Green Hill Cemetery Historic District
486 E. Burke St., Martinsburg, WVGreen Hill is an 1854 cemetery designed by David Hunter Strother -- better known as Porte Crayon. Strother, who is buried here, worked with local surveyor John P. Kearfoot in translating a design he had sketched in Paris to a conical Virginia hill. A chapel, replaced in 1917-18 by a fine Neo-Classical Revival Mausoleum, originally capped the hill. Around this apex, simple pathways divide the hill vertically while circular drives create concentric terraces, close together at the top, and more relaxed at the bottom. Monuments make the area into an outstanding outdoor museum of the stone carvers and sculptors' art. Most local stone carvers are represented as such nationally known sculptors as A. Gaddes of Baltimore. All the Victorian symbols are here -- truncated columns, wilted roses, draped urns, the pointing finger, etc.
The 1901 caretakers lodge, designed by local builder/architect W. S. Small, is a superb shingle-style dwelling, and much of the ornate iron fence of the same era survives.
The area contains houses of various eras, from the mid-19th century brick and stone cottage at 475 East Burke, said to have served as a school, to ornate examples of the Victorian woodworker's art.
The Boyd-Lee-Herring House, 469 Teneno Street, a mid-19th century Greek Revival residence survives on the heights overlooking Chambersburg and the cemetery. The Buena Vista Brewers of the same era also survive, riveted into a hillside with magnificent brew cellars, springs, and storage areas in brick and stone with studded wood and wrought iron. The brewery stream still flows through fine open space.
Since the street was the main road to Shepherdstown, Harpers Ferry and then to Baltimore and Washington during the Civil War era, the district saw considerable Civil War activity and troop movement. Because of area heights and curvature of the topographically oriented road, the district offered both lookout points and picket stations.
The district is an open area of mainly mid-19th to turn of the century development. It still evidences the to-be town of Chambersburg, now swallowed up by Martinsburg and, from Green Hill, offers some of the best views of the present city and surrounding countryside.
To climb the Chambersburg and Green Hill heights is to understand why 19th-century settlers so valued the site and built it so well.
Local significance of the district:
The 1901 caretakers lodge, designed by local builder/architect W. S. Small, is a superb shingle-style dwelling, and much of the ornate iron fence of the same era survives.
The area contains houses of various eras, from the mid-19th century brick and stone cottage at 475 East Burke, said to have served as a school, to ornate examples of the Victorian woodworker's art.
The Boyd-Lee-Herring House, 469 Teneno Street, a mid-19th century Greek Revival residence survives on the heights overlooking Chambersburg and the cemetery. The Buena Vista Brewers of the same era also survive, riveted into a hillside with magnificent brew cellars, springs, and storage areas in brick and stone with studded wood and wrought iron. The brewery stream still flows through fine open space.
Since the street was the main road to Shepherdstown, Harpers Ferry and then to Baltimore and Washington during the Civil War era, the district saw considerable Civil War activity and troop movement. Because of area heights and curvature of the topographically oriented road, the district offered both lookout points and picket stations.
The district is an open area of mainly mid-19th to turn of the century development. It still evidences the to-be town of Chambersburg, now swallowed up by Martinsburg and, from Green Hill, offers some of the best views of the present city and surrounding countryside.
To climb the Chambersburg and Green Hill heights is to understand why 19th-century settlers so valued the site and built it so well.
Industry; Community Planning And Development; Landscape Architecture; Art; Architecture
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.
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The West Virginia Mine Wars, a series of labor disputes and violent conflicts between coal miners and mining companies, took place in the early 1900s. The conflicts, which included the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921, had a significant impact on the labor movement in the United States.
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 condensed summary of the historical journey 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.