Boomtown Historic District
Roughly along Winchester Ave. to Arden Rd., W. King St. to Red Hill Rd., W. Stephen, W. Addition St, and Raleigh Sts., Martinsburg, WVWest of town two graded roads lead from 19th-century Martinsburg into the Valley of the Virginias. One, the Winchester Turnpike, is now Winchester Avenue. The other, the Berkeley and Hampshire Graded Road, is now W. King Street extended. A toll house, now moved slightly and adapted to another use, still survives on this street. Both roads still lead into the country -- to a point where the city stops and the country begins. For this reason, and because of their architectural distinction, the streets are superb introductions to the city.
W. King is unmarred by intruders -- out of place buildings or uses -- and is the city's best showplace of Period House styles. Dwellings in the Bungaloid Style, Georgian Revival, Spanish Colonial, Adobe, Western Stick Style, and many others sit on large lots back from the street, splendidly cared for and loved.
Winchester has some of the same, but many older 19th-century buildings as well. A shopping center interrupts the continuity of the street at one point, but the major tragedy of the center is that it interrupts the view from 586 Winchester Avenue the city's Shingle Style house par excellence. Varied forms, sweeping roofs, and mixtures of materials make the structure an early 20th-century architectural delight.
Near the intersection of the two streets, the 19th-century Richardsonian Romanesque station of the Cumberland Valley Railroad stands, now used adaptively. Industrial structures of the Shenandoah Pants Company, Brooklyn Brass Works, and Kilbourn Knitting Machine Company, among others, are adjacent across the tracks. Ranging in age from 1890 to the 1930s, they have great character and distinction displaying brick and glass masses, monitors, parapeted and multiple roofs, and an occasional smoke stack. Rhythms and repetition of forms are restated in the mill housing along W. Race and Porter. In several styles, now individualized by non-mill private owners, the mill village houses still show their common industrial heritage.
It is along Virginia, West Virginia, and Faulkner avenues between Stephen and Addition streets that the real Boom Town lies. Opened as a subdivision by the Martinsburg Mining and Manufacturing Company in 1891, concurrently with the opening of street service downtown this streetcar suburb boomed. Buyers and builders flocked to the area, creating an 1890s Victorian extravaganza that is the middle-class equivalent of the upper middle class along W. Burke in the Downtown Martinsburg Historic District and in sharp contrast with the working classes of the mill villages across Winchester Avenue.
Local significance of the district:
W. King is unmarred by intruders -- out of place buildings or uses -- and is the city's best showplace of Period House styles. Dwellings in the Bungaloid Style, Georgian Revival, Spanish Colonial, Adobe, Western Stick Style, and many others sit on large lots back from the street, splendidly cared for and loved.
Winchester has some of the same, but many older 19th-century buildings as well. A shopping center interrupts the continuity of the street at one point, but the major tragedy of the center is that it interrupts the view from 586 Winchester Avenue the city's Shingle Style house par excellence. Varied forms, sweeping roofs, and mixtures of materials make the structure an early 20th-century architectural delight.
Near the intersection of the two streets, the 19th-century Richardsonian Romanesque station of the Cumberland Valley Railroad stands, now used adaptively. Industrial structures of the Shenandoah Pants Company, Brooklyn Brass Works, and Kilbourn Knitting Machine Company, among others, are adjacent across the tracks. Ranging in age from 1890 to the 1930s, they have great character and distinction displaying brick and glass masses, monitors, parapeted and multiple roofs, and an occasional smoke stack. Rhythms and repetition of forms are restated in the mill housing along W. Race and Porter. In several styles, now individualized by non-mill private owners, the mill village houses still show their common industrial heritage.
It is along Virginia, West Virginia, and Faulkner avenues between Stephen and Addition streets that the real Boom Town lies. Opened as a subdivision by the Martinsburg Mining and Manufacturing Company in 1891, concurrently with the opening of street service downtown this streetcar suburb boomed. Buyers and builders flocked to the area, creating an 1890s Victorian extravaganza that is the middle-class equivalent of the upper middle class along W. Burke in the Downtown Martinsburg Historic District and in sharp contrast with the working classes of the mill villages across Winchester Avenue.
Industry; Commerce; Transportation; Education; Exploration/settlement; Architecture; Religion
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The world's first federal prison exclusively for women was established in Alderson, West Virginia, in 1927.
About Berkeley County
Berkeley County Timeline
Berkeley County, West Virginia, has a rich and diverse history dating back to the early 18th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Tuscarora and the Seneca, who used the land for hunting and fishing. In the late 17th century, European settlers started arriving in the region, primarily from Scotland, Ireland, and Germany.
In 1772, Berkeley County was officially established by the Virginia General Assembly and named after Irish philosopher and bishop George Berkeley. The county's location along the Potomac River made it an important transportation route, leading to increased trade and economic growth in the area. During the American Revolutionary War, Berkeley County played a significant role as it provided troops and supplies for the Continental Army.
The early 19th century brought about the expansion of industry and infrastructure in Berkeley County. The arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the mid-1800s further facilitated trade and development, connecting the county to major markets. The county's economy thrived with the establishment of iron foundries, mills, orchards, and tobacco farming.
Berkeley County experienced various significant events during the Civil War. While the county itself remained under Union control, it saw several small-scale battles and skirmishes. Despite the devastation caused by the war, the county bounced back and witnessed growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and education during the latter part of the 19th century.
Today, Berkeley County continues to be a growing and thriving community. Its proximity to major cities like Washington D.C. and Baltimore, as well as its picturesque rural landscapes, make it an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike. The county is home to historical landmarks, such as the Berkeley County Courthouse, which was built in 1854 and still stands as a symbol of the area's past. With a blend of history, natural beauty, and economic opportunities, Berkeley County remains an important and vibrant part of West Virginia's heritage.
In 1772, Berkeley County was officially established by the Virginia General Assembly and named after Irish philosopher and bishop George Berkeley. The county's location along the Potomac River made it an important transportation route, leading to increased trade and economic growth in the area. During the American Revolutionary War, Berkeley County played a significant role as it provided troops and supplies for the Continental Army.
The early 19th century brought about the expansion of industry and infrastructure in Berkeley County. The arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the mid-1800s further facilitated trade and development, connecting the county to major markets. The county's economy thrived with the establishment of iron foundries, mills, orchards, and tobacco farming.
Berkeley County experienced various significant events during the Civil War. While the county itself remained under Union control, it saw several small-scale battles and skirmishes. Despite the devastation caused by the war, the county bounced back and witnessed growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and education during the latter part of the 19th century.
Today, Berkeley County continues to be a growing and thriving community. Its proximity to major cities like Washington D.C. and Baltimore, as well as its picturesque rural landscapes, make it an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike. The county is home to historical landmarks, such as the Berkeley County Courthouse, which was built in 1854 and still stands as a symbol of the area's past. With a blend of history, natural beauty, and economic opportunities, Berkeley County remains an important and vibrant part of West Virginia's heritage.
Berkeley County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Berkeley County, West Virginia.
- 1745 - Berkeley County, WV was established as the second county in the state of West Virginia.
- Late 1700s - Berkeley County became an important center for commerce and trade due to its location along major transportation routes.
- 1863 - During the American Civil War, Berkeley County was occupied by Union forces.
- 1878 - The Martinsburg Roundhouse, a significant railroad facility, was completed in Berkeley County.
- Late 19th century - Berkeley County experienced industrial and economic growth, with the establishment of glass manufacturing, textile mills, and other industries.
- 20th century - Berkeley County saw continued development and population growth, becoming an important suburban area and commuter hub for nearby metropolitan areas.
- Present - Berkeley County is home to a diverse population and continues to experience growth in various sectors, including education, healthcare, and tourism.