So our story yesterday took us to Washington Courthouse. Not much there except a...Courthouse. The story wasn't that fantastic, so I'll spare you the details. The intern, Emily, was with us and asked odd, yet intriguing questions as she tends to do. This trip, she asked why people would build a town here. Ya know, for as simple a question as that is, I couldn't really answer it. I said, "well why does anyone settle anywhere?" She replied, "Water." Good answer, so I couldn't really tell you why there's a town here. It probably had something to do with some dude's wagon breaking down in the area some time ago...and instead of fixing it and moving on, why not start a town, build a courthouse, and name the town after said courthouse. Heck, lets throw our nation's first presidents name in front of it...sounds more official. I have no idea what I'm talking about. I think our intern should do some research on the town and answer her own question...for all of us.
Other than that it was a normal day. Oh yea, I bought some wine. Riunites Lambrusco(sp?). I have to say it's decently tolerable. I think I'm going to have a glass right now! Chao.
So our story yesterday took us to Washington Courthouse. Not much there except a...Courthouse. The story wasn't that fantastic, so I'll spare you the details. The intern, Emily, was with us and asked odd, yet intriguing questions as she tends to do. This trip, she asked why people would build a town here. Ya know, for as simple a question as that is, I couldn't really answer it. I said, "well why does anyone settle anywhere?" She replied, "Water." Good answer, so I couldn't really tell you why there's a town here. It probably had something to do with some dude's wagon breaking down in the area some time ago...and instead of fixing it and moving on, why not start a town, build a courthouse, and name the town after said courthouse. Heck, lets throw our nation's first presidents name in front of it...sounds more official. I have no idea what I'm talking about. I think our intern should do some research on the town and answer her own question...for all of us. 
Other than that it was a normal day. Oh yea, I bought some wine. Riunites Lambrusco(sp?). I have to say it's decently tolerable. I think I'm going to have a glass right now! Chao.
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A brief history lesson about Washington Court House.
Washington Court House is the county seat of Fayette County, Ohio. Benjamin Temple established the town in 1810. Residents named the community in honor of former President of the United States George Washington. Washington Court House has served as the county seat since the founding of Fayette County in 1810.
Washington Court House remained small for its first several decades of existence. In 1846, only ninety-seven homes existed in the town. The village also contained two churches, eight stores, two newspaper offices, two woolen mills, two grist mills, and a saw mill. Most businesses existed to meet the needs of farm families in the surrounding countryside. By 1880, the county seat had grown dramatically, claiming a population of 3,798 people. In 1886, three newspapers, three banks, and seven churches served the community. Local businesses produced soap, doors, blinds, shoes, cream, and machinery, among other items. Farmers also brought their crops and livestock to Washington Court House to sell, making the community a booming agricultural center. Unfortunately for the village, a tornado struck the community on September 8, 1885, killing six residents and resulting in 500,000 dollars in damage. The death toll was light based upon the property damage. Residents quickly rebuilt their community.
Washington Court House continued to grow during the twentieth century. With a population of 13,524 people, the village was the county's largest community in 2000. The town still serves as a destination point for farmers and their families to purchase needed supplies and to sell their crops.
-The Ohio History Encyclopedia
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