Washington

Small Town Breakdown

Small Town Breakdown: Washington, Indiana

Wedged inside the western border of Daviess County is Washington, a southern Indiana small town home to rich history, good eats, and an elite basketball family.

Fast Facts

📍LOCATION: Southwestern Indiana

• Washington is located in the southern half of Daviess County

• The West White River makes up Daviess County’s west border, and the East White River serves as the south border; they converge in the southwest corner of the county

• Washington sits approximately 4 miles east of the West White River

• U.S. Route 50 runs through town east-west, U.S. Route 150 bypasses the town to the south, Indiana State Road 57 runs through town north-south and I-69 runs north-south to the east of downtown

• 1 hour and 50 minutes southwest of Indianapolis off I-69

• 1 hour southwest of Bloomington

• 2 hours west-northwest of Louisville

👥 POPULATION & RANKING

• 12,513 residents (as of 2023)

• Ranks as Indiana’s 71st largest city

• Largest of seven incorporated towns/cities in Daviess County

📏 LAND AREA

• 6.67 square miles

📅 FOUNDED

• Daviess County was authorized in February 1818 after Knox County was partitioned into smaller counties following Indiana’s founding in 1816

• It was named for Major Joseph Daviess, who was killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811

• Washington was platted in 1815 and got its name from Washington Township which it sits within

• Serves as the county seat of Daviess County

🏥 MAIN INDUSTRIES: Manufacturing, Healthcare

• The Daviess County Airport is north of town

• H&R Agri-Power is a farm equipment supplier

• Daviess Community Hospital, Memorial Health Washington, First Choice Solutions, WrightChoice Healthcare, Cullen Medical Professionals and Fast Pace Health Urgent Care are all medical providers within city limits

Just Tap It In

No matter if you thrive or struggle with your short game, you’ve got to play 18 holes at Putter’s Bay Miniature Golf. This mini golf course doesn’t have clown heads or windmills but instead is all natural with rocks, trees and flowing water to increase the level of difficulty. It’s open on weekends only in the spring and fall but operates seven days a week during the summer. The course has over 70 Google reviews and a 4.7-star rating. ⛳️

Flicks and Popcorn

With nearly 12,000 likes on Facebook and a 4.6-star Google rating among over 340 reviews, the historic Indiana Theater is as popular as they come for theaters in the Hoosier State. Indiana Theater plays movies on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, sells buttery movie theater popcorn and offers free refills on soda. What’s not to like about that? 🎞🍿

History Lesson

The Daviess County Historical Society maintains the Daviess County Museum in an old Masonic Lodge on Main Street in Washington. The lodge was originally built in 1869. The museum is dedicated to preserving the 200-year history of Daviess County and is filled with artifacts and exhibits that entertain and educate all guests. Current exhibits include a look back at Daviess County in the 1960s, the foundation of Daviess County and learning about its contributions to the performing arts scene.

Been Around A Minute

Mason’s Root Beer Drive In has been a restaurant staple in Indiana since 1951. Whether you’re taking a trip down memory lane after eating there as a kid or visiting for the first time, the grab-n-go food options including Coney dogs and homemade Mason’s Root Beer ice cream floats are easy on the taste buds. 🥤

Topping Mason’s as one of the oldest restaurants in town is The New White Steamer, which first opened in 1937! Open six days a week, the cash-only diner is known for serving up some of the best burgers in the entire state. 🍔

The Zeller Brothers

The Zeller brothers — Luke, Tyler and Cody — all played for Washington High School in the 2000s. The eldest of the three, Luke, was a McDonald’s All-American and the leading scorer as a senior on the 2005 championship team at Washington, a year in which he was named “Mr. Basketball” in Indiana. He went on to play at the University of Notre Dame and won a NBA D League title in 2012. Tyler was next in line and contributed to school championships in 2005 and 2008, the latter campaign in which he was named “Mr. Basketball” in Indiana like big brother Luke. He attended the University of North Carolina, was selected as the 17th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and spent parts of nine seasons in the NBA with Cleveland, Boston, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Memphis and San Antonio. The youngest, Cody, was a freshman on the 2008 title team at Washington and contributed to the 2010 and 2011 championships, too. Like both of his older brothers, Cody was named “Mr. Basketball” in Indiana following his senior season and stayed in-state at Indiana University for three seasons. He was selected as the No. 4 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft and spent 11 seasons in the league with Charlotte, Portland, Miami and New Orleans. ⛹️‍♂️⛹️‍♂️⛹️‍♂️

What’s Not to Love About Washington?

• Washington High School has won nine IHSAA championships in school history, including seven in boys basketball (1930, 1941, 1942, 2005 in 3A, 2008 in 3A, 2010 in 3A and 2011 in 3A) and two in boys track & field (1914, 1915). 🏀🏃

• Check out Cherry Ghost Coffee House, where you can grab a scone, latte or morning beverage and enjoy live music on Wednesdays and Fridays. ☕️

  The Bakery House LLC is home to the best pastries in town. Enjoy donuts, muffins and breakfast sandwiches, all at an affordable price. 🍩

  Don’t let the name fool you – Bobe’s Pizza Express serves up the best pizza in town. But how about salmon, steak or pork chops for dinner? Guests can’t get enough of everything Bill and Betty Bobe (and many family members) are whipping up in the Bobe’s Pizza Express kitchen. 🍕

• If you can spare a little time, Champion Lanes is the place to be if you like knocking down pins. 🎳

Our trip through southern Indiana has delivered time and time again. Be sure Washington is among your many stops. ✅

Check out Nate’s breakdown of Washington ⬇️