The 1922 Washington Automobile

The Washington Deluxe Automobile is the last remaining automobile produced by the Washington Motor Car Company, of Eaton, Ohio. During the four years that it was in business, the company manufactured and sold 30 hand-made Washingtons, in four separate model lines.

On April 17, 1920, the State of Ohio granted a Charter to the Washington Motor Car Company. The state authorized the company’s directors, Albert Christman, Edward Wysong, John E. Voge, and Otto M. Shipley to manufacture automobiles and to locate the company’s headquarters in Eaton, Ohio.

It was a proud day for those who lived in Eaton. Promoters and stock holders suggested that this farming community, forty minutes west of Dayton and an hour north of Cincinnati, would someday boast of being “Little Detroit” The Car Manufacturing Center of Ohio.

Shortly after the state chartered the company, the directors broke ground on St. Clair Street, in Eaton, for their modern automobile manufacturing plant. The plant was an excellent example of an early, 20 century, American factory. To reduce artificial, electric-light costs, the architects designed the plant to utilize sunlight. Approximately 60% of the factory was glass.

"There's an Exciting Past in Your Future"

Preble County Historical Society
7693 Swartsel Road
Eaton, OH 45320
937-787-4256 Voice and Fax

preblecohistsoc@brecnet.com