Washington County was
created in 1825, and was
nearly twice the size of the
State of Delaware,
stretching all the way to
the Gulf of Mexico. After a
century of boundary shifts,
the county, with over
382,000 acres of rolling
hills covered with thick
stately pines and mixed
hardwood forests, now covers
a vast portion of the
central Florida Panhandle.
Over a span of more than 150
years, Washington County has
seen Native American,
Spanish and English cultural
influences.
Named after George
Washington, the areas was
first settled by those
seeking both economic and
political freedoms in this
frontier land of vast timber
and mineral resources.
Inland waterway
transportation brought about
heavy river settlements. The
arrival of railroads in the
late 1800's boosted
economic, social and
political developments.
Vernon, the geographical
center of the county,
derives its name from George
Washington's Virginia home,
Mt. Vernon. The pioneer town
was also the site of major
Indian settlement. The
county courthouse was
located in Vernon during the
early part of this century
until a railroad town in
northeastern Washington
County, Chipley, became the
new and present county seat
in 1927.
Founded about 1882,
Chipley was named for
railroad pioneer William
Dudley Chipley. It grew up
as many towns did along the
railroad in the late 1800's,
serving as as watering
station for the steam-driven
locomotives. Economic growth
in communities such as
Caryville, Chipley, Ebro,
Vernon, and Wausau developed
around forestry industries,
such as milling, turpentine
production and naval stores.
Agriculture, livestock,
poultry and agribusiness
were strong aspects of the
maturing economic scene.
Hundreds of lakes and
clear streams, green
forests, and unspoiled land
are home for a variety of
wildlife. These peaceful
surroundings offer abundant
hunting and fishing grounds.
Boating and water skiing are
favorite pastimes of many
residents with Falling
Waters State Recreation Area
drawing participants in
hiking, swimming, camping,
photography, and picnicking.
