Georgetown, section of the city of Washington, D.C., U.S., at the confluence of the Potomac River and Rock Creek, about 2.5 miles (4 km) northwest of the national Capitol. Georgetown was settled late in the 17th century. It was laid out as a town in 1751, under the name of George. With construction of the Potomac Canal and the town’s incorporation as the city of George Town in 1789, it became a bustling trade centre. In 1871 it was merged into the District of Columbia, and in 1878 it was annexed to the city of Washington. Georgetown is largely residential, and its streets are old-fashioned, well shaded, and narrow. In the “Heights” section are Georgetown University (1789) and many fine homes with beautiful gardens. Legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1950 to preserve the character of the section, to be known as Old Georgetown, which was later designated a national historic district.