The Lobby of the Holiday Inn Georgetown
History of Georgetown
Georgetown is probably best known for Georgetown University, home of the Hoyas, but there is more to this village than that. Georgetown was officially formed in 1751 and was named after King George II. It was almost immediately a success. In the beginning, the success was due to the tobacco industry, which then expanded into a profitable shipping business. Because of its access to the Potomac River, it became a commercial and industrial hub. Mills and wharves soon lined the waterfront. As a result of this prosperity, Georgetown grew to be a fashionable destination for people from all over the world. Less than 100 years from the time it was formed, it was annexed to Washington City and evolved into the nation's capital.
Georgetown Today
Today, Georgetown is still a fashionable place to visit for people all over the world. One of the main attractions in Georgetown, aside from Georgetown University, is the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal is a scenic park area that is scattered with camp sites and over 180 miles of hiking and biking trails. Another popular attraction in Georgetown, is the Old Stone House. This house was constructed in 1765 for Christopher Lehman, and is believed to be the oldest building surviving building in the entire DC area. It may even be true that George Washington used the Old Stone House as his headquarters when choosing land for the nation's capital.
However, there are other places in Georgetown that people enjoy visiting. The Dumbarton House is another of Georgetown's more popular attractions. Construction began on this home in 1798, after the land was purchased by Samuel Jackson. In 1804, Joseph Nourse, firt Register of the U.S. Treasury, acquired and completed the house. He continued to live there until 1803 when it was bought by Charles Carroll. Under his ownership, the house would host Dolley Madison in 1814 during her flight from the White House and British invaders. The home is still furnished, and visitors are welcomed to explore. Georgetown also served as the home to Tudor Place.
Oak Hill Cemetery is another historic section of Georgetown that has become popular to visitors. The cemetery blankets 22 acres and was presented to the town in 1849. An old chapel, that was designed by the same man who designed the Smithsonian Castle, still stands on the cemetery grounds. This cemetery serves as a resting place for such notable people as Lincoln's Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton; Peggy O'Neal Eaton; James G. Blaine; John Howard Payne, the composer of "Home Sweet Home", and many others.
Visitors may find it easy to lose themselves in Georgetown for an entire day or more. There's so much history, and so much to see and do. There are plenty of lodging options within Georgetown like Best Western Georgetown Suites and Holiday Inn Georgetown, so you don't even have to leave the village when it's time to head indoors. Also within Georgetown are many unique restaurants, bistros, and outdoor cafes.
