It was founded in the year 1776. They named it after a man who was already establishing a reputation as a great American. He later became known as the Father of Our Country and had a much larger town named in his honor, but for the historical record, the little port city of Washington, North Carolina claimed his name before anyone else.
North Carolina's "Inner Banks" are blessed with beauty. Broad rivers that have seen the centuries come and go stretch their arms wide through a green world of tobacco, old oaks and pine on their way to the sea.
Places like Little Washington cling to the past, not out of necessity but as an act of love. With a deep bow of respect to all who came before them, they survive to remind us that new isn't always best, and that true beauty knows no age.
Photo by Beth Yarbrough.