When most people hear the name “Washington,” they think of the nation’s capital or America’s first president. But Maryland made history by creating the first county in the United States to bear George Washington’s name.

Washington County was officially established on September 6, 1776, just two months after the Declaration of Independence was adopted. At the time, George Washington wasn’t president—he was serving as commander of the Continental Army and leading the colonies through the early stages of the Revolutionary War. His leadership had already earned him widespread admiration, and Maryland lawmakers chose to honor him even as the war’s outcome remained uncertain.

That decision made Washington County a trailblazer. It became the first county in America named for George Washington, years before he would become the nation’s first president in 1789. In fact, it predates both Washington, D.C., and Washington State, making the county one of the earliest examples of Americans commemorating a national hero.

The county is home to some of Maryland’s most significant historical landmarks, including the famed Antietam battlefield, where one of the Civil War’s most pivotal battles took place. Visitors can also explore charming towns, scenic mountain views, sections of the Appalachian Trail, and the historic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

250 years after its founding, Washington County remains a place where American history comes alive. Its connection to George Washington serves as a reminder that Maryland honored the future president long before the rest of the nation did.

If you would like your county featured in Fun Facts, please get in touch with Abbey Duncan at aduncan@mdcounties.org