History of Washington: Part I | Eastern NC Now

Washington's Scars and Jubilations

    Over 10,000 citizens reside throughout the city of Washington. A quaint feel echoes in the streets, but it also has a rich history, which most would be proud. Surviving two wars, two fires, and decades of economic growth, it's still thriving to this day.

    Click on the map for an extended view of central northeastern North Carolina.

    Although Washington is substantially larger, in 1690 the first signs of civilization began sprouting, but it didn't become official until 1770, becoming Forks of the Tar. Then, in 1776, the familiar name Washington was given to the young settlement, after famed 1st president, George Washington.

    Though General Washington was given credit for the town, Henry Somerset took the name of the county, for he was the Duke of Beaufort. The county seat also resided in Bath, the first town of Beaufort County, but once the Pamlico-Tar Rivers rose Washington's fame, it was moved there. Not only hosting the County Seat, Washington also played a critical role in the Revolutionary War, acting as a supply port for the colonies. Without Washington, or any other port town, the colonies would surely have fallen.



    The Holliday House on West Second Street under about a foot of snow on a rare heavy December snow in 1989, when the temperatures hovered around 0 degrees farenheit for about four days. The Holliday House was a Federal Headquaters / Hospital in the Civil War: Above. St. Peters Episcopal Church under a much lighter snow in 2009. This church is approaching 200 years old: Below.


    But with the help of Savannah's, Charles town's, and Wilmington's ports, as well, the colonies won the War and their Independence. Although Washington survived the Revolution, it was not so lucky through 1862, the Civil War. Federal soldiers took control of the port town, keeping it mainly out of the fight, and when the Confederacy regained control of the city, Washington was burned as the Federals left. This, in turn, destroyed much of Washington's Victorian style homes, leaving citizens to re-build their lives and town.

    After they re-built, everything began returning back to normal, but their progress lasted only 38 years before the next blaze. A flawed stove flue created the fire, which burned down most of the business district. Once subsided, the citizens were left, again, to piece their lives together, but they overcame once more. Many of the buildings were re-built, keeping the time's architecture in mind.



    Washington's steady growth has been marked by development throughout the years. In 1969 Stewart Parkway's plans sprung into action; this gave the riverside town a bulkhead and walking path beside the calm rippling Pamlico River.



    Some 9 years after, 1978, the Historic District of Washington was named, encompassing 600 homes and businesses that ranged from 1700's-1900's (most 1900). These buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Sites (NRHS), and are now part of Washington's extensive walking tour. Even though Washington seems quiet, its rich past shows through the architecture, people, and Waterfront. Next time walking through Main Street, Washington, North Carolina, look to the buildings and know that struggles and fallen brethren laid their foundation.