Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 14 · column 4 of 4 · from the scan, no model involved
nal as made by George Washington."
According to Mr. Baggarly, "experts have identified the paper on which it is drawn from its texture and finish, as having been manufactured prior to the year 1750."
The Historical Society has old maps, one noting a Kennedy’s Mill where Washington is now. but another calling the location Washington. It seems a population of at least 200 gives some support to the claim that the town is considerably older than the 1796 date.
At the time Mr. Baggarly's pamphlet was printed in 1949, Washington had a population of "nearly 500 with five churches, two auditoriums, three general metcantile stores, a National Bank, hotel, two wayside restaurants, 10 tourist homes, three garages with ladies rest rooms, county court buildings, a Mason Hall and the Washington High School with an attandance of over 200, a barber shop and many other business places."
In 1996 the number of churches has been reduced as the Methodist Church has become Ki Theatre and the Presbyterian Church became first the library and now the Town Hall.
General Mercantile stores have been replaced by stores catering primarily to tourists. Tourist homes have been replaced by more expensive bed and breakfast businesses.
The former school once more houses children as the Child Care and Learning Center leases part of it for an after school program, but it is also a Senior Citizens Center. The National Bank remains, at least for the time being, and the Masonic Hall still shares space with the Washington Baptist Church.
The hotel is gone, but "Mrs. Coxe's Tavern" opened recently in the same location, one of the few buildings in what became Washginton, Virginia, that was already there when the young surveyor first ventured into this part of the Commonwealth. One of the former garages is now the location of the world famous Inn at Little Washington.
The list of businesses in town in 1949 clearly indicates that Washington, Virginia, was then as it is now, a community dedicated to providing tourists seeking relief from that other Washington with comfortable lodging and good food in a setting of unsurpassed beauty.
86.9%