Washington C. H., the county seat of Fayette county, is located near the central portion of Union township, on Pain creek, and occupies a part of land entry No. 757, which consisted of twelve hundred acres and belonged to Benjamin Temple, of Logan county, Kentucky, who donated one hundred and fifty acres to Fayette county for a county town, or seat of justice.  The deed convening this land to the county was made Dec. 1, 1810, by Thomas S. Hind (through a power of attorney from Temple) to Robert Stewart, who was appointed by the Legislature of Ohio as "director of the town of Washington," and who had the town laid off sometime between Dec. 1, 1810, and Feb. 26, 1811, the latter date being the day on which the town plat was recorded.
     The name "Washington Court House" was not given to the place until later.  This was affixed in order to not confuse a town in Guernsey county, this state, with this one.  It was a quite a common custom in both Virginia and Maryland to have the affix of "C. H." to many of their county seats, and hence, as many of our early settlers came from those states, it was but natural that some such affix be made.  After the change was made it was almost universally used and not until a few years ago was there any attempt to cut off the "C. H." at the end of Washington.  Petitions were freely circulated in 1911, and an exciting campaign was had over the proposed change, but when all was over it appeared that a majority of four hundred was a favor of retaining the affix of "Court House," and so it will probably always remain.  The postal department will not admit of two offices by the same name in any one state.  At the time this county was organized there was no such law, otherwise this difficulty might all have been remedied.  A few years since the government changed the name Washington, Guernsey county, to "Old Washington," to distinguish it from the county seat of Fayette county, for much trouble arose over the distribution of mails for these two Ohio points.  The fact is, that the Ohio Legislature gave this town - the seat of justice of Fayette county - the name of "Washington," and also when it was incorporated in 1831 it was incorporated as "Washington."  So, legally, it has never had the "C. H." attached to it, but it so called by common consent.

FIRST BUSINESS EVENTS.

WASHINGTON C. H. IN 1815.

[PICTURE OF SOME WASHINGTON CHURCHES]

[COLUMBIA AND WASHINGTON AVES., WASHINGTON C. H.]

FIRST AND EARLY EVENTS.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

CITY FINANCES.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

SOME EARLY-DAY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

[PICTURE OF MAIN STREET, LOOKING WEST, WASHINGTON C. H.]

[PICTURE OF 4TH OF JULY, FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, WASHINGTON C. H. ]

OLD TIMES.

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES

INDUSTRIES OF 1901.

THE GREAT COMBINATION SALES STABLES.

PROPOSED CAR LINES

NATURAL GAS PROSPECTED FOR.

BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1913-14

THE WASHINGTON CEMETERY.

     Perhaps no one thing bespeaks more for the refinement and intelligence of  any given community than to note the interest manifested by a community in properly caring for its departed dead.  This distinguishes the savage from the enlightened and civilized peoples of the earth.  To see the living go weekly, monthly and annually to the silent city of the dead, and there smooth down the mounds, plant flowers and, with true affection and tenderness, make pleasing and attractive the graves of those who have been Christian civilization.
     Washington cemetery was platted in 1856 by Hon. James Puesell, Judge Daniel McLain, Capt. J. H. Robinson, Curren Millikan, Alfred Ogle and a few other citizens.  Land was purchased of Judge McLain.  First ten acres were set apart for burying purposes, but soon it was increased to thirty acres.  IT was surveyed and platted by Capt. John M. Bell.  Lot sold at form ten to forty dollars each.  As soon as organized by the Washington Cemetery Association, the grounds were wisely turned over, under lawful provisions, to the city and township, who have, through a board of trustees, ever since had charge of the same.  The first superintendent was W. B. Ely, who held the position many years and was succeeded by James Holmes, who held it fourteen years, up to 1897.  Under him the first real improvements upon these sacred grounds was effected.  Next came George Gossard, who made an enviable record in that he went about improving after the latest methods and put the grounds in most excellent condition.  Now one finds one of the handsomest cemetery grounds in all Ohio, outside the very large cities.  Beautiful driveways, lawns, artificial lakes, fountains rare and beautiful shrubs, trees and flowers make the place to compare very favorably with the gloomy appearance of many another Ohio burying ground.  The fountain was erected in 1892.  A good stone vault for receiving purposes is her much appreciated by those who want to inter only temporarily.  During the present year (1914) there is being finished a spacious and massive stone structure known as the Washington Memorial, which is really a modern constructed mausoleum, which is the property of a company incorporated for the purpose.
     The Doctor Judy Memorial is another improvement.  The corner stone of this building was laid with Masonic rites in October, 1905.  The address was given by Dr. J. C. Arbuckle.  Hon. Mills Gardner acted as grand master, and placed the square copper casket in the stone, after the imposing Masonic ceremonies.  The stone was then anointed with wine, corn and oil, also receiving the blessing of the grand master.  In this casket were deposited copies of the local newspapers, the Masonic calendar, a copy of the Bible, and the square and compass; Dr. Judy's diploma, a photograph and a few of his cherished relics made up the contents of the box.

POSTOFFICE HISTORY.

[PICTURE OF WENDLE MAUSOLEUM, WASHINGTON C. H.]

[PICTURE OF WASHINGTON CEMETERY SCENES]

THE CYCLONE OF 1885

LAST SWEEPING CONFLAGRATION.

PUBLIC LIBRARY.

     The Carnegie public library at Washington C. H. is another one of the institutions of the place that the people take a just pride in.  It was made possible through the gift of Andrew Carnegie, of Pittsburg.  Prior to the founding of this permanent library the city only had a small circulating library.  Agitation was first begun in 1899 and efforts were made to induce the great library giver to aid in furnishing such an institution for this city.  In 1901 the following letter was received from his agent in New York City: "A. S. Ballard, Esq., Washington Court House, Ohio;

     "Dear Sir - Replying to your letter - if the city of Washington will provide a suitable site and pledge itself by resolution of council to support a free library at a cost of $1,200 a year.  Mr. Carnegie will be pleased to provide a $12,000 room for a free library.

                                                                           "Respectfully,
                                                                              "James Bertram.
                                                                                  "P. Secretary."