Washington dates to 1824, and 3 of its places are on the National Register
Most of Washington was built recently: 3% of its homes predate 1940 and the median home dates from 1984.
How Washington began
When was Washington founded?
Washington dates its founding to 1824 (Wikidata). Its post office opened in 1820.
3 historic places in Washington
The country’s official list of buildings and places worth saving. One is a National Historic Landmark, the highest tier.
★ Landmark
National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each place’s page.
3 famous people were born in Washington
Writers, athletes, leaders and more, ranked by how widely they’re known.
Lost post offices
Washington’s post office has been open since 1839. Another post office, Hempstead Court House, opened and closed inside today’s town.
US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock, CC0). Places and cemeteries from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).
Questions about Washington’s history
What year was Washington founded?
In 1824, according to Wikidata. Washington’s post office opened in 1820.
What is on the National Register in Washington?
Three places: the Confederate State Capitol (listed 1972), the Goodlett Gin (1975) and the Washington Confederate Monument (1996).
Memory lane
What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.
Where this page comes from
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →
From the National Register of Historic Places (3), Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock) and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.