Shepherdstown is the oldest town in West Virginia. The first settlement was recorded in 1730. Thomas Shepherd obtained a land grant in 1734 and was soon followed by other settlers. The town was originally named Mecklenburg in 1762, but then later changed to Shepherdstown in honor of its founder. Many of the first settlers were German and the town had a German School in the community as early as 1762. The main street in Shepherdstown is still to this day called German Street.
The town is historically remembered for James Rumsey's invention of the steamboat in 1787. The Rumsey Monument commemorating this event can still be visited in Shepherdstown.
Shepherd University was founded in 1871 as a private college in Shepherdstown to instruct students in language arts and sciences. Today Shepherd University is the fastest growing college in West Virginia with over 4,000 students.
Shepherdstown is also centered in the Historic Civil War area. Three miles northeast of Shepherdstown is Antietam Battlefield, where the bloodiest single day's battle of the Civil War was fought. Ten Miles to the southwest is Harpers Ferry, famous for the capture of John Brown. During the Civil War Shepherdstown became an impromptu hospital for Robert E. Lee's retreating Confederate Army.
Today Shepherdstown is a small college town, population 1800, perched confidently on a bluff overlooking the Potomac. A stroll through town reveals a mixed collection of beautifully maintained old homes, quaint stores, and coffee shops.
For a complete list of shops, activities and recreation in Shepherdstown visit the Shepherdstown Visitors Center website.
Click here for the Shepherdstown Visitors Center website
The Historic Shepherdstown Museum
The Historic Shepherdstown Museum is located in the Entler Hotel, at the corner of Princess and East German Street in Shepherdstown. In 1983 the Historic Shepherdstown Museum was founded to preserve and display artifacts, furniture, and historic documents that might otherwise have been lost.
The museum is open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays and 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Sundays from April through October and the two weeks of Christmas in Historic Shepherdstown. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted.
www.historicshepherdstown.com
Learn More
The town is historically remembered for James Rumsey's invention of the steamboat in 1787. The Rumsey Monument commemorating this event can still be visited in Shepherdstown.
Shepherd University was founded in 1871 as a private college in Shepherdstown to instruct students in language arts and sciences. Today Shepherd University is the fastest growing college in West Virginia with over 4,000 students.
Shepherdstown is also centered in the Historic Civil War area. Three miles northeast of Shepherdstown is Antietam Battlefield, where the bloodiest single day's battle of the Civil War was fought. Ten Miles to the southwest is Harpers Ferry, famous for the capture of John Brown. During the Civil War Shepherdstown became an impromptu hospital for Robert E. Lee's retreating Confederate Army.
Today Shepherdstown is a small college town, population 1800, perched confidently on a bluff overlooking the Potomac. A stroll through town reveals a mixed collection of beautifully maintained old homes, quaint stores, and coffee shops.
For a complete list of shops, activities and recreation in Shepherdstown visit the Shepherdstown Visitors Center website.
Click here for the Shepherdstown Visitors Center website
The Historic Shepherdstown Museum
The Historic Shepherdstown Museum is located in the Entler Hotel, at the corner of Princess and East German Street in Shepherdstown. In 1983 the Historic Shepherdstown Museum was founded to preserve and display artifacts, furniture, and historic documents that might otherwise have been lost.
The museum is open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays and 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Sundays from April through October and the two weeks of Christmas in Historic Shepherdstown. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted.
www.historicshepherdstown.com
FAQs
The town is historically remembered for James Rumsey's invention of the steamboat in 1787. The Rumsey Monument commemorating this event can still be visited in Shepherdstown. Shepherd University was founded in 1871 as a private college in Shepherdstown to instruct students in language arts and sciences.
What is the oldest town in West Virginia? ›
Shepherdstown was founded alongside Romney in 1762, making both the oldest towns in West Virginia.
How old is the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV? ›
Following in the German tradition, The Bavarian Inn was built in 1930 as a private residence. The famous greystone mansion was converted in 1962 to a country inn with extensive renovations completed in 1977.
What German resort is near Harpers Ferry? ›
Just an hour from D.C., the Bavarian Inn is just minutes from Historic Harpers Ferry, Antietam Battlefield, and Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races as well as endless outdoor recreation opportunities including whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, tennis, and golf.
Is Shepherdstown worth visiting? ›
When visiting Shepherdstown, WV, you'll ironically find it full of life! Park your car and enjoy a half-day or full-day trip from Harpers Ferry to explore the historical museums and shops in the historical center and the beauty of the Potomac River.
Why is Shepherdstown a tourist attraction? ›
Rich in Civil War and American history, Shepherdstown has museums, battle sites and re-enactments all year round. Nearly every building in the town served as a makeshift hospital for over 8,000 Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
What was West Virginia almost called? ›
Kanawha was a proposed name for the 39 counties which later became the main body of the U.S. state of West Virginia, formed on October 24, 1861.
What was West Virginia called before it became a state? ›
In 1863, the western region was admitted to the Union as a new separate state, initially planned to be called the State of Kanawha, but ultimately named West Virginia.
Who owns Bavarian Inn? ›
The William (Tiny) Zehnder, Jr. family owns the Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth. Tiny's family purchased Fischer's Hotel in 1950. Tiny left farming, and he and his young wife, Dorothy (a former waitress at Fischer's), became the managers of the new business.
How many rooms does the Bavarian Inn have? ›
Lodge History
Today we have 360 Guest rooms (268 Standards; 46 Kings; 24 Whirlpools; 17 Family Suites, and 5 mini suites) and 330 Employees.
Bavarian Inn Restaurant was founded as the Union House Hotel in 1888 by Theodore Fischer and renamed “Fischer's Hotel.” His family continued the business for the next two generations.
Does anyone live in Harpers Ferry? ›
Harpers Ferry is a town in West Virginia with a population of 301. Harpers Ferry is in Jefferson County and is one of the best places to live in West Virginia. Living in Harpers Ferry offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes. Residents of Harpers Ferry tend to lean conservative.
What happened to the Hilltop Hotel in Harpers Ferry? ›
With two structures lost to fire, but insured and rebuilt, the hotel operated until 2007, when it had deteriorated beyond reasonable repair. The rebuilding and reopening of the hotel, on a more luxurious scale, became a local issue. As of June 2023, its reopening in 2025 is predicted.
What happened in Shepherdstown? ›
The Battle
Throughout the day, Union artillerymen dueled with their Confederate counterparts on the opposite shore, and at nightfall five hundred soldiers from Porter's command crossed the Potomac and attacked Pendleton's position. During the fight, Porter's men captured five cannon and sent Pendleton into a panic.
Is Shepherdstown WV a good place to live? ›
Shepherdstown is a town in West Virginia with a population of 1,612. Shepherdstown is in Jefferson County and is one of the best places to live in West Virginia. Living in Shepherdstown offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes.
What city in West Virginia has the most African Americans? ›
Keystone is one of the few municipalities in West Virginia with an African-American majority, with 65 percent of the residents being black.
