Washington County hosts vast opportunities for residents and visitors. Enjoy historical sites, arts and entertainment venues, 23 covered bridges, minor league baseball, harness racing, antiquing and much, much more.In 1781, Washington County became the first county in the United States of America to be named in honor of General George Washington. Washington County was formed to allow "the inhabitants of the area west of the Monongahela River to have more convenient courts and public offices, rather than the inconvenience and hardship of being so far remote from the seat of justice" (Preamble of Legislation creating Washington County, March 28, 1781). Shortly thereafter, Canonsburg was chartered in 1802 and remains the county's oldest borough. Washington County indeed has a proud historic heritage. Through excavations at the site, it is known that the first "citizens" of Washington County arrived several thousand years ago. In early colonial times the county was roamed by French fur traders and George Washington campaigned through the area during the French and Indian War. A log structure built in 1787 served as the first county courthouse in the town of Basset, later renamed Washington.
The Whiskey Rebellion, one of the most famous events of early American history, took place in Washington County. Governor Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee, father of Civil War General Robert E. Lee, smashed the rebellion when he led Federal troops into Washington and Allegheny Counties. The whiskey rebels finally disbanded in the City of Monongahela, located in the county on the banks of the Monongahela River. Built in 1788, Bradford's main street residence in the City of Washington remains a historical site maintained by the David Bradford House Association. Another tourist attraction preserved by the Washington County Historical Society is the residence of Dr. Francis J. LeMoyne, a leading abolitionist and founder of the Western Abolition Society in 1824. The Western Abolition Society also founded the Underground Railroad, which surfaced in such places as West Middletown and Washington where the LeMoyne House remains today as a legacy to the Civil War. Dr. LeMoyne also constructed the first crematory in the United States. Built in 1875, Dr. Lemoyne and 42 other people were cremated over a period of 24 years at the crematory located in the City of Washington.
Numerous antique shops and historical points of interest such as the Century Inn of Scenery Hill-the oldest hostelry along National Pike-is still located along Route 40. During the first half of the 19th century scattered settlements grew into boroughs and townships. "Farmers became business leaders; business leaders became civic leaders; town councils were formed; volunteer fire departments were organized; and the Washington County citizen became more aware of the outside world as newspapers began circulation in the new-formed municipalities." (Washington County - "…A 200-year Reflection") Coal was discovered near the Monongahela River, which became a principal passage to ports within the U.S., its territories and foreign markets. As railroads worked their way westward, Washington County's economic prosperity was assured in 1849 by the opening of a telegraph office in the county seat. The very nature of Washington County's industrial foundations (coal, steel, glass & oil) allowed the county to prosper and grow. At the turn of the century many of Washington County's communities had electric streetlights, streetcars and the "horseless carriage." This prosperity propelled the Monongahela River town of Charleroi into the fifth largest retail hub in Pennsylvania, where today people still shop in the collection of quaint stores that provide unusual and often homemade products unavailable elsewhere in the region.
Education has always been an important part of the county's history. California University of Pennsylvania began as an academy more than 140 years ago. In 1928, the academy was transformed into the institution of the California State Teachers College. Then, in 1959, the teacher's college became California State College and in 1983 it became California University of Pennsylvania. Washington & Jefferson College was founded in 1781. It is the oldest college west of the Allegheny Mountains and the 11th oldest in America. Today, Washington County has again transformed into an economy based on diverse industries such as high technology and advanced manufacturing. However, many of the qualities that attracted the original settlers to the county remain for residents and visitors to enjoy.
