Since the Middle Ages, the area was at the border between the
Novgorod Republic and the
Principality of Smolensk, later at the border between the
Lithuania and the
Grand Duchy of Moscow. Eventually, it was transferred under control of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and in 1547 Tsar
Ivan the Terrible gave it to the
Simonov Monastery which was located in Moscow. Selizharovo was first mentioned in 1504. In the course of the
administrative reform carried out in 1708 by
Peter the Great, the area was included in
Ingermanlandia Governorate (since 1710 known as Saint Petersburg Governorate), and in 1727
Novgorod Governorate split off. In 1772, Ostashkov was granted town status, and
Ostashkovsky Uyezd of Novgorod Governorate was established, with the seat in
Ostashkov. Almost all of area of the district was included in Ostashkovsky Uyezd, with the exception of the southeast of the district which belonged to
Rzhevsky Uyezd. In 1775,
Tver Viceroyalty was formed from the lands which previously belonged to
Moscow and Novgorod Governorates, and the area was transferred to Tver Viceroyalty, which in 1796 was transformed to
Tver Governorate. On 12 July 1929, governorates and uyezds were abolished, and Selizharovsky District with the administrative center in the
selo of Selizharovo was established. It belonged to
Rzhev Okrug of
Western Oblast. On August 1, 1930, the okrugs were abolished, and the districts were subordinated directly to the oblast. On January 29, 1935
Kalinin Oblast was established, and Selizharovsky District was transferred to Kalinin Oblast. In 1936, Selizharovsky District was renamed Kirovsky District. In 1937, Selizharovo was granted urban-type settlement status. During World War II, in 1941–1942, a considerable part of the district, including Selizharovo, was occupied by German troops. In February 1963, during the abortive administrative reform by
Nikita Khrushchev, Kirovsky and Penovsky Districts were merged into Ostashkovsky District. On January 12, 1965, Selizharovsky District (which occupied the area of Kirovsky District) was re-established. In 1990, Kalinin Oblast was renamed Tver Oblast. On 12 July 1929
Molodotudsky District, with the center in the selo of
Molodoy Tud was created as well. It was a part of Rzhev Okrug of Western Oblast. On 1 February 1932 it was abolished. On March 5, 1935
Chertolinsky District with the administrative center in the selo of
Chertolino was established. It was a part of Kalinin Oblast. On 20 March 1936 Chertolino was transferred to Rzhevsky District, and Chertolinsky District was renamed Molodotudsky. The administrative center was moved to Molodoy Tud. On 22 August 1958 Molodotudsky District was abolished and split between Kirovsky, Oleninsky, and Rzhevsky Districts. Another district created on 12 July 1929 was
Lukovnikovsky District, with the center in the selo of
Lukovnikovo. It was a part of Rzhev Okrug of Western Oblast. On January 29, 1935 Lukovnikovsky District was transferred to Kalinin Oblast. On 14 November 1960 Lukovnikovsky District was abolished and split between Kirovsky,
Novotorzhsky, Staritsky, and Rzhevsky Districts. ==Economy==