In July 1749, a 17-year old George Washington noted in his journal, "in the Blue Ridge Mountains . . . I laid off a town ." The young surveyor, assisted by two chainmen, laid out the town of Washington in the same five-block by two-block grid that exists today. There are now 28 Washingtons in the United States, but this is "The First Washington of All." "Little" Washington, as the locals call it, is flanked by the beautiful rolling hills of what is now Rappahannock County and is home to the renowned 5-star THE INN AT LITTLE WASHINGTON (est. 1978). As the restaurant has gained world-wide fame, the town has transformed to upscale retail shops, art galleries, craftsman studios and B&Bs.