Tobacco Warehouse

The remains of the Mecklenburg Tobacco Warehouse, built around 1789, may be the oldest stone tobacco facility in present-day West Virginia. It is the only standing commercial building on the once busy Shepherdstown riverfront. Sometime after tobacco ceased to be important, the warehouse served as a storage center for corn, wheat and other commodities. Boats transported goods to the Shepherdstown River Lock of the C&O Canal. When the water level of the Potomac River is low, remnants of the warehouse’s stone wharf wall are still visible.

Native Americans camped seasonally along the shores of the Pack Horse Ford section of the Potomac before colonial settlers arrived to claim the land. They called it “Cohogoroota” for the sound of the wild goose.

“Whereas . . . the establishment of inspection of tobacco on the lands of Abraham Shepherd, near the town of Mecklenburg, on Potowmack river in the county of Berkeley, would be of public utility and the proprietor of the land is willing to erect the houses necessary for that purpose at his expense:
Be it enacted . . . to be known by the name of Mecklenburg Warehouse.”
Virginia General Assembly — November 19, 1788.

If you go: Located at end of North Princess Street in Shepherdstown near the Potomac River; Structure is not open to the public for tours. More Information: 304-876-0910 • www.HistoricShepherdstown.com