The trustees of the new town of Washington quickly proceeded to sell the fifty-one lots of the town. In 1803 Mrs. Anne Cox established a tavern in the center of town; this building survives today as the gift shops of the Inn at Little Washington. Mary Resor also established a tavern, on Gay Street, which was next owned by George Thorn and later became the home “Avon Hall.” The Washington post office was situated in the town by 1804 and still remains in the town. The town became known as “Little Washington” as early as 1804, to distinguish it from the new capital of Washington, D.C. located only 70 miles to the northeast.