Washington County is located between St. Paul and the Wisconsin border. It’s one of 30 Washington counties (plus one Washington Parish) in the U.S.

He apparently never visited Minnesota.

The population of Washington County grew from 83,003 in 1970 to 238,136 in 2010 as a result of the eastern growth of suburban St. Paul.

The county seat of Washington County is Stillwater (pop. 18,225). Its courthouse building (1870) is one of the oldest in the state.

County government moved out in 1975.

The Stillwater Lift Bridge, built in 1931, crosses the St. Croix River from Stillwater to Houlton, Wisc.

Only one lane of traffic can cross at a time.

The city of Oakdale (pop. 27,378) is the largest of the 12 Oakdales in the United States.

This one’s in California.

The city of Afton (pop. 2,886), on the St. Croix River, is home of the Afton Alps, the largest ski and snowmobiling area in the Twin Cities region.

48 trails and 18 chairlifts

Washington County has two state parks: Afton and William O’Brien, both on the St. Croix River.

Along the river in O’Brien State Park

The 18-mile Gateway State Trail runs along the former Soo Line Railroad line between St. Paul and rural Washington County.

There’s snowmobiling in winter.

The city of Hugo (pop. 13,332) was first settled by French Canadians.

Named for Victor Hugo

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