Washington, Maine, a rural town of 1592 inhabitants (2020 Census up 4% from 2010; 1532), is located along state Route 17 in the northwestern corner of Knox County, between the county seat in Rockland and the state capital in Augusta.  The Nelson family first built a log cabin here in 1797 and the first frame house was constructed in 1802.  The town was incorporated in 1811 as "Putnam," named after General Israel Putnam, a Revolutionary War hero.  In 1825, the town's name was officially changed to Washington.

One early item of interest in Washington's history is the "paint mine."  There was a large deposit of red and yellow ocher found in a cave, which may have been used by people who lived here 3,000 to 5,000 years ago and used large quantities of ocher, normally red, to cover both the bodies of the dead and burial artifacts.  Archaeologists refer to these people as "Red Paint People."  The red panel at the hoist of the official Town Flag refers to these people. 

The town includes the small villages of Washington Village, West Washington, Razorville and Stickney Corner. The wooded, rolling terrain is punctuated with newer houses found among 19th century farmsteads, open hayfields and blueberry lands.  Patrick and Cunningham mountains rise in the the northwestern portion of town. Clear and pristine Washington Pond and Crystal Lake, northwest of the Village, teem with fish and wildlife.  Several smaller ponds and streams, such as Davis Stream, Little Medomak River, and Washington and Calderwood brooks, adorn our attractive rural community. Our citizens are are known for their spirit of volunteerism. We are extremely proud of our local K-6 Prescott Memorial School, Washington Historical Society, and the numerous civic and fraternal organizations that support the community.   
 
We invite everyone to stop and visit our friendly and vibrant community.  Shop in our small local businesses, dine and/or stay at Blueberry Fields Bed & Breakfast, shop at Washington General Store, camp at one of our unique summer camps, Med-O-Lark or Medomak Camp, or peruse books and find out what's going on at Gibbs Library. Recycling and trash services are provided by Tri-County Solid Waste Management Organization, (TCSWMO) at the transfer station located on Route 17 in Union.

Follow Washington Fire Department and see reports of the latest calls and other happenings from responders and the volunteers who staff your local fire service.  Washington Fire Department on Facebook.   

"Visitors of today will be our friends tomorrow."