This area is one of the country's most significant sites of prehistoric Indian culture. Thousands of years ago, mound building Indians lived here, utilizing the Mississippi River and its tributaries as a trade link for a continuing habitation. Now the relics of this important culture can be seen at the Winterville Mounds State Park and Museum. Washington County was organized in 1827, the state's 22nd county to organize. It now ranks fourth in population among the state's counties. Greenville, the county seat, was named for Revolutionary war hero Nathaniel Greene. He was a close friend to George Washington, for whom the county is named. During the Civil War, troops landed at Greenville and when fired upon by residents, burned the settlement to the ground. Because this site occupies the highest ground between Memphis, Tennessee and Vicksburg, Mississippi, the city was rebuilt. Greenville has developed into a major port on the Mississippi River, a center for manufacturing, retail shopping hub, gaming and entertainment center and a nucleus of agriculture research facilities and processing plants. (from greenville.ms.us [under construction])