the page →
Read the text
Port Washington for five years. The act was passed January 25, 1847, and its provisions were as follows : Section 1. That for the term of five years from and after the passage of this act. the seat of justice of the county of Washington shall be established at the village of Washington, on Section 28, Township 11, Range 22 east ; and all district courts to be held in and for said county, during said time, shall be held at the public schoolhouse in said village, until some other and more suitable place shall be provided for that purpose.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.
Timeline
Washington, 1870 to 1930
Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.
Washington is more historic than 18% of U.S. towns, #343 of 362 in Wisconsin. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
How old are the homes in Washington?
5% of Washington’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±2.9 points), against a typical 12% for a Wisconsin town; the median home was built in 1985.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).
From Wikimedia Commons (3), U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
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