"Government
is a trust, and the officers of the government are
trustees; and both the trust and the trustees are
created for the benefit of the people."
- Henry Clay, 1829
The formation of
Adams County was authorized by
territorial legislature enactment on
November 28, 1883 from the parent
Whitman County. The name honors John
Adams the second president of the United
States. The county is 16th in size and
covers 1,895 square mile. The county
seat is Ritzville.