Washington
County, Illinois
Washington
County, named for our country’s first
president, was organized in 1818 from parts
of St. Clair County and spun off Clinton
County. There are just over 15,000 residents
countywide.
Cities located in Washington County include
Ashley, DuBois, Hoyleton, Irvington,
Nashville, Okawville, Radom and Richview.
The county seat is Nashville. It’s best
known for its “Miniature Chapel,” which
is only 8 by 12 feet. Still, that doesn’t
deter wannabe brides and grooms, who come
from all over the country and around the
world to be wedded there.
In Washington County, the biggest
attraction, literally, is the Washington
County State Recreational Area, about four
miles south of Nashville. In 1959, the state
bought 160 acres of natural area near
Nashville, then continued to purchase
acreage until reaching 1,440 acres. In 1960,
the Department of Natural Resources
constructed a long, thin, 248-acre lake in
the park, ideal for fishing and boating. The
park also has seven groves for picnics, with
drinking water and playground equipment. For
hikers, there is a 14-mile trail.
Other things to do in the Nashville area
include golfing and, shortly after the 4th
of July, the county fair. In nearby
Okawville, visitors can experience the
“Little Hot Springs of Illinois,” a
naturally occurring mineral spring and spa.
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