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Coordinates: 38°42′46″N 78°9′34″W / 38.71278°N 78.15944°W / 38.71278; -78.15944
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{{short description|Town in Virginia}}
{{For|another town founded under this name|Washington, Kentucky}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{distinguish|Little Washington, Virginia|Washington County, Virginia}}
{{short description|Town in Virginia, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Washington, Virginia
| official_name = Washington, Virginia
|settlement_type = [[Town]]
| settlement_type = Town
|nickname =
| nickname =
|motto =
| motto = <!-- Images -->
| image_flag =
| image_seal = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map = Washington in Rappahannock County.svg
| mapsize = 266px
| map_caption = Location of Washington within Rappahannock County
| image_map1 =
| mapsize1 =
| map_caption1 = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Virginia]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Virginia|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Rappahannock County, Virginia|Rappahannock]]


<!-- Government -->| government_footnotes =
<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline = DowntownWashingtonVA.jpg
| government_type = Mayor and Town Council
|imagesize = 250px
| leader_title =
|image_caption = Central intersection in Washington
| leader_name =
|image_flag =
| leader_title1 =
|image_seal =
| leader_name1 =
| established_title = Established as a town by the Virginia General Assembly
| established_date = 1796
| named_for = [[George Washington]]


<!-- Area -->| unit_pref = Imperial
<!-- Maps -->
|image_map = VAMap-doton-Washington.PNG
| area_magnitude =
|mapsize = 250px
| area_total_sq_mi = 0.26
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
|map_caption = Location of Washington, Virginia
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =


<!-- Population -->| population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
<!-- Location -->
| population_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| population_total = 86
|subdivision_name = [[United States]]
| population_density_sq_mi =
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Virginia]]
| timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset = &minus;5
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Virginia|County]]
| timezone_DST = EDT
|subdivision_name2 = [[Rappahannock County, Virginia|Rappahannock]]
| utc_offset_DST = &minus;4
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_ft = 682
| coordinates = {{coord|38|42|46|N|78|9|34|W|region:US-VA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code = 22747
| area_code = [[Area code 540|540]]
| website = [http://washingtonva.gov Official Website]
| footnotes =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_est =
| name =
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 51-83248
| pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2018CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse"/>
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2016">{{cite web|title=2018 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2018_Gazetteer/2018_gaz_place_51.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 0.68
| area_land_km2 = 0.68
| area_water_km2 = 0.00
| area_land_sq_mi = 0.26
| population_density_km2 = auto
| pushpin_map = Virginia#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the Commonwealth of Virginia
}}
The town of '''Washington, Virginia''', is a historic village located in the eastern foothills of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]] near [[Shenandoah National Park]].  The entire town is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] as a [[historic district (United States)|historic district]], '''Washington Historic District'''. It is the county seat of [[Rappahannock County, Virginia]].

The town was established by an act of the [[Virginia General Assembly]] in 1796 and as the [[county seat]] of [[Rappahannock County, Virginia|Rappahannock County]], [[Virginia]], in 1833. The town was incorporated in 1894 and was rechartered by the Virginia General Assembly in 1985. A large portion of the town was designated as the [[Washington Historic District (Washington, Virginia)|Washington Historic District]] on the [[Virginia Landmarks Register]] and the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1975 and is considered to be the best preserved of county-seat communities in the [[Piedmont region of Virginia|Piedmont]]. The town is led by a 7-member elected Town Council composed of a mayor, a treasurer, and five other members, all of whom serve 4-year terms. The internationally recognized [[Inn at Little Washington]] is located in the town. The town combines a mixture of open spaces, residences, village commerce, tourism facilities, historic buildings, cultural offerings, and local government activities. Its population was 135 people in the 2010 census and was estimated to be 127 people in 2019. The area of the town is {{convert|182|acre|ha}}.

==History==
The first recorded official document relating to the land that became the town of Washington was a land grant in the year 1735 from King [[George II of Great Britain]] to Thomas, James, and Elizabeth Kennerly.<ref>Library of Virginia, Virginia Colonial Land Office Patent Book No. 15, 1732–1735, pp. 531-532</ref> The three siblings received 1,750 acres of land located "between the mountains and the fork of the Rushy River," in what was then [[Orange County, Virginia|Orange County]], for importing six people into the colony of Virginia, payment of seven pounds five shillings of "good and lawful money," and an annual fee of one shilling for every fifty acres of land. At this time there were virtually no [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] in the area and the way was open to English settlement of the Piedmont region of Virginia.<ref>Maureen I. Harris, ''Washington, Virginia, a History, 1735-2018'' (KDP Publishing, Amazon.com, 2019), pp. 9-11</ref>

In 1745, the Kennerlys divided their land into three parts. Thomas received the central part, adjacent to and south of the Rush River and containing the land that would become the town of Washington.<ref>Orange County Deed Book 10, p. 278</ref> Thomas sold his land to Henry Gambill in 1753 and moved to South Carolina.<ref>Culpeper County Deed Book B, pp. 70-74</ref> Gambill divided the land: in 1754 he sold the western part, which contained what became the western portion of the town of Washington, to John Minor; in 1761 he gave the eastern part, which contained what became the northeastern portion of the town, to his son William Gambill.<ref>Culpeper County Deed Book B, pp. 132–135, and Deed Book C, pp. 609-610</ref> The border between these two parts would become part of the original road to [[Chester Gap]] and, later, Gay Street when the town of Washington was established.

These two parts were bought and sold multiple times during the next 30 years.<ref>Maureen I. Harris, "History of the Land and the People who Founded the Town of Washington, Virginia, 1735–1833," ''Magazine of Virginia Genealogy'', Vol. 53, No. 1, 2015, pp. 64-70</ref> However, four important individuals acquired the land in the 1790s. In 1791 William Porter was given 247 acres of the western land, and in 1795 George Calvert purchased 230 acres of the adjacent eastern land.<ref>Culpeper County Deed Book Q, pp. 387–388, and Deed Book S, pp. 170-172</ref> During 1792–1795, Porter sold 2 acres to James Wheeler, 2 acres to James Jett Jr., and 6 acres to George Calvert, all of which were located on land that became the town of Washington.<ref>Culpeper County Deed Book R, pp. 35-36 and pp. 333–334, and Deed Book S, pp. 278-280 and pp. 99-100</ref> Only a few buildings were mentioned in these deeds; these included Wheeler's storehouse, Jett's store, and a schoolhouse, located along the road to Chesters Gap. The rest of the land was apparently only farmland owned by Porter and by Calvert.

On November 1, 1796, George Calvert, James Jett Jr., and James Wheeler petitioned the [[Virginia General Assembly]] to "establish a town by the name of Washington on twenty five acres of land of your said petitioners".<ref>Library of Virginia, Petitions of Culpeper County to the Virginia General Assembly, www.virginiamemory.com/collections/petitions</ref> The General Assembly responded by passing an act on December 14, 1796, establishing thirteen new towns in Virginia, one of which was the town of Washington.<ref>Samuel Shepherd, ''The Statutes at Large of Virginia, from October Session 1792 to December Session 1806, Inclusive, in Three Volumes, (New Series), Being a Continuation of Hening,'' vol. II (New York: AMS Press, 1836), pp. 29-32</ref> One year later, Calvert, Jett, Wheeler, and William Porter sent a second petition to the General Assembly of Virginia, asking that part of Porter's land be added to the town.<ref>Library of Virginia, Petitions of Culpeper County to the General Assembly of Virginia,  www.virginiamemory.com/collections/petitions</ref> A plan of the proposed streets and lots of the town was attached to the petition; four of the six streets were named after the four petitioners. On December 25, 1797, the General Assembly approved this request.<ref>Samuel Shepherd, ''The Statutes at Large of Virginia, from October Session 1792 to December Session 1806, Inclusive, in Three Volumes, (New Series), Being a Continuation of Hening,'' vol. II (New York: AMS Press, 1836), p. 131</ref>
The local legend that George Washington surveyed and laid out the town in 1749 is believed to have been created from fictitious documents in 1932.<ref>Eugene M. Scheel, "Putting Little Washington on the Map," ''The Portolan Journal of the Washington Map Society'', No. 54, 2002, pp. 37-39; Maureen I. Harris, ''Washington, Virginia, a History, 1735-2018'' (KDP Publishing, Amazon.com., 2019), Appendix 4</ref>
[[File:The Avon Hall home.jpg|thumb|The historic Avon Hall home|alt=|250x250px]]
The trustees of the new town of Washington quickly proceeded to sell the fifty-one lots of the town. In 1803 Mrs. Anne Cox established a tavern in the center of town; this building survives today as the gift shops of The Inn at Little Washington. Mary Resor also established a tavern, on Gay Street, which was next owned by George Thorn and later became the home "Avon Hall." The Washington post office was situated in the town by 1804 and still remains in the town. The town became known as "Little Washington" as early as 1804, to distinguish it from the new capital of [[Washington, D.C.]] located only 70 miles to the northeast.<ref>''The Journals and Letters of Francis Asbury,'' vol. II (London, Epworth Press, 1958), p. 447</ref>
[[File:Courthouse of Washington, Virginia.jpg|left|thumb|The courthouse of Washington, Virginia, constructed in 1833-1834]]
In 1833, Rappahannock County was created from part of [[Culpeper County]] and the town of Washington was selected to be the county seat.<ref>Acts of the Virginia General Assembly, Chapter 73 for the year 1833; Rappahannock County Deed Book A, pp. 24-29</ref> The courthouse and Court Clerk's office were constructed by Malcolm F. Crawford of [[Albemarle County]] in 1833-1834 and the jail was built by John W. Fant of [[Shenandoah County]] in 1833–1836.<ref>Maureen Harris, "Will the Real Courthouse Architect Please Stand Up," ''Rappahannock News'', June 4, 2017, and June 17, 2017; Rappahannock County Minute Book A, pp. 26 and 74</ref> The town was governed by a 7-member Board of Trustees. As the town prospered and grew in importance as the seat of government of Rappahannock County, new homes were constructed, and businesses were established to serve the town and the county. Two schools were created in the town to provide private education in the years before the Commonwealth of Virginia instituted public education. The Washington Presbyterian church was built in 1856–1858, Trinity Episcopal church in 1857, Washington Baptist church in 1875, the black American First Baptist church in 1881, and the Washington Methodist church in 1890. The ''Blue Ridge Guide'' newspaper served the town and the county from 1886 to 1936.<ref>Maureen I. Harris, ''Washington, Virginia, a History, 1735-2018'' (KDP Publishing, Amazon.com, 2019), pp. 45-58</ref>

In 1894, the town was incorporated by an act of the Virginia General Assembly and governance of the town was vested in a council of seven members.<ref>Acts of the Virginia General Assembly, Chapter 228 for the year 1894</ref> The Rappahannock National Bank was established in the town in 1903, and electricity and telephones were introduced in the 1920s. Thornton's garage was constructed in the middle of town; this became The Inn at Little Washington in 1978. Partlow's General Store was created in the town in the early 1900s, Stuart's merchandise store in 1908, and Lea Brothers Store in 1928. A new water system was constructed for the town in the mid-1930s through [[Franklin Roosevelt]]'s Works Progress Administration, and a volunteer fire department was created at that time. In the later 1930s, caravans of tourists began visiting the town on their way to [[Skyline Drive]] in Shenandoah National Park. A major event heralded the beginning of the second half of the 20th century with the election of seven women to serve as the Town Council of Washington, replacing the seven men who had comprised the council. Nationwide publicity was given to the election and to the town (nicknamed "She-town" temporarily). These women accomplished a great deal to improve the ambiance and governance of the town. Over the next 50 years, the town flourished because of the influx of tourism, with many new stores, art galleries, restaurants, and overnight lodging. The weekly ''Rappahannock News'' newspaper was begun. Two performance arts theaters and a public library were established in the town.
[[File:Washington, Virginia (6279272935).jpg|alt=|left|thumb|The log cabin at 322 Main Street, considered to be one of the earliest buildings constructed in the town]]


In 1975, the town was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "Washington Historic District", and the Town Council passed an ordinance establishing a review board charged with preserving the town's historic character. (More below.)
<!-- Government -->
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|government_type =
|leader_title =
|leader_name =
|leader_title1 =
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|established_title =
|established_date =
|named_for = [[George Washington]]


[[File:The Inn at Little Washington at Christmastime.jpg|thumb|[[The Inn at Little Washington]] at Christmastime|alt=|240x240px]]
<!-- Area -->
One of the most important events in the modern history of the town is the opening of [[The Inn at Little Washington]] in 1978. This restaurant and inn celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018 and has gained national and international fame. It is a member of the luxury hotel association, [[Relais & Châteaux]]. It is the first inn to receive the Mobil Travel Guide's 5-Star award, and it has been rated by the American Automobile Association with 5 diamonds for its restaurant and 5 diamonds for its overnight lodging for 28 years. In 2001, the owner and chef of the Inn, Patrick O'Connell, was given the prestigious Outstanding Chef in America Award. [[La Liste]], the French guide to the world's best restaurants, ranked the Inn as the fifth highest rated restaurant in the world.<ref>''Rappahannock News'', December 4, 1986; ''The Daily Progress'', March 8, 2002; ''Richmond Times-Dispatch'', November 12, 2005; Rappahannock News, September 20, 2018, and December 13, 2018</ref> The Inn attracts a discerning clientele from Washington, D.C., and its suburbs. Largely due to the Inn's influence, the town is also home to several art galleries, unique shops, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants. The town attracts art lovers, history buffs, and hikers that come into the county for day hikes or weekend camping trips.
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_51.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_sq_mi = 0.26
|area_land_sq_mi = 0.26
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.00


In 1985 the town was rechartered by the Virginia General Assembly. By this new charter, the town was granted much broader powers and increased responsibilities.<ref>Acts of the Virginia General Assembly, Chapter 172 for the year 1985</ref> Washington has evolved to be a safe and quiet community within the rural agricultural environment of Rappahannock County. It still has the same grid of streets and the same street names shown in the 1797 town plan. However, the 51 lots have been subdivided extensively and the boundaries of the town have been significantly enlarged, from the original 25 acres to 182.0171 acres.<ref>Rappahannock County Instrument 990001042</ref> The town is a community without any large commercial businesses or heavy industry. It is governed by a 7-member Town Council guided by the town's Comprehensive Plan, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and town ordinances.
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of = [[2010 United States Census|2010]]
|population_footnotes =
|population_total = 135
|population_density_sq_mi = 482.89


==Washington Historic District==
<!-- General information -->
{{Infobox NRHP
|timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| name = Washington Historic District
| utc_offset = &minus;5
| nrhp_type = hd
|timezone_DST = EDT
| nocat = yes
| utc_offset_DST = &minus;4
| designated_other1 = Virginia Landmarks Register
|elevation_footnotes =
| designated_other1_date = April 15, 1975; amended September 6, 2006
|elevation_ft = 682
| designated_other1_number = 322-0011
|coordinates = {{coord|38|42|46|N|78|9|34|W|region:US-VA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| designated_other1_num_position = bottom
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
| image =
|postal_code = 22747
| caption =
|area_code = [[Area code 540|540]]
| location = Town of Washington, Virginia
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| coordinates = {{coord|38|42|51|N|78|09|34|W|display=inline}}
|blank_info = 51-83248<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| locmapin = Virginia#USA
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| built = Circa 1800 to 1945
|blank1_info = 1500280<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| builder = Malcolm F. Crawford, James Leake Powers, multiple other builders
|website =
| architecture = Early Republic, Greek Revival, Jeffersonian, multiple other styles
|footnotes =
| added = May 28, 1975; amended November 21, 2006
|pop_est_as_of = 2019
| area = {{convert|180|acre|ha}}
|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse"/>
| refnum = 75002033
|population_est = 127
|area_total_km2 = 0.68
|area_land_km2 = 0.68
|area_water_km2 = 0.00
|population_density_km2 = 186.73
}}
}}
"Washington Historic District" was added to the Virginia Landmarks Register and to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1975. The historic district comprises the entire corporate boundaries of the town (180 acres).<ref group=note>The 1975 nomination incorrectly estimated the acreage of the town to be 140 acres. The nomination document included a boundary description and a plat of the corporate limits. In 1985 a professional survey was completed which determined the town to be 180 acres - Rappahannock County, Court Clerk's Office, Plat Book 4, p. 68</ref> However, most of the historic structures are clustered within the 30-acre core of the town established in 1796-1797 by George Calvert, James Jett Jr., James Wheeler, and William Porter.<ref>{{cite web| publisher=Library of Virginia, Legislative Petitions Digital Collection |url=http://www.virginiamemory.com/petitions| title=The 1975 nomination indicated that George Washington laid out the town in 1749; this local legend has been determined to have been created from fictitious documents in 1932 (see reference 7, Appendix 4)}}</ref>
'''Washington''' is a town in and the [[county seat]] of [[Rappahannock County, Virginia|Rappahannock County]], [[Virginia]], [[United States]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|accessdate=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The site of this town was surveyed by [[George Washington]] in July 1749. It was the first of what would be many American places to be named for the future first president.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kK8wAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pIoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4852%2C1627103 | title=Washington, Va., Oldest Of Name | work=The Free Lance-Star | date=Oct 3, 1932 | accessdate=2 May 2015 | pages=3}}</ref> Its population was 135 people at the 2010 census, down from 183 in the 2000 census. It is nicknamed '''Little Washington''' to avoid confusion with [[Washington, D.C.]], which is only {{convert|70|mi|km}} to the east.


At that time, the Town Council passed a Historic District Ordinance which established a Historic District Architectural Review Board.<ref>Calder Loth, editor, ''The Virginia Landmarks Register'' (University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, 1986), p. 358; Virginia Department of Historic Resources, dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/322-0011; National Register of Historic Places, U.S. National Park Service, nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister</ref> The historic district encompassed the entire town and many properties were considered as [[contributing resources|contributing]] to the historic nature of the town. The Town Council's actions were intended to protect and preserve the historic nature of the town. A resurvey of the town was conducted in 2004–2005. In 2006, an amendment was made to the town's historic district designation, extending the period of historic significance to 1945, and the amendment was recorded on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register in 2006. A total of 159 properties are considered to contribute to the historic nature of the District.<ref>https://www.virginia.gov/historic-registers/322-0011 {{Dead link|date=February 2022|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/322-0011_Washington_Historic_District_1975_Final_Nomination.pdf | access-date=November 11, 2023 | title=National Register of Historic Places - Inventory - Nomination Form}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/322-0011_WashingtonHD_2006_NRfinal_Updated.pdf | access-date=November 11, 2023 | title=National Register of Historic Places- Registration Form}}</ref><ref>Cheryl H. Shepherd, "Resurvey of the Washington Historic District 2004-05," Reconnaissance Level Survey, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Richmond, Virginia</ref> Many of the homes and other structures from the earliest period of the town survive today.
==History==
[[Image:Plat large.jpg|left|thumb|Original plat map]]


{{anchor|Rappahannock County Courthouse}}[[File:Rappahannock County Courthouse.jpg|left|thumb|Rappahannock County Courthouse]]
Washington was formerly the location of a trading post utilized by frontier families and members of the resident [[Manahoac]] tribe. All of the territory in and around the current town was under the ownership of [[Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron]]. In 1748, Lord Fairfax met a 16-year-old George Washington, a distant relative of his. Being impressed by his character, Fairfax employed Washington to survey his lands west of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]]. On July 24, 1749, the town layout as it appears today was surveyed and platted by Washington with the assistance of his chainmen, John Lonem and Edward Corder, as part of his service to Fairfax. The village was officially established as a Town by the [[Virginia General Assembly]] on December 14, 1795 when it gained the requisite population of 200. Records from an 1835 [[gazetteer]] state that the town contained one academy, fifty-five dwellings, four mercantile stores, two taverns, one house of worship, twenty-seven trade shops, and two large flour mills.
The chief landmark is the '''Rappahannock County Courthouse''', a two-story [[Flemish bond|Flemish-bond]] Jeffersonian-style building constructed in 1834-1835 by Malcolm F. Crawford of Albemarle County who had worked on construction of the [[University of Virginia]] and built the [[Page County Courthouse (Virginia)|Page County Courthouse]] and [[Greene County Courthouse (Virginia)|Greene County Courthouse]] (both surviving and NRHP-listed), and also the courthouse of Spotsylvania County. Crawford also built the adjacent Court clerk's office (now the office of the Commissioner of Revenue). Other brick buildings in the courthouse complex are the county jail (1835–1836, constructed by John W. Fant of Stafford County) and the county treasurer's office (1857). A small frame building (1857) on the northwest corner of the complex served as the original office of the Commonwealth Attorney.<ref>Maureen I. Harris, Washington, Virginia, a History, 1735–2018 (KDP Publishing, Amazon.com, 2019), pp. 26-28, 235-239</ref>


Other notable buildings include the tavern and inn originally owned by Anne Coxe (circa 1800, now commercial shops); a log building that was probably one of the original dwelling houses constructed when the town was formed in 1796–1797; the country-Gothic Trinity Episcopal church (1857) and the Doric Presbyterian church (1858, now the Town Hall), both constructed by James Leake Powers; the brick Baptist church and Masonic hall (1875); and a brick Edwardian bank building (1915, now commercial offices).<ref>Examination of Rappahannock County land records and land deeds has resulted in more accurate dates of construction for many of the buildings included in the 1975 application and the 2006 amendment. See reference 7, pp. 155-251</ref>
During the Civil War, a home on the town's Main Street served as a [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] hospital. In the late 19th century when rail became the main method of trade, the main east-west railway route at the time was constructed north of town through the accessible [[Thoroughfare Gap (Bull Run Mountain)|Thoroughfare Gap]]. Washington was relatively unaffected by the [[Second Industrial Revolution|industrial age]] and thus the current town is quite similar to the one of 150 years ago. By the start of the 20th century, the population reached three hundred, supporting businesses such as three garages and a barber shop. However, since then, the population has declined below two hundred.


Numerous private homes are also part of the Washington Historic District, including the mansions Avon Hall (circa 1810, moved and enlarged in 1931), the Meadows (circa 1790), Mount Prospect (1872), The Maples (circa 1850, now a bed and breakfast establishment), and the home constructed for Edward Pendleton (circa 1800, now remodeled as overnight lodging for The Inn at Little Washington).  In addition to these large homes, there are many privately owned homes with historic significance throughout the Washington Historic District.
Today, the town is probably best known for [[The Inn at Little Washington]], a five-star restaurant, inn, and member of the [[Relais & Châteaux]] group. The Inn attracts a discerning clientele from Washington, D.C., and its suburbs. Largely due to the Inn's influence, the town is also home to several art galleries, specialty shops, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants. The town attracts art lovers, history buffs, and hikers who come into the county from the east for day hikes or weekend camping trips.


The town of Washington has been described as perhaps the best preserved of the county seat communities in the Virginia Piedmont.<ref>Calder Loth, editor. The Virginia Landmarks Register, 3rd edition. University Press of Virginia, 1986, p. 358</ref>
[[Ben Venue (Washington, Virginia)|Ben Venue]], [[Calvert Mill/Washington Mill]], [[Mount Salem Baptist Meetinghouse]], [[Sunnyside (Washington, Virginia)|Sunnyside]], and [[Washington Historic District (Washington, Virginia)|Washington Historic District]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

{{Gallery
|title = Gallery
|align = center
|footer =
|height =
|width =
|File:View in 2020 of Mrs Coxe's tavern, built circa 1800.jpg
|View in 2020 of Mrs. Coxe's tavern, built circa 1800
|File:Courthouse of Washington, Virginia.jpg
| Rappahannock County courthouse, built 1834-1835
|File:The Avon Hall home.jpg
| The Avon Hall mansion
|File:Rappahannock County Jail building.JPG
|Rappahannock County Jail, built 1835-1836
}}


==Geography==
==Geography==
Washington is located at {{coord|38|42|46|N|78|9|34|W|type:city}} (38.712914, −78.159474).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>
Washington is located at {{coord|38|42|46|N|78|9|34|W|type:city}} (38.712914, −78.159474).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>


According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of 0.3&nbsp;square miles (0.7&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all of it land.
The town has a total area of 0.284 square miles (0.737&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all of it land except for the Avon Hall pond.<ref>Rappahannock County Court Clerk, Instrument 990001042</ref>


The town is located at the foot of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]].
The town is located on the eastern side of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]] near the northern part of Shenandoah National Park.


==Demographics==
{{US Census population
{{US Census population
|1880= 254
|1880= 254
Line 118: Line 167:
|2000= 183
|2000= 183
|2010= 135
|2010= 135
|estyear=2019
|estyear=2018
|estimate=127
|estimate=125
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2018CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2018.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=June 4, 2019}}</ref>
|footnote=<center>U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref></center>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 183 people, 88 households, and 49 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was 692.5 people per square mile (271.8/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 117 housing units at an average density of 442.7 per square mile (173.7/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the town was 83.06% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 10.93% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.19% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.19% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.64% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.83% of the population.


==Highways==
There were 88 households, out of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.3% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.69.
The main road serving Washington is [[U.S. Route 211 Business (Washington, Virginia)|U.S. Route 211 Business]]/[[U.S. Route 522 Business (Washington, Virginia)|U.S. Route 522 Business]]. This road follows Warren Avenue, Middle Street, and Main Street through the town and is the old alignment of [[U.S. Route 211]], which now passes just southeast of the town limits. Via US 211 and US 522, US 211 Bus/US 522 Bus provides access to [[Luray, Virginia|Luray]] to the west, [[Culpeper, Virginia|Culpeper]] to the south, [[Warrenton, Virginia|Warrenton]] to the east and [[Front Royal, Virginia|Front Royal]] to the north.


==Notes==
In the town, the population was spread out, with 14.2% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 37.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 72.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 68.8 males.
{{reflist|group=note}}


==References==
The [[median income]] for a household in the town was $53,125, and the median income for a family was $61,250. Males had a median income of $40,417 versus $19,063 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $29,265. About 5.8% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.1% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.
{{reflist}}


==External links==
[[File:2018-10-10 16 50 21 View east along U.S. Route 211 Business and north along U.S. Route 522 Business (Main Street) at Mount Prospect Lane in Washington, Rappahannock County, Virginia.jpg|thumb|left|View east along US 211 Bus and north along US 522 Bus in Washington]]
*[https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/va0881/ Court Green Area Survey (Street Scene), Washington, Rappahannock County, VA]: 1 photo at [[Historic American Buildings Survey]]
*Topographic map of the Washington Historic District [https://www.topozone.com/virginia/rappahannock-va/park/washington-historic-district/ Washington Historic District Topo Map AR, Hempstead County (Washington Area)]


{{National Register of Historic Places in Virginia}}
==Transportation==
{{Rappahannock County, Virginia|state=collapsed}}
The main road serving Washington is [[U.S. Route 211 Business (Washington, Virginia)|U.S. Route 211 Business]]/[[U.S. Route 522 Business (Washington, Virginia)|U.S. Route 522 Business]]. This road follows Warren Avenue and Main Street through the town and is the old alignment of [[U.S. Route 211]] and [[U.S. Route 522 in Virginia|U.S. Route 522]], which now passes just southeast of the town limits. Via US 211 and US 522, US 211 Bus/US 522 Bus provides access to [[Luray, Virginia|Luray]] to the west, [[Culpeper, Virginia|Culpeper]] to the south, [[Warrenton, Virginia|Warrenton]] to the west and [[Front Royal, Virginia|Front Royal]] to the north.


{{commons category|Washington, Virginia}}
==Notable residents==
*[[Sidney Gottlieb]], CIA official<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Bart |date=March 11, 1999 |title=CIA Official Sidney Gottlieb, 80, Dies |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1999/03/11/cia-official-sidney-gottlieb-80-dies/4f667e7a-58cc-4abf-b1de-14db608dc850/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 15, 2015}}</ref>
*[[Neil Hagerty]] and [[Jennifer Herrema]] of the band [[Royal Trux]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Dugan |first=John |date=June 3, 2015 | title=A Wide-Ranging Interview With Neil Michael Hagerty and Jennifer Herrema of Royal Trux |url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2015/06/03/a-wide-ranging-interview-with-neil-michael-hagerty-and-jennifer-herrema-of-royal-trux |website=Chicago Reader |access-date=November 10, 2017}}</ref>

==References==
<references />


{{commons category|Washington, Virginia}}
{{Rappahannock County, Virginia}}
{{Rappahannock County, Virginia}}
{{Virginia towns}}
{{Virginia towns}}
{{Virginia county seats and independent cities}}

{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Washington, Virginia| ]]
[[Category:Washington, Virginia]]
[[Category:Historic districts in Rappahannock County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Historic districts in Northern Virginia]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Rappahannock County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Historic American Buildings Survey in Virginia]]
[[Category:Greek Revival architecture in Virginia]]
[[Category:County seats in Virginia]]
[[Category:County seats in Virginia]]
[[Category:Towns in Rappahannock County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Towns in Rappahannock County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Towns in Virginia]]

Latest revision as of 11:04, 4 June 2024

Washington, Virginia
Town
Location of Washington within Rappahannock County
Location of Washington within Rappahannock County
Washington, Virginia is located in Virginia
Washington, Virginia
Washington, Virginia
Location within the Commonwealth of Virginia
Washington, Virginia is located in the United States
Washington, Virginia
Washington, Virginia
Washington, Virginia (the United States)
Coordinates: 38°42′46″N 78°9′34″W / 38.71278°N 78.15944°W / 38.71278; -78.15944
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountyRappahannock
Established as a town by the Virginia General Assembly1796
Named forGeorge Washington
Government
 • TypeMayor and Town Council
Area
[1]
 • Total0.26 sq mi (0.68 km2)
 • Land0.26 sq mi (0.68 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
682 ft (208 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total86
 • Density330/sq mi (130/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
22747
Area code540
FIPS code51-83248
WebsiteOfficial Website

The town of Washington, Virginia, is a historic village located in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park.  The entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district, Washington Historic District. It is the county seat of Rappahannock County, Virginia.

The town was established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly in 1796 and as the county seat of Rappahannock County, Virginia, in 1833. The town was incorporated in 1894 and was rechartered by the Virginia General Assembly in 1985. A large portion of the town was designated as the Washington Historic District on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and is considered to be the best preserved of county-seat communities in the Piedmont. The town is led by a 7-member elected Town Council composed of a mayor, a treasurer, and five other members, all of whom serve 4-year terms. The internationally recognized Inn at Little Washington is located in the town. The town combines a mixture of open spaces, residences, village commerce, tourism facilities, historic buildings, cultural offerings, and local government activities. Its population was 135 people in the 2010 census and was estimated to be 127 people in 2019. The area of the town is 182 acres (74 ha).

History

[edit]

The first recorded official document relating to the land that became the town of Washington was a land grant in the year 1735 from King George II of Great Britain to Thomas, James, and Elizabeth Kennerly.[3] The three siblings received 1,750 acres of land located "between the mountains and the fork of the Rushy River," in what was then Orange County, for importing six people into the colony of Virginia, payment of seven pounds five shillings of "good and lawful money," and an annual fee of one shilling for every fifty acres of land. At this time there were virtually no Native Americans in the area and the way was open to English settlement of the Piedmont region of Virginia.[4]

In 1745, the Kennerlys divided their land into three parts. Thomas received the central part, adjacent to and south of the Rush River and containing the land that would become the town of Washington.[5] Thomas sold his land to Henry Gambill in 1753 and moved to South Carolina.[6] Gambill divided the land: in 1754 he sold the western part, which contained what became the western portion of the town of Washington, to John Minor; in 1761 he gave the eastern part, which contained what became the northeastern portion of the town, to his son William Gambill.[7] The border between these two parts would become part of the original road to Chester Gap and, later, Gay Street when the town of Washington was established.

These two parts were bought and sold multiple times during the next 30 years.[8] However, four important individuals acquired the land in the 1790s. In 1791 William Porter was given 247 acres of the western land, and in 1795 George Calvert purchased 230 acres of the adjacent eastern land.[9] During 1792–1795, Porter sold 2 acres to James Wheeler, 2 acres to James Jett Jr., and 6 acres to George Calvert, all of which were located on land that became the town of Washington.[10] Only a few buildings were mentioned in these deeds; these included Wheeler's storehouse, Jett's store, and a schoolhouse, located along the road to Chesters Gap. The rest of the land was apparently only farmland owned by Porter and by Calvert.

On November 1, 1796, George Calvert, James Jett Jr., and James Wheeler petitioned the Virginia General Assembly to "establish a town by the name of Washington on twenty five acres of land of your said petitioners".[11] The General Assembly responded by passing an act on December 14, 1796, establishing thirteen new towns in Virginia, one of which was the town of Washington.[12] One year later, Calvert, Jett, Wheeler, and William Porter sent a second petition to the General Assembly of Virginia, asking that part of Porter's land be added to the town.[13] A plan of the proposed streets and lots of the town was attached to the petition; four of the six streets were named after the four petitioners. On December 25, 1797, the General Assembly approved this request.[14] The local legend that George Washington surveyed and laid out the town in 1749 is believed to have been created from fictitious documents in 1932.[15]

The historic Avon Hall home

The trustees of the new town of Washington quickly proceeded to sell the fifty-one lots of the town. In 1803 Mrs. Anne Cox established a tavern in the center of town; this building survives today as the gift shops of The Inn at Little Washington. Mary Resor also established a tavern, on Gay Street, which was next owned by George Thorn and later became the home "Avon Hall." The Washington post office was situated in the town by 1804 and still remains in the town. The town became known as "Little Washington" as early as 1804, to distinguish it from the new capital of Washington, D.C. located only 70 miles to the northeast.[16]

The courthouse of Washington, Virginia, constructed in 1833-1834

In 1833, Rappahannock County was created from part of Culpeper County and the town of Washington was selected to be the county seat.[17] The courthouse and Court Clerk's office were constructed by Malcolm F. Crawford of Albemarle County in 1833-1834 and the jail was built by John W. Fant of Shenandoah County in 1833–1836.[18] The town was governed by a 7-member Board of Trustees. As the town prospered and grew in importance as the seat of government of Rappahannock County, new homes were constructed, and businesses were established to serve the town and the county. Two schools were created in the town to provide private education in the years before the Commonwealth of Virginia instituted public education. The Washington Presbyterian church was built in 1856–1858, Trinity Episcopal church in 1857, Washington Baptist church in 1875, the black American First Baptist church in 1881, and the Washington Methodist church in 1890. The Blue Ridge Guide newspaper served the town and the county from 1886 to 1936.[19]

In 1894, the town was incorporated by an act of the Virginia General Assembly and governance of the town was vested in a council of seven members.[20] The Rappahannock National Bank was established in the town in 1903, and electricity and telephones were introduced in the 1920s. Thornton's garage was constructed in the middle of town; this became The Inn at Little Washington in 1978. Partlow's General Store was created in the town in the early 1900s, Stuart's merchandise store in 1908, and Lea Brothers Store in 1928. A new water system was constructed for the town in the mid-1930s through Franklin Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration, and a volunteer fire department was created at that time. In the later 1930s, caravans of tourists began visiting the town on their way to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. A major event heralded the beginning of the second half of the 20th century with the election of seven women to serve as the Town Council of Washington, replacing the seven men who had comprised the council. Nationwide publicity was given to the election and to the town (nicknamed "She-town" temporarily). These women accomplished a great deal to improve the ambiance and governance of the town. Over the next 50 years, the town flourished because of the influx of tourism, with many new stores, art galleries, restaurants, and overnight lodging. The weekly Rappahannock News newspaper was begun. Two performance arts theaters and a public library were established in the town.

The log cabin at 322 Main Street, considered to be one of the earliest buildings constructed in the town

In 1975, the town was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "Washington Historic District", and the Town Council passed an ordinance establishing a review board charged with preserving the town's historic character. (More below.)

The Inn at Little Washington at Christmastime

One of the most important events in the modern history of the town is the opening of The Inn at Little Washington in 1978. This restaurant and inn celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018 and has gained national and international fame. It is a member of the luxury hotel association, Relais & Châteaux. It is the first inn to receive the Mobil Travel Guide's 5-Star award, and it has been rated by the American Automobile Association with 5 diamonds for its restaurant and 5 diamonds for its overnight lodging for 28 years. In 2001, the owner and chef of the Inn, Patrick O'Connell, was given the prestigious Outstanding Chef in America Award. La Liste, the French guide to the world's best restaurants, ranked the Inn as the fifth highest rated restaurant in the world.[21] The Inn attracts a discerning clientele from Washington, D.C., and its suburbs. Largely due to the Inn's influence, the town is also home to several art galleries, unique shops, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants. The town attracts art lovers, history buffs, and hikers that come into the county for day hikes or weekend camping trips.

In 1985 the town was rechartered by the Virginia General Assembly. By this new charter, the town was granted much broader powers and increased responsibilities.[22] Washington has evolved to be a safe and quiet community within the rural agricultural environment of Rappahannock County. It still has the same grid of streets and the same street names shown in the 1797 town plan. However, the 51 lots have been subdivided extensively and the boundaries of the town have been significantly enlarged, from the original 25 acres to 182.0171 acres.[23] The town is a community without any large commercial businesses or heavy industry. It is governed by a 7-member Town Council guided by the town's Comprehensive Plan, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and town ordinances.

Washington Historic District

[edit]
Washington Historic District
Washington, Virginia is located in Virginia
Washington, Virginia
Washington, Virginia is located in the United States
Washington, Virginia
LocationTown of Washington, Virginia
Coordinates38°42′51″N 78°09′34″W / 38.71417°N 78.15944°W / 38.71417; -78.15944
Area180 acres (73 ha)
BuiltCirca 1800 to 1945
Built byMalcolm F. Crawford, James Leake Powers, multiple other builders
Architectural styleEarly Republic, Greek Revival, Jeffersonian, multiple other styles
NRHP reference No.75002033
VLR No.322-0011
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMay 28, 1975; amended November 21, 2006
Designated VLRApril 15, 1975; amended September 6, 2006

"Washington Historic District" was added to the Virginia Landmarks Register and to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The historic district comprises the entire corporate boundaries of the town (180 acres).[note 1] However, most of the historic structures are clustered within the 30-acre core of the town established in 1796-1797 by George Calvert, James Jett Jr., James Wheeler, and William Porter.[24]

At that time, the Town Council passed a Historic District Ordinance which established a Historic District Architectural Review Board.[25] The historic district encompassed the entire town and many properties were considered as contributing to the historic nature of the town. The Town Council's actions were intended to protect and preserve the historic nature of the town. A resurvey of the town was conducted in 2004–2005. In 2006, an amendment was made to the town's historic district designation, extending the period of historic significance to 1945, and the amendment was recorded on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register in 2006. A total of 159 properties are considered to contribute to the historic nature of the District.[26][27][28][29] Many of the homes and other structures from the earliest period of the town survive today.

Rappahannock County Courthouse

The chief landmark is the Rappahannock County Courthouse, a two-story Flemish-bond Jeffersonian-style building constructed in 1834-1835 by Malcolm F. Crawford of Albemarle County who had worked on construction of the University of Virginia and built the Page County Courthouse and Greene County Courthouse (both surviving and NRHP-listed), and also the courthouse of Spotsylvania County. Crawford also built the adjacent Court clerk's office (now the office of the Commissioner of Revenue). Other brick buildings in the courthouse complex are the county jail (1835–1836, constructed by John W. Fant of Stafford County) and the county treasurer's office (1857). A small frame building (1857) on the northwest corner of the complex served as the original office of the Commonwealth Attorney.[30]

Other notable buildings include the tavern and inn originally owned by Anne Coxe (circa 1800, now commercial shops); a log building that was probably one of the original dwelling houses constructed when the town was formed in 1796–1797; the country-Gothic Trinity Episcopal church (1857) and the Doric Presbyterian church (1858, now the Town Hall), both constructed by James Leake Powers; the brick Baptist church and Masonic hall (1875); and a brick Edwardian bank building (1915, now commercial offices).[31]

Numerous private homes are also part of the Washington Historic District, including the mansions Avon Hall (circa 1810, moved and enlarged in 1931), the Meadows (circa 1790), Mount Prospect (1872), The Maples (circa 1850, now a bed and breakfast establishment), and the home constructed for Edward Pendleton (circa 1800, now remodeled as overnight lodging for The Inn at Little Washington).  In addition to these large homes, there are many privately owned homes with historic significance throughout the Washington Historic District.

The town of Washington has been described as perhaps the best preserved of the county seat communities in the Virginia Piedmont.[32]

Gallery
  • View in 2020 of Mrs. Coxe's tavern, built circa 1800
    View in 2020 of Mrs. Coxe's tavern, built circa 1800
  • Rappahannock County courthouse, built 1834-1835
    Rappahannock County courthouse, built 1834-1835
  • The Avon Hall mansion
    The Avon Hall mansion
  • Rappahannock County Jail, built 1835-1836
    Rappahannock County Jail, built 1835-1836

Geography

[edit]

Washington is located at 38°42′46″N 78°9′34″W / 38.71278°N 78.15944°W / 38.71278; -78.15944 (38.712914, −78.159474).[33]

The town has a total area of 0.284 square miles (0.737 km2), all of it land except for the Avon Hall pond.[34]

The town is located on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the northern part of Shenandoah National Park.

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880254—
1890252−0.8%
190030019.0%
1910235−21.7%
1920233−0.9%
19302507.3%
1940245−2.0%
19502491.6%
19602552.4%
1970189−25.9%
198024730.7%
1990198−19.8%
2000183−7.6%
2010135−26.2%
2018 (est.)125[2]−7.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[35]

Highways

[edit]

The main road serving Washington is U.S. Route 211 Business/U.S. Route 522 Business. This road follows Warren Avenue, Middle Street, and Main Street through the town and is the old alignment of U.S. Route 211, which now passes just southeast of the town limits. Via US 211 and US 522, US 211 Bus/US 522 Bus provides access to Luray to the west, Culpeper to the south, Warrenton to the east and Front Royal to the north.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The 1975 nomination incorrectly estimated the acreage of the town to be 140 acres. The nomination document included a boundary description and a plat of the corporate limits. In 1985 a professional survey was completed which determined the town to be 180 acres - Rappahannock County, Court Clerk's Office, Plat Book 4, p. 68

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2018 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  3. ^ Library of Virginia, Virginia Colonial Land Office Patent Book No. 15, 1732–1735, pp. 531-532
  4. ^ Maureen I. Harris, Washington, Virginia, a History, 1735-2018 (KDP Publishing, Amazon.com, 2019), pp. 9-11
  5. ^ Orange County Deed Book 10, p. 278
  6. ^ Culpeper County Deed Book B, pp. 70-74
  7. ^ Culpeper County Deed Book B, pp. 132–135, and Deed Book C, pp. 609-610
  8. ^ Maureen I. Harris, "History of the Land and the People who Founded the Town of Washington, Virginia, 1735–1833," Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 53, No. 1, 2015, pp. 64-70
  9. ^ Culpeper County Deed Book Q, pp. 387–388, and Deed Book S, pp. 170-172
  10. ^ Culpeper County Deed Book R, pp. 35-36 and pp. 333–334, and Deed Book S, pp. 278-280 and pp. 99-100
  11. ^ Library of Virginia, Petitions of Culpeper County to the Virginia General Assembly, www.virginiamemory.com/collections/petitions
  12. ^ Samuel Shepherd, The Statutes at Large of Virginia, from October Session 1792 to December Session 1806, Inclusive, in Three Volumes, (New Series), Being a Continuation of Hening, vol. II (New York: AMS Press, 1836), pp. 29-32
  13. ^ Library of Virginia, Petitions of Culpeper County to the General Assembly of Virginia,  www.virginiamemory.com/collections/petitions
  14. ^ Samuel Shepherd, The Statutes at Large of Virginia, from October Session 1792 to December Session 1806, Inclusive, in Three Volumes, (New Series), Being a Continuation of Hening, vol. II (New York: AMS Press, 1836), p. 131
  15. ^ Eugene M. Scheel, "Putting Little Washington on the Map," The Portolan Journal of the Washington Map Society, No. 54, 2002, pp. 37-39; Maureen I. Harris, Washington, Virginia, a History, 1735-2018 (KDP Publishing, Amazon.com., 2019), Appendix 4
  16. ^ The Journals and Letters of Francis Asbury, vol. II (London, Epworth Press, 1958), p. 447
  17. ^ Acts of the Virginia General Assembly, Chapter 73 for the year 1833; Rappahannock County Deed Book A, pp. 24-29
  18. ^ Maureen Harris, "Will the Real Courthouse Architect Please Stand Up," Rappahannock News, June 4, 2017, and June 17, 2017; Rappahannock County Minute Book A, pp. 26 and 74
  19. ^ Maureen I. Harris, Washington, Virginia, a History, 1735-2018 (KDP Publishing, Amazon.com, 2019), pp. 45-58
  20. ^ Acts of the Virginia General Assembly, Chapter 228 for the year 1894
  21. ^ Rappahannock News, December 4, 1986; The Daily Progress, March 8, 2002; Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 12, 2005; Rappahannock News, September 20, 2018, and December 13, 2018
  22. ^ Acts of the Virginia General Assembly, Chapter 172 for the year 1985
  23. ^ Rappahannock County Instrument 990001042
  24. ^ "The 1975 nomination indicated that George Washington laid out the town in 1749; this local legend has been determined to have been created from fictitious documents in 1932 (see reference 7, Appendix 4)". Library of Virginia, Legislative Petitions Digital Collection.
  25. ^ Calder Loth, editor, The Virginia Landmarks Register (University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, 1986), p. 358; Virginia Department of Historic Resources, dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/322-0011; National Register of Historic Places, U.S. National Park Service, nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister
  26. ^ https://www.virginia.gov/historic-registers/322-0011 [permanent dead link]
  27. ^ "National Register of Historic Places - Inventory - Nomination Form" (PDF). Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  28. ^ "National Register of Historic Places- Registration Form" (PDF). Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  29. ^ Cheryl H. Shepherd, "Resurvey of the Washington Historic District 2004-05," Reconnaissance Level Survey, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Richmond, Virginia
  30. ^ Maureen I. Harris, Washington, Virginia, a History, 1735–2018 (KDP Publishing, Amazon.com, 2019), pp. 26-28, 235-239
  31. ^ Examination of Rappahannock County land records and land deeds has resulted in more accurate dates of construction for many of the buildings included in the 1975 application and the 2006 amendment. See reference 7, pp. 155-251
  32. ^ Calder Loth, editor. The Virginia Landmarks Register, 3rd edition. University Press of Virginia, 1986, p. 358
  33. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  34. ^ Rappahannock County Court Clerk, Instrument 990001042
  35. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
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