It was originally named for William R. King, a Senator and VP, who died, in office in the 1850's.
In 1986, the leftists changed for whom the County was named. It is now officially named after Martin Luther King Jr.
Surprisingly, a lot of people, even in WA do not know that factlet.
Mlk’s likeness is on all county signage, vehicles, letterheads. Not like it’s a secret.