This West Virginia Town Is Older Than the State Itself
A quaint college town nestled on the banks of the Potomac River in West Virginia, it’s hard to imagine that Shepherdstown was once a contender to be the nation’s capital. Legend has it that President George Washington eyed the town for this purpose but was thwarted by the logistical challenge of traversing the Potomac.
While it may not have become the seat of the country’s government, Shepherdstown still enjoyed a central role in the history and development of West Virginia. The oldest-founded town in the state, incorporated before modern-day West Virginia even existed, Shepherdstown has seen centuries pass on its scenic streets.
The Origins of Shepherdstown
Situated on the West Virginia-Maryland border, Shepherdstown began as a small settlement founded in the early 1700s by German colonists from Pennsylvania. When the Virginia Colony began issuing land grants in the 1730s, one of these settlers saw a chance to stake a permanent claim. Thomas Shepherd acquired 222 acres in 1734 and started laying out a town that became known as Mecklenburg.
Officially chartered in 1762, the town thrived in its early years, benefiting from its proximity to the Potomac. The busy waterfront bustled with tanners, millers, potters, and merchants. On the outskirts of town, farmers worked the fertile soil.
By the American Revolution, Mecklenburg had 1,000 residents, many of whom were dispatched to fight the British. Today, at least 38 graves of Revolutionary War veterans are in the local cemeteries.
Post-Revolution, the town continued to grow despite its losses. In 1787, inventor James Rumsey pioneered the first steamboat, launching it from Mecklenburg’s waterfront, but he wasn’t the first to make history in town. Mecklenburg was also the home of West Virginia’s first book, newspaper, academy, and school for black students. In 1798, it was renamed Shepherdstown.
New transport routes, such as canals and railroads, opened up in the 19th century, and the town expanded further. Still, the country itself was on the cusp of monumental change, and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 would leave a lasting mark on Shepherdstown.
The Civil War Era
Being a border town, Shepherdstown had mixed allegiances during the Civil War, and it wasn’t unusual to find local families torn apart, with many of the townsfolk rooting for the Union and others for the Confederacy.
About five miles north of Shepherdstown lies the Antietam National Battlefield, site of the first major battle on Union soil and the bloodiest. Following the skirmish in 1862, Shepherdstown became an ad hoc hospital, with thousands of wounded soldiers billeted in the town. A few days later, more arrived with the Battle of Shepherdstown. This battle ended the Maryland campaign of Robert E. Lee, who was forced to retreat after his army suffered heavy losses.
Post-War and Beyond
After the Civil War, Shepherdstown began carving out a new identity as a college town. Shepherd University was founded in 1871 as a liberal arts public college and has now grown to a 323-acre campus offering over 70 different academic programs.
Shepherdstown wasn’t heavily dependent on coal mining, unlike other West Virginia communities. This, and the economic impact of its college community, helped the town weather the financial storms of the 1920s and continue to grow. Being the oldest town in the state, heritage tourism has become a leading driver of the local economy. The Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Today, Shepherdstown is home to 1,541 permanent residents and is known as one of the best places to visit or live in West Virginia. It hit the headlines in 2000 as the site of the Israeli-Syrian Peace talks overseen by then-President Bill Clinton. The town was chosen because it was close enough to Washington, DC, to be accessible but quiet enough that talks could proceed with minimum disturbance.
Things to Do in Historic Shepherdstown
Visitors who love history should make the town’s Visitor Center their first stop. You can pick up a self-guided walking tour, compiled by Historic Shepherdstown & Museum, which will lead you past all the notable sights in town. These include the Historic Shepherdstown Museum, housed in the 1786 Entler Hotel. The Museum contains the town archives, digital exhibits, maps, photographs, and artifacts relating to the town’s long history.
For a comprehensive look at Shepherdstown’s role in the Civil War, visit the Civil War Center, part of Shepherd University. The Center contains an extensive library of Civil War memorabilia and regularly hosts guest speakers. See history come alive at the Antietam National Battlefield, which has a large park, walking paths, a museum, and a Visitor Center. Tours of the battlefield and self-guided walking maps are available.
If you’re looking for lodging in Shepherdstown, consider a few nights at the Thomas Shepherd Inn, a beautiful 1868 guesthouse in the heart of the historic district. Named for the town’s founder, the inn was once a parsonage and a doctor’s office. Now it’s been extensively renovated into guest suites while keeping much of the original furnishings and features.
Stepping Back in Time
Older than West Virginia, older even than the United States, Shepherdstown is a fascinating and friendly community that provides a glimpse back through the centuries. Many historical markers and local legends have been drawn to this beautiful part of West Virginia over the decades. Pioneers, colonists, entrepreneurs, inventors, and soldiers all have come and all have left a mark that has lasted through time. Stroll down the main thoroughfare of German Street and see the perfect blend of old and new as 18th-century homes nudge up against modern boutiques, cozy cafes, and specialty restaurants. Discover America’s roots while enjoying a vacation like no other in West Virginia’s oldest town.
