On this stretch of South Street in Washington, the story isn’t just about a building, It’s about movement. Not just of people, but of machines. Of innovation. Of a community stepping into the modern age.

Built for the Automobile Age

Around 1920, this two-story brick building was constructed by the Hatfield & Palmer Company and designed not for foot traffic, but for something new:

Cars.

From the very beginning, it was built differently. A steep concrete ramp led from the street up to the second floor—wide enough for vehicles to be driven (or pulled) upstairs. Inside, massive steel bowstring trusses stretched across the space, allowing for wide-open showrooms without support columns. This wasn’t just a building. It was a statement that Washington was embracing

the future.

A Showroom Like No Other

In 1922, the building opened as a Studebaker dealership under Milford N. Palmer—and it didn’t do anything quietly. That same year, it hosted Daviess County’s first major automobile show. For three days, crowds filled both floors. Cars, trucks, and tractors were displayed throughout the building. An orchestra played afternoon and evening performances. Visitors came from surrounding towns, drawn by the excitement of a rapidly changing world.

Imagine it:

Engines gleaming under electric lights.

Voices echoing through open showroom space.

The future, on display!

Changing Hands, Changing Times

As the years passed, the building continued to reflect the shifting economy. Dealerships came and went—Studebaker, Ford, Lincoln—each representing a different chapter in America’s growing relationship with the automobile. But like many businesses of the era, the Great Depression left its mark. Ownership changed. The purpose of the building began to shift.

And once again, this space adapted.

From Showroom to Sears

By the late 1930s, the building entered a new phase of life.

It became home to a Sears & Roebuck retail operation, operated locally through the Graham Stores. Inside, customers could find tools, appliances, farm equipment, and everyday goods— many available through catalog order as well as in-store purchase. For generations of Washington families, this became the place to shop.

It was where you bought your first set of tools.

Your washing machine.

Your tires.

The things that helped build a life.

A Building That Keeps Moving

Even after Sears eventually closed, the building didn’t lose its purpose. Over the decades, it became home to new businesses—paint, flooring, home goods—and even something more personal: an upstairs apartment where a family once lived above the storefront.

Today, the building continues to evolve.

Upstairs, the space now serves as a welcoming Airbnb—offering visitors a chance to stay right in the heart of downtown. Downstairs, S & P Variety brings a new kind of movement to the space, offering scooter and e-bike rentals that invite you to explore the rest of the Landmarks & Legacies Trail.

In a place once built for cars…You can now start your journey on two wheels.

Built to Last

What makes this building remarkable isn’t just what happened inside it, it’s how it was built.

Fireproof construction.

Steel-supported open spaces.

A vehicle ramp unlike anything else downtown.

These features weren’t just innovative, they were intentional. Designed for change. Built for whatever came next. And for over 100 years, that’s exactly what this building has done

A Legacy of Motion

This stop on the Landmarks & Legacies Trail is about progress in motion.

From:

• Early automobile innovation

• To community-wide auto shows

• To evolving dealerships

• To a Sears storefront that served generations

• To a modern space for visitors and exploration

This building never stood still. Because in Washington, history doesn’t sit quietly…

It moves.