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 Click inside Interactive Map
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Town of Washington, Virginia |
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The Town of Washington is located on the site of a trading post that served frontier families and members of the Manohoac tribe. The village was officially established as a Town by the General Assembly on December 14, 1795, having achieved the necessary population of 200 people. In 1835, the Gazetteer noted that the town now contained one academy, fifty-five dwellings, four mercantile stores, two taverns, one house of worship, twenty-seven trade shops, and two large flour mills.
During the Civil War, a home on Main Street was used as a Confederate Hospital. The town continued to grow in the subsequent years, and in the early-1900s the population was nearly 500, supporting businesses such as three garages and a barber shop.
In the late 1800s when railroads became the main instrument of trade, the main east-west railway route was constructed north of town through the more accessible Thoroughfare Gap. Washington was bypassed by this industrialization, which leaves the town you visit now remarkably similar to the one of 150 years ago. |
Documents & Records |
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Comprehensive Plan 2006
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Meeting Minutes 2007 |
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Meeting Minutes 2006 |
Feb-8-2006-Approved-Minutes
March-8-2006-approved-Minutes
April-12-2006-Approved-Minutes
Apri-18-2006-Approved-Minutes
May-10-2006-Approved- Minutes
May-24-2006-Approved-Minutes
June-14-2006-Approved-Minutes |
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Meeting Minutes 2005 |
minutes_03-09-2005.html
minutes_02-14-2005.html
minutes_02-09-2005.html
minutes_01-12-2005.html
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Ordinances |
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History |
George Washington's Original Survey
The streets bear the names of the first families to own land on which the town was founded: Jett, Wheeler, Porter, and Calvert. The town was officially established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1796; there are now 28 Washingtons in the United States, but this is "The First Washington of All."
Even before George Washington laid out its streets and gave it his name, the town was a thriving frontier trading post with nearby Indian villages. The area appealed to early frontiersmen largely because the Blue Ridge Mountains afforded it natural protection from both enemies and storms. These frontiersmen built structures to house themselves and their business, and some of these homes still stand.
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Town of Washington Monument
The Town of
Washington, Virginia
The First
Washington of All
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Surveyed and Platted by
George Washington
with the assistance of
John Lonem and
Edward Corder, as chainmen
August 4, 1749
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Organized and Established
as a Town by the
General Assembly of Virginia
December 14, 1796
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Incorporated as a
Municipality by the
General Assembly of Virginia
February 12, 1894
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Confederate Monument
THIS MONUMENT
was erected through the efforts
and consecrated devotion
of the local chapter of the
DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY
and other votaries
of Southern Chivalry
a tribute of honor and affectionate
regard for the unwavering patriotism
faultless fealty and dauntless courage
of the heroic men from
Rappahannock County
who so faithfully served their cause and
country in the War Between the States
(Underneath the obelisk are listed four major battles, a motto, and a list of names or companies. These are: Chancellorsville with the motto "Sacred Martyrs," Manassas with the motto "Heroes of Rappahannock", Cold Harbor "Hallowed Names," and Wilderness "Deathless Dead."
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Confederate Monument (Robert E. Lee side)
The world shall yet decide
In truth's clear, far-off light
That those who served with Lee as guide
Were heroes in the Right
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Historic Washington Virginia Plaque
Of the 28 Washingtons in the United States, the "records very conclusivley disclose" that this town, "the first washington of all", was surved and platted by George Washinton on the 24th of July (old style), 1749. He was assisted by John Lonem and Edward Corder as Chainmen. By the General Assembly of Virginia it was officially established as a town in 1796 and incorporated in 1894.
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About Rappahannock County |
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Rappahannock County
Washington is flanked by the rolling hills of what is now Rappahannock County. Its early settlers were small farmers who constantly encroached upon the Indian lands of the region. These settlers were mostly English, but there were also those of Scotch, Irish and German extraction. The present county was originally under the authority of Lord Fairfax. Rappahannock was designated a distinct county in 1833 and took its name from the river that has its source in nearby mountain springs. Today, the County retains its rustic charm, hosting 5 wineries, 16 orchards/nurseries, and over a dozen commercial farms.
Out of the eight shires into which the Colony of Virginia was divided in its early days, Rappahannock County was formed in 1833 and took its name from the river which has her source in its mountain springs. Washington was designated the county seat that same year, and many of the town's brick buildings were constructed in this time period. |
Government & Services |
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#37 on Interactive Map
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Washington Town Hall
485 Gay Street
P.O. Box 7
Washington, Virginia 22747
540.675.3128
town.washington.va.us
admin_assistant@town.washington.va.us
Circa 1857, built as a Presbyterian Church.
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Eugene Leggett |
Mayor |
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Jerry Goebel |
Treasurer |
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| Alice Butler |
Town Council Member |
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Jeff Benson |
Town Council Member |
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Claudia Mitchell |
Town Council Member |
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Jean F. Goodine |
Town Council Member |
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John Fox Sullivan |
Town Council Member |
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John Bennett
306 North West St.
Culpeper, VA 22701
540.825.3838
540.825.5696 Fax |
Town Attorney |
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Laura Dodd
PO Box 7
Washington, VA 22747
540.675.3128
540.675.1742 Fax |
Administrative Assistant
Town Clerk |
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Patrick O'Connell |
Chairperson, Architectural Review Board |
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Michelle Schwartz |
Secretary, Architectural Review Board |
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Charlie Kevis |
Member, Architectural Review Board |
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Susan Babcock |
Member, Architectural Review Board |
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Jay Brown |
Member, Architectural Review Board |
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Gary Schwartz |
Chairperson, Planning Commission |
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Jean Goodine |
Member, Planning Commission |
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Mary Ann Kuhn |
Member, Planning Commission |
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Kevin Adams |
Member, Planning Commission |
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Mitzie Young |
Member, Planning Commission |
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Rappahannock County Administration
290 Gay Street
PO Box 519
Washington, Virginia 22747
540.675.5330
540.675.5331 Fax
Rappahannock County is in the northern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Washington, the County seat, is about 65 miles southwest of Washington, DC, and 120 miles northwest of Richmond, the State Capitol.
http://www.rappahannockcountyva.gov
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#26 on Interactive Map
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Rappahannock County Courthouse
250 Gay Street
Washington, Virginia 22747
Combined District Court
250C Gay Street
PO Box 206
Washington, Virginia 22747
540.675.5356
Circuit Court
238 Gay Street
PO Box 517
Washington, Virginia 22747
540.675.5350
Built in 1835 by Malcolm Crawford, who apprenticed under Thomas Jefferson.
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#25 on Interactive Map |
Rappahannock County Sheriff's Office and Jail
383 Porter Street
P.O. Box 487
Washington, Virginia 22747
540.675.5300
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#38 on Interactive Map |
Rappahannock County Library
4 Library Road
P.O. Box 55
Washington, Virginia 22747
540.675.3780
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Rappahannock County Department of Social Services
Beverly Leathers, Director
354 Gay Street
P.O. Box 87
Washington, Virginia 22747
540.675.3113
540.675.3315 Fax
jwal57@northern.dss.state.va.us
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Rappahannock County Health Department
491-A Main Street
PO Box 5
Washington, Virginia 22747
540.675.3516
Office hours 8:00am to 4:30pm daily, closed all legal holidays.
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Virginia Cooperative Extension, Rappahannock County
Kenner Love
311-G Gay Street
P.O. Box 119
Washington, Virginia 22747
540.675.3619
http://offices.ext.vt.edu/rappahannock
Agriculture and natural resources/family and consumer sciences/4-H Youth Development. Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm.
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