Washington County was established on Oct. 27, 1849, as one of the first nine counties in the Minnesota Territory. To mark the county’s 175th anniversary, the county board will hold a special board meeting at 9 a.m. Oct. 29 at the Washington County Historic Courthouse in Stillwater.

During the meeting, the county board will consider a 175th anniversary resolution and requests for board action from county staff. The public is invited to attend.

The Historic Courthouse, which recently underwent a massive $4.5 million exterior restoration, was built in 1870 and served as the administrative and judicial center of the county for more than 100 years.

Limited parking is available in the Historic Courthouse’s parking lot. Street parking is available.

Regular hours of operation for the Historic Courthouse, located at 101 W. Pine St., are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

For more information about the Historic Courthouse, including tour and rental information, go to www.co.washington.mn.us/2204/Historic-Courthouse, call 651-275-7075 or email parks@co.washington.mn.us.

First nine counties of Minnesota Territory

The original Wisconsin Territory extended from Lake Michigan to the Missouri River. Wisconsin became a state in 1848, and the new Minnesota Territory was created March 3, 1849.

A bill establishing the first counties in Minnesota Territory passed on Oct. 27, 1849.

That bill divided Minnesota Territory into nine counties: Washington, Ramsey, Benton, Itasca, Wabasaw, Dakotah, Wahnahta, Mahkata and Pembina.

“Only the first three were declared to be organized counties; the others were ‘organized only for the purpose of the appointment of justices of the peace, constables, and such other…offices that may be specially provided for,’” according to the Washington County Historical Society, citing the legislation.

At the time there were 910 non-Native people living in St. Paul, 609 in Stillwater, 322 in Little Canada and 248 in St. Anthony, according to the Historical Society.

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