Washington County, Ohio

American Union Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. B&O Harmar Bridge Barber House Bathsheba Rouse Belpre Belpre and the Ohio River Belpre Veterans Memorial Betsey Mills Club Boiler Point Bosworth-Biszantz House Buckley House C. William O'Neill Campus Martius Campus Martius Captain Gordon C. Greene / Captain Mary Becker Greene Catherine Fay Ewing / Frances Dana Gage Cedarville Cemetery Celoron de Blainville Charlie Schob Discovery Garden Children’s Home Christ United Methodist Church Cisler Terrace City Hall Colonel Jesse Hildebrand Covered Bridges Devol's Floating Mill Discovery Garden Early Ohio Artists Ephraim Cutler Farmer's Castle Fearing House First Baptist Church First Congregational Church Flatboats Flood Heights Fort Frye Fort Harmar Fortified Settlement Frontier Boat Launch General Arthur St. Clair George Washington God Bless Our United States Veterans Harmar Lodge No. 390 Harmar Post Office Hippodrome & Colony Theatres House of Seven Porches Hurricane Ivan James Riggs Family Lafayette Land Office Lewis and Clark Expedition / Letter to the President Life on the River / Boats on the Ohio Lockmaster’s House Lowell Veterans Memorial Marietta’s Historic Corner Matamoras World War I Monument Meigs House Memorial Garden Memorial to the Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Marietta Memorial to the “Start Westward of the United States” Merydith House Mighty River / Learning the River Mill Branch Covered Bridge Mills House Mound Square Muskingum Academy / Marietta College Muskingum Park Muskingum River Underground Railroad / Marietta Leaders of the Underground Railroad Northwest Ordinance Sesquicentennial Columns Ohio National Guard Armory Ohio River Sternwheel Festival Oldest Pilothouse Oweva Engine P.C. Fisher Boots & Shoes Pioneer Families of the Ohio Company Pioneer Marietta Pratt-McGirr House Putnam Family Library / Belpre Farmers' Library Rinard Covered Bridge III River Town / Sails and Steam / The Highway West Round Bottom Schoolhouse / Round Bottom Cemetery Rufus Dawes House Rufus Putnam Well S. Durward Hoag Sacra Via Schoonover Shanty Boat Sewah Studios Shipbuilding Shipman-Mills House Site of the United States Fort Harmar Southern Boundary Picketed Point St. Luke's Episcopal Church St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church St. Paul’s Church Steam Towboat "W. P. Snyder, Jr." The American Union Lodge No. 1 Free and Accepted Masons The Birth Place The Buckeye Belle Explosion The Castle The Devola Lock The Forty-Eight Pioneers The Hills Covered Bridge The Hippodrome/Colony Historic Theatre The Holden House / The Shipman House The Hune Covered Bridge The Northwest Ordinance, 1787 / The Ohio Company Purchase The Ohio River’s Wild Side The Peninsula The President’s Home of Marietta College The Public Landing The Towboat W. P. Snyder Jr. The W. P. Snyder Jr. Tour of the Snyder Underground Railroad Crossings / Near Border War Unitarian Church Washington County Veterans Memorial Water Power on the Muskingum River Wendelkens Grocery William Pitt Richardson
Located in the southeastern region of Ohio, Washington County has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Adena and Hopewell cultures, who left behind numerous earthworks and burial mounds. European settlement began in the late 18th century, with the establishment of Marietta, which became the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory in 1788.

During the early years of settlement, the region experienced conflicts between Native American tribes and settlers. The Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 marked a turning point, leading to the Treaty of Greenville and the ceding of Native American lands in the area. This allowed for further growth and development of the region. Washington County became an important center for agriculture, trade, and river transportation due to its location along the Ohio River, with Marietta serving as a key trading port.

In the 19th century, Washington County played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, with various anti-slavery activists and abolitionists providing refuge and assistance to freedom seekers. The county also experienced economic advancements during this period, with the development of industries such as oil, iron, and salt. Oil was discovered in the area in the late 19th century, leading to a boom in oil production and the establishment of refineries.

In the 20th century, Washington County continued to evolve, with the growth of manufacturing and tourism industries. The area's historical significance remains cherished, with various historic sites and landmarks showcasing its rich past. Today, Washington County is a vibrant community that blends its historical heritage with modern amenities, offering a diverse range of recreational activities, cultural events, and a strong sense of community pride.
Brief timeline of the history of Washington County, Ohio:

  • 1788: Washington County, Ohio, was established as the first county in the Northwest Territory.
  • 1789: Marietta, the first permanent settlement in Ohio, was founded in Washington County.
  • 1792: The Ohio Company's purchase of land in Washington County brought many new settlers to the area.
  • 1796: Ohio became a state, and Washington County was divided into multiple counties.
  • Early 1800s: Washington County thrived as a center of agriculture, trade, and industry.
  • Early 1900s: Oil and gas production boomed in the county, bringing economic growth.
  • Mid-1900s: Washington County faced economic decline due to the decline of manufacturing industries.
  • 21st Century: The county has focused on revitalization efforts, tourism, and diversification of the economy.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Washington County, Ohio.