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Archiver > PAWASHIN > 1999-12 > 0944790182


From: Ken Foster <>
Subject: Re: [PAWASHIN-L] The Washington Co., name
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 20:43:02 -0500


>I am working on my family history and am in need of determining where
>Washington Co., PA acquired it's name. Any help in this matter would be
>greatly appreciated.

It seems according to local legend, that because there was a stream running
through town, that the locals got together and built one of the earliest
laundries in Pennsylvania. This was modeled after many of the french
"laundrys" found in medieval France. There is a large flat outcropping of
rocks along the stream where many of the local ladies gathered to do their
washing. Of course durning inclimate weather, it was virtually unuseable,
so the local men gathered and built a log shed thus roofing the laundry
area of the river. This idea was undoubtably brought to the area by the
earliest French explorers and trappers, of which many settled in the area.
Over time, ladies began to come into the small settlement to do their
weekly wash. Thus the term "Wash-in-Town". The local "washing-spot"
became quite infamous, and it's popularity spread throughout the region.
Tuesdays evolved into Washintown day....eventually the "W" was dropped from
the name through local queloquialisms, and thus became the town of
Washington.

Sincerly,

Ken Foster

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