Litchfield County was established in 1785 and as such became part of the Connecticut county government system. The county government operated jails, maintained the courthouse, gave out liquor licenses, dealt with highway and boundary disputes between towns, was responsible for the care and protection of orphaned and neglected children, appropriated funds for agricultural extension services and fighting fires, and performed other legal duties. By the mid-20th century, the State had assumed responsibility for most of the functions, and the county government was abolished on October 1, 1960.