George Herman Van Leeuwen was instrumental in securing the land from the federal government and acted as the President of the Board of Directors.

Due to his role in the organizing of the community, it was proposed to be named VanLeeuwenville, which was voted down for a variety of reasons.

[citation needed] The second to last person in America to be executed by firing squad, John Albert Taylor, raped and murdered Charla King in Washington Terrace in 1988.

[citation needed] Mayor Mark Allen was chosen by a dice roll when the 2003 election ended in a tie.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), all land.