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In the early 1880's, Weld county occupied all of northeastern Colorado from Greeley to the Nebraska state line. On February 9, 1887, Washington county was created, reaching from Range 54 East to the state line. In 1889 the eastern part was cut off to form Yuma county. In 1903 five townships south of the base line, taken from Arapaho county, were annexed to Washington County, forming the present boundaries. Homesteaders flocked in by horse-drawn and oxen-drawn wagons, and soon the endless prairie was dotted with homes. Smoke could be seen rising from dugouts, shacks, and soddies as settlers set about fulfilling the requirements for "proving up" on a homestead. The requirements were they had to live on the homestead seven months or more a year for three years, and plant crops on at least one-sixteenth of it the first year, and one-eighth of it the second year and until a patent could be obtained.

In 1892 and 1893 panic swept the entire county, as the western area was beset by drought and dust storms for several years. Many settlers left and towns suffered from the retreating population. After the turn of the century the weather became more favorable and a wave of new settlers came into Washington County. A depression beginning in 1929 and lasting several years caused the population to diminish, farms were lost and businesses failed.

The boom years of World War II set the area on it's feet , combined with good farming conditions. There is great improvement in living and working conditions. The advent of Rural Electric Association and Y-W Electric Association, cable TV and the UHF facility, and the availability of propane gas or natural gas for cooking and heating, farm homes are comparable to city homes for comfort and convenience.

In Washington County farming and ranching are the principal industries. The chief crop is red winter wheat, and Washington County leads in the number of bushels produced.