Martinsburg, West Virginia

Martinsburg, WV (map), the county seat of Berkeley County, was originally chartered in 1778, and named in honor of Colonel Thomas Bryan Martin, nephew of Lord Fairfax. Fort Neally was established on a site near present-day Martinsburg perhaps as early as 1755. Martinsburg, WV Martinsburg, WV is located about: 10 miles west of Shepherdstown, WV; 16 miles northwest of Charles Town, WV; 19 miles northwest of Harpers Ferry, WV; 22 miles southwest of Hagerstown, MD; and 24 miles northeast of Winchester, VA Airports Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport Mapof heliports and airports in/near Martinsburg, WV Lodging Martinsburg, WV Hotels: Find nearby hotels and make online reservations Weather Martinsburg, WV: Current conditions, forecasts, weather alerts, and more     Map of Martinsburg and Vicinity View a larger version of this map (best viewed full-screen) with links to driving directions and additional mapping options. Attractions Baltimore and Ohio and Related Industries Historic District Boomtown Historic District Boydville Historic District Downtown Martinsburg Historic District East Martinsburg Historic District South Water Street Historic District Tuscarora Creek Historic District Libraries Martinsburg - Berkeley County Public Library : (Map) Media Radio Stations WRNR (AM 740,News/Talk) : WEPM (AM 1340, Local Info) : WVEP (FM 88.9, NPR) : WLTF (FM 97.5, Soft Rock) Television (TV) Stations WWPX (DT 12, Pax TV) : WWPX (TV 60, Pax TV) Newspapers The third newspaper published in West Virginia, the Berkeley Intelligencer, was published by John Alburtus in 1799. The Pioneer Press, the first African American newspaper in present-day West Virginia, was published in 1882 by J. R. Clifford, a Martinsburg attorney. The Journal Schools Map of schools in/near Martinsburg, WV Colleges and Universities Shepherd University, formerly Shepherd College, is located about 10 miles from Martinsburg, in Shepherdstown, WV. Public Schools" Berkeley County Schools

Maps Map of Martinsburg, WV showing streets, airports, parks, buildings, churches, cemeteries, trails and other points of interest, with link to driving directions. Topo map of Martinsburg, WV and vicinity Photos Photos of historic B&O Railroad structures in Martinsburg, WV Scale drawings of Martinsburg's railroad roundhouses. Census Data Population: 14,972 (2000 Census) Geo Data Elevation: 457 feet Latitude: 39.45710 Longitude: -77.96626

Founding of Martinsburg, WV

Martinsburg is situated upon the site of what was once the chief town of the Tuscarora Indians, the little stream on which it is situated still bearing the name of Tuscarora Creek.

The earliest permanent settlers in the West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle entered from Pennsylvania by the "Old Pack-horse Ford," at present-day Shepherdstown. By 1727 Morgan Morgan settled on Mill Creek, in Berkeley County, and Germans began a settlement that later grew into village called New Mechlenberg. Beginning in about 1730, other daring pioneer settled upon the Opeguon, Back Creek, Tuscarora Creek, Cacapon and farther west on the South Branch.

Martinsburg was founded in 1777, by act of the Virginia Assembly, which also appointed seven trustees in whom the titles of the land was vested.

Development of Martinsburg, WV

Circa 1953 aerial photo of Martinsburg, WV, showing the mammoth plant of the Interwoven Stocking Company

Martinsburg rceived new life and fresh impetus in 1835 from the large camp of the surveying corps which located the route of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O), and in 1841, from the stores of railroad contractors and trade of the Irish and Germans who graded and bridged the rail line.

In 1842, the B&O track layers passed through Martinsburg, soon followed by the first steam locomotive to reach the town. In 1849, the town became a first class railway station point on the B&O, with enginehouse and machine shops under construction. In 1854, Martinsburg became the termius of a turnpike from Winchester.

By 1859, the town's population had grown to 3000, and the town had become incorporated, with hopes of becoming the terminus of the Cumberland Valley Railroad connecting with Chambersburg. In 1872, the Martinsburg & Potomac Railroad was completed through Martinsburg, a rail line leased to the Cumberland Valley Railroad.

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 started in Martinsburg on July 16, after the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) announced a 10 percent reduction of wages. At the request of Governor Mathews, 200 federal troops were moved into Martinsburg to suppress the strike. The strike was put down but continued to spread to other areas, gaining in violence and intensity. The strike is generally regarded as the first nationwide strike in the U.S.

Variant Name(s) for Martinsburg, WV

Martins Town, Martins-Burgh, Martinsburgh, and Martinsville

Additional Sources of Information

Books

Aler's history of Martinsburg and Berkeley County, West Virginia

West Virginia Geological Survey: Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan Counties