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Jefferson County, WV
About Jefferson County
Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Jefferson Rock
Shenandoah Canal
Shepherdstown
Entler Hotel
Rumsey Monument and Tobacco Warehouse
Morgan's Grove Park
Peter Burr House
Charles Town
Jefferson County Courthouse and Museum
Zion Episcopal Church
Happy Retreat
St. George's Chapel Ruins
Harewood
Cedar Lawn
Claymont Court/Blakeley
Middleway Historic District
Berkeley County, WV
About Berkeley County
Martinsburg
B&O Roundhouse & Station Complex
Belle Boyd House
Berkeley County Courthouse
Triple Brick Museum
General Adam Stephen House
Green Hill Cemetery
Van Metre Ford Bridge
Bunker Hill Mill
Morgan Chapel
Morgan Cabin
Gerrardstown Historic District
Hays Gerrard House
Mill's Gap
Sleep Creek Wildlife Management Area
Hedgesville Historic District
Mt. Zion Episcopal Church
Snodgrass Tavern
Morgan County, WV
About Morgan County
Spruce Pine Hollow Park
Berkeley Springs
Dutch Cemetery
Throgmorton's Inn
Bath Historic District
Berkeley Springs State Park
George Washington's Bathtub
Roman Bath House & Museum of the Berkeley Springs
Washington's Lots
Sir John's Run
Panorama Overlook
Great Cacapon
Camp Hill Cemetery
Paw Paw
Paw Paw Tunnel
Coolfont Manor House
Cacapon State Park

Washington Heritage Trail

 


Jefferson County


 

Carved from maryland and virginia by the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, Jefferson County is part of both river valleys. It was surveyed in the mid-18th century by a young George Washington who purchased his first piece of land here and encouraged his brothers to do likewise. There are six remaining Washington family homes in the county. Named for Thomas Jefferson, the county was officially created from Berkeley County in 1801.

Other notable historic figures made Jefferson County their home including a pair of Revolutionary War generals: Horatio Gates at Travelers Rest and Charles Lee at Prato Rio. In spite of being drafted into the new state of West Virginia in 1863, Jefferson County remained true to its southern roots. It provided more troops to the Confederacy than any Virginia locale other than the Richmond area and Tidewater accents can still be heard among the oldest families.

Agriculture remains a significant user of open lands. Horse and hay farms serving the Charles Town Races share countryside with historic buildings and suburban housing developments. Black culture has a long history in the county and today, Jefferson County has the largest African-American population in the state.

Three historic towns define the county’s daily life as well as providing attractions for visitors: Harpers Ferry with a National Historical Park; Shepherdstown, home of Shepherd University; and Charles Town, county seat and historic Washington homeplace.

 



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