Washington, PA
| Washington, Pennsylvania | |
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| City | |
Downtown Washington at night
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 Washington
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| Coordinates: 40°10′30″N 80°15′02″W / 40.17500°N 80.25056°WCoordinates: 40°10′30″N 80°15′02″W / 40.17500°N 80.25056°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Washington |
| Established | 1768 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Scott J. Putnam |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km2) |
| • Land | 3 sq mi (9 km2) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 13,663 |
| • Density | 5,199.2/sq mi (2,007/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP Code | 15301 |
| Area code(s) | 724 |
| Website | http://www.washingtonpa.us/ |
Washington is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Pittsburgh, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 13,663 at the 2010 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Washington has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2), all land.
Delaware Indian chief Tangooqua, commonly known as "Catfish", had a camp on a branch of Chartiers Creek, in what is now part of the city of Washington. The French labeled the area "Wissameking", meaning "catfish place", as early as 1757. The area of Washington was settled by many immigrants from Scotland and the north of Ireland along with settlers from eastern and central parts of colonial Virginia. It was first settled by colonists around 1768.
The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed an act on March 28, 1781, erecting the County of Washington and naming "Catfish Camp" as the place for holding the first election. This was the first county in the U.S. to be named in honor of General George Washington. David Hoge laid out a plan of lots immediately after the legislature's action. His original plot carried the name "Bassett, alias Dandridge Town," but before the plot was recorded, lines were drawn through "Bassett, alias Dandridge Town" with ink, and the word "Washington" was written above. There have long been rumors among locals that the town was named “Washington” because George Washington spent the night in the region once. This is not true however; Washington had never been to the area.
The original plot dedicated a tract of ground to the people for recreational purposes. A lot was given for a courthouse where the current building now stands, and Lots 43 and 102, according to the plan, were presented by Hoge to "His Excellency, General Washington, and Mrs. Washington."
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Wikipedia