Washington, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washington, Alabama
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 Washington, Alabama
Location in Alabama
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Autauga |
| Elevation | 121 ft (37 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 147664 |
Washington was once a town in Autauga County, Alabama. It was located right by the Alabama River. Today, it's a ghost town, meaning it's abandoned and no one lives there anymore.
Washington: A Lost Town
How Washington Started
European American settlers started the town in 1817. They built it where an old Native American town called Atagi used to be. The new town was named Washington to honor George Washington, who was the first president of the United States.
In 1819, something important happened. The government of Alabama chose Washington to be the "county seat" for Autauga County. A county seat is like the main town or capital for a county. It's where the local government offices are. Because of this, Washington built a courthouse, a hotel, a jail, and a post office.
Why the Town Disappeared
Washington was the county seat until 1830. But as more people moved into the county, the government decided to move the county seat. They moved it to Kingston. Kingston was a better choice because it was closer to the middle of the county.
After the county government left, many businesses and people also moved away from Washington. By 1879, the town was completely empty. The post office in Washington operated for many years, from 1824 to 1854, but eventually it closed too.
Notable People
- Eugene Allen Smith: He was a famous geologist. Geologists study rocks and the Earth. He also served as the vice president of the Geological Society of America.
