Washington County

Washington County was inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans in the early 1730s. Located in the Appalachian Mountains and Great Valley section of Maryland and bound to the South by the Potomac River, the county is rich with natural resources and scenery. Fort Frederick was constructed in Washington County in 1756 during the French and Indian War, and still stands today.

Washington County was officially founded from part of Frederick County in September 1776. It is the first county in the United States named after George Washington. The county has been the center of numerous historical events, including: riots during the Whiskey Rebellion, several Civil War battles including Antietam, the site where John Brown planned his raid on Harpers Ferry, and the location of the C&O Canal Canal, National Road and railroads that each helped facilitate America’s westward expansion.

Washington County has over 30 historical sites and is home to 3 National Parks, 7 State Parks, 14 County Parks, and numerous City and Town Parks. The County is also the site of 24 stone arch bridges built between 1819 and 1863. Washington County is an inclusive place that honors its history, community, industry and faith. Many notable citizens come from Washington County including: Nathaniel Rochester the founder of Rochester, NY, Edmund McIlhenny the inventor of Tabasco Sauce, and Thomas Kennedy, a member of the House of Delegates who helped pass a bill in 1826 that extended voting rights to Jewish citizens in Maryland.