64-595: Rumsey Hall , also known as the Entler Hotel , is an historic building in Shepherdstown, West Virginia . The building is located in the center of the Shepherdstown Historic District and is a composite of six separate phases of construction. The earliest portion was built in 1786, and was the home belonging to Christian Cookus. This section burned in 1912. This section was separated by a narrow passage from
128-514: A bill was passed by the West Virginia Legislature that mandated that Shepherd College sell the building to the Town after a campaign to prevent the building's demolition, and began restoration work in 1982. The college was going to demolish the building and turn the property into a parking lot. The bill was sponsored by Delegates Clarence E Martin, III and Joseph Caudle. It is now used to house
192-415: A charter, which was granted in 1762. Shepherd was the sole trustee, owning the town and being responsible for its government. More than six natural springs feed Town Run before it enters the south end of town. It never floods, nor runs dry; it meanders through backyards, under houses, across alleys and beneath five streets. This setting was conducive to millers, tanners, potters, smiths and other artisans. As
256-519: A number of geologically and historically significant limestone caves: The word Shenandoah is of unknown Native American origin. It has been described as being derived from the Anglicization of Native American terms, resulting in words such as Gerando, Gerundo, Genantua, Shendo and Sherando. The meaning of these words is of some question. Schin-han-dowi , the "River Through the Spruces"; On-an-da-goa ,
320-524: A result, by 1775, the town boasted 1,000 inhabitants. In 1775, General George Washington issued a call for "Virginia Volunteer Riflemen." Captain Hugh Stephenson filled the ranks of his company here. The troops departed from "Morgan's Spring," about one-half mile (0.80 km) south of the town limits, on July 16, 1775. This famous " Beeline March to Cambridge " covered 600 mi (970 km) in 24 days. Thirty-eight Revolutionary veterans are buried in
384-521: Is Interstate 81 , which parallels the old Valley Turnpike ( U.S. Route 11 ) and the ancient Great Path of the Native Americans through its course in the valley. In the lower (northern) valley, on the eastern side, U.S. Route 340 also runs north-south, starting from Waynesboro in the south, running through the Page Valley to Front Royal , and on to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia , where it exits
448-812: Is a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia in the United States. The Valley is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains , to the west by the eastern front of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians (excluding Massanutten Mountain ), to the north by the Potomac River , to the south by the James River , and to the Southwest by
512-521: Is also home to many local artistic and theatrical groups, many of which are affiliated with Shepherd University or operated by youth groups. Shepherdstown also supports several restaurants and music venues. Monthly contra dances are sponsored by Shepherdstown Music and Dance. Shepherdstown is also home to the first cohousing community in West Virginia, the Shepherd Village. The Shepherd Village
576-585: The Capitol Limited route. Amtrak also runs the Cardinal through the valley along the old Virginia Central. Several localities in the valley operate public transportation systems, including Front Royal Area Transit (FRAT), which provides weekday transit for the town of Front Royal; Page County Transit , providing weekday transit for the town of Luray and weekday service between Luray and Front Royal; and Winchester Transit , which provides weekday transit for
640-614: The Alleghenies . The Shenandoah Valley was known as the breadbasket of the Confederacy during the Civil War and was seen as a backdoor for Confederate raids on Maryland , Washington , and Pennsylvania . Because of its strategic importance it was the scene of three major campaigns. The first was the Valley Campaign of 1862 , in which Confederate General Stonewall Jackson defended
704-593: The Battle of Antietam , three miles away, Shepherdstown became a field hospital for the wounded, with many severely wounded brought to the Entler. On December 14, 1898, the Entler received one of the first two telephones installed in Jefferson County . Several fires occurred between 1899 and 1912, with a fire in 1910 killing the manager's daughter, who was playing with matches. In 1912 a conflagration burned several buildings on
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#1732872329775768-514: The Historic Shepherdstown Museum , office space for non-profit groups and for town meetings. Shepherdstown, West Virginia Shepherdstown is a town in Jefferson County, West Virginia , United States, located in the lower Shenandoah Valley along the Potomac River . Home to Shepherd University , the town's population was 1,531 at the time of the 2020 census . The town was established in 1762 along with Romney ; they are
832-1239: The New River Valley . The cultural region covers a larger area that includes all of the Valley plus the Virginia Highlands to the west and the Roanoke Valley to the south. It is physiographically located within the Ridge and Valley Province and is a portion of the Great Appalachian Valley . Named for the river that stretches much of its length, the Shenandoah Valley encompasses eight counties in Virginia and two counties in West Virginia: The antebellum composition included four additional counties that are now in West Virginia as well as four additional Virginia counties: The cultural region includes five more counties in Virginia: Between
896-668: The Shawnee . According to tradition, another branch of Iroquoians, the Senedo , lived in present-day Shenandoah County. They were exterminated by "Southern Indians" ( Catawba or Cherokee ) before the arrival of white settlers. Another story dates to the American Revolutionary War . Throughout the war, Chief Skenandoa of the Oneida , an Iroquois nation based in New York , persuaded many of
960-500: The "River of High Mountains" or "Silver-Water"; and an Iroquois word for "Big Meadow", have all been proposed by Native American etymologists . The most popular, romanticized belief is that the name comes from a Native American expression for "Beautiful Daughter of the Stars". Another legend relates that the name is derived from the name of the Iroquoian chief Sherando (Sherando was also
1024-712: The 1730s from Pennsylvania into the valley, via the Potomac River . The Scotch-Irish comprised the largest group of non-English immigrants from the British Isles before the Revolutionary War , and most migrated into the backcountry of the South. This was in contrast to the chiefly English immigrants who had settled the Virginia Tidewater and Carolina Piedmont regions. Along with the Ulster Scots many Irishmen arrived in
1088-535: The Confederates through the use of scorched-earth tactics. The Valley, especially in the lower northern section, was also the scene of bitter partisan fighting as the region's inhabitants were deeply divided over loyalties, and Confederate partisan John Mosby and his Rangers frequently operated in the area. A series of newspaper mergers, ending in 1914, established the Daily News-Record of Harrisonburg as
1152-592: The Potomac at Pack Horse Ford. The town was overwhelmed with 5,000–8,000 casualties from the battle. Every house, building, church, alley, and street was filled with the wounded and dying. The Battle of Shepherdstown (also known as the Battle of Boteler's Ford or Cement Mill) occurred on September 20, 1862, during Lee's retreat. More than 100 Confederate soldiers died here and were buried in Elmwood Cemetery. Elmwood contains
1216-639: The Roanoke Valley in the south and Harpers Ferry in the north, where the Shenandoah River joins the Potomac , the Valley cultural region contains 10 independent cities: The central section of the Shenandoah Valley is split in half by the Massanutten Mountain range, with the smaller associated Page Valley lying to its east and Fort Valley within the mountain range. The Shenandoah Valley contains
1280-484: The Shenandoah River and valley after his ally. Despite the valley's potential for productive farmland, colonial settlement from the east was long delayed by the barrier of the Blue Ridge Mountains . These were crossed by explorers John Lederer at Manassas Gap in 1671, Batts and Fallam the same year, and Cadwallader Jones in 1682. The Swiss Franz Ludwig Michel and Christoph von Graffenried explored and mapped
1344-487: The Shenandoah valley, usually after their indentured service was up. These Irishmen usually had converted to Protestantism or kept their faith secret. In the 18th-century Thirteen Colonies and the independent United States, while interethnic marriage among Catholics remained a dominant pattern, Catholic-Protestant intermarriage became more common (notably in the Shenandoah Valley where intermarriage among Ulster Protestants and
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#17328723297751408-552: The Treaty of Albany with the Iroquois (Six Nations) in 1721, whereby they had agreed not to come east of the Blue Ridge in their raiding parties on tribes farther to the South. In 1736, the Iroquois began to object, claiming that they still legally owned the land to the west of the Blue Ridge; this led to a skirmish with Valley settlers in 1743. The Iroquois were on the verge of declaring war on
1472-469: The Valley against three numerically superior Union armies. The final two were the Valley Campaigns of 1864 . First, in the summer of 1864, Confederate General Jubal Early cleared the Valley of its Union occupiers and then proceeded to raid Maryland, Pennsylvania, and D.C. Then during the autumn, Union General Philip Sheridan was sent to drive Early from the Valley and once-and-for-all deny its use to
1536-608: The Valley in 1706 and 1712, respectively. Von Graffenried reported that the Indians of Senantona (Shenandoah) had been alarmed by news of the recent Tuscarora War in North Carolina . Governor Alexander Spotswood 's legendary Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition of 1716 crossed the Blue Ridge at Swift Run Gap and reached the river at Elkton, Virginia . Settlers did not immediately follow, but someone who heard
1600-531: The Valley region, as attested by the earliest European-American settlers. Later colonists called this route the Great Wagon Road ; it became the major thoroughfare for immigrants' moving by wagons from Pennsylvania and northern Virginia into the backcountry of the South . The Valley Turnpike Company improved the road by paving it with macadam prior to the Civil War and set up toll gates to collect fees to pay for
1664-556: The Virginia Colony as a result, when Governor Gooch paid them the sum of 100 pounds sterling for any settled land in the Valley that was claimed by them. The following year at the Treaty of Lancaster , the Iroquois sold all their remaining claim to the Valley for 200 pounds in gold. The few Shawnees who still resided in the Valley abruptly headed westward in 1754, having been approached the year before by emissaries from their kindred beyond
1728-460: The area was conducive to brick making. By the late 1790s, there were several commercial brickyards, and kilns could be built with little difficulty. In many instances, bricks were "burnt" at the construction sites. They were plentiful and cheaper than nails. Roofing material affected the market value and the insurance premiums of the brick structures. Those covered with tile were much more valuable than those topped with wooden shingles. Fires starting in
1792-405: The average family size was 2.72. In the town, the population was spread out, with 12.5% under the age of 18, 19.9% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males. The median income for a household in the town
1856-470: The canal and the river to serve industries in Shepherdstown with shipments of cement, coal, flour, corn, wheat, oats, flour, and timothy seed. Shepherdstown is the only town in West Virginia that has a canal lock named for it. Two free schools were built in the town in 1848. One still stands on the southeast corner of Princess and New Streets. When West Virginia became the 35th state (in 1863), these became
1920-676: The city of Winchester . In addition, Shenandoah Valley Commuter Bus Service Archived May 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine offers weekday commuter bus service from the northern Shenandoah Valley, including Shenandoah County and Warren County , to Northern Virginia ( Arlington County and Fairfax County ) and Washington . Origination points in Shenandoah County include Woodstock . Origination points in Warren County include Front Royal and Linden . The Shenandoah Valley serves as
1984-399: The core of the hotel property, first started in the 1790s by owner Daniel Bedinger. This Federal style structure was expanded to the corner sometime before 1809, with a further addition along Princess Street by 1815. A kitchen and a carriage house completed the complex. Significant interior features remain. In 1809 a store was opened in the corner building, operated by James Brown. At about
Rumsey Hall (Shepherdstown, West Virginia) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2048-609: The daily newspaper of the Shenandoah Valley. In the late 20th century, the Valley's vineyards began to reach maturity. They constituted the new industry of the Shenandoah Valley American Viticultural Area . In 2018, a series of strikes and protests were held in Dayton 's Cargill plant. Transportation in the Shenandoah Valley consists mainly of road and rail and contains several metropolitan area transit authorities. The main north-south road transportation
2112-652: The entire town in 1987. Potomac Mills located nearby in Washington County, Maryland, was added in 2014. On January 3, 2000, Shepherdstown was the site of the Peace Talks between Israel and Syria . In 2012, the town celebrated its 250th anniversary. Billed as the most haunted town in America, Shepherdstown is known as much for its ghostly residents as it is for the local arts scene, university, and historic attractions. On June 12, 2016, Destination America ’s premiered
2176-604: The future site of Shepherdstown. The Colony of Virginia began issuing Valley land grants in the 1730s. In 1734, Thomas Shepherd (1705–1776) was granted 222 acres (90 ha) on the south side of the Potomac, along the Falling Spring Branch (now known as the Town Run). From that tract he selected 50 acres (20 ha) and laid out a town. Naming his town Mecklenburg, he petitioned the Virginia General Assembly for
2240-517: The graves of 285 Confederate veterans. From 1865 to 1871, Shepherdstown served as the county seat of Jefferson County due to war damage to the courthouse in Charles Town . The Town Hall (northeast corner of German and King streets) housed the courthouse until it was moved back to Charles Town. In 1872, the Town Hall Building was chartered as a "Classical and Scientific Institute." The building
2304-543: The improvements. After the advent of motor vehicles, the road was refined and paved appropriately for their use. In the 20th century, the road was acquired by the Commonwealth of Virginia , which incorporated it into the state highway system as U.S. Route 11 . For much of its length, the newer Interstate 81 , constructed in the 1960s, parallels the old Valley Pike. Along with the first German settlers, known as " Shenandoah Deitsch ", many Scotch-Irish immigrants came south in
2368-672: The name of his people), who fought against the Algonquian Chief Opechancanough , ruler of the Powhatan Confederacy (1618–1644). Opechancanough liked the interior country so much that he sent his son Sheewa-a-nee from the Tidewater with a large party to colonize the valley. Sheewa-a-nee drove Sherando back to his former territory near the Great Lakes . According to this account, descendants of Sheewanee's party became
2432-464: The north side of German Street, including the original Entler property. The hotel closed in 1917 and in 1921 it was sold to the State of West Virginia and became the first men's dormitory at Shepherd College , at which time its name was changed to Rumsey Hall. In the 1950s the building was used as faculty apartments, then as storage. The Town of Shepherdstown bought the Entler from the State in 1978 after
2496-741: The old Manassas Gap Railroad and the Norfolk and Western and Chesapeake Western . There are also more modern lines that run the length of the valley parallel to the Valley Pike and U.S. 340. The rail lines are primarily used for freight transportation, though Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) trains utilize the old B&O line from stations in Martinsburg , Duffields , and Harper's Ferry to Washington Union Station in Washington, D.C. , and vice versa. Amtrak utilizes Harpers Ferry and Martinsburg as well along
2560-598: The oldest free schoolhouses in the state. The Hamtramck Guard (The Shepherdstown Light Infantry) was dispatched to nearby Harpers Ferry to subdue John Brown 's raid on the federal armory (October 1859). At the outbreak of the Civil War, this group became Company B, 2nd Virginia Infantry , Army of Northern Virginia . They became part of the famous "Stonewall Brigade." After the nearby Battle of Antietam in Maryland, September 17, 1862, General Robert E. Lee 's infantry crossed
2624-578: The oldest towns in West Virginia . Established on December 23, 1762, by consecutive acts passed by the Virginia House of Burgesses and approved by the governor, Mecklenburg (later renamed Shepherdstown), and Romney in Hampshire County are the oldest towns in West Virginia . On a list of more than 30 approved "publick and private bills" of that date, the bill containing An Act for establishing
Rumsey Hall (Shepherdstown, West Virginia) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2688-460: The paranormal show Ghosts of Shepherdstown , starring Nick Groff , Elizabeth Saint , and Bill Hartley. Shepherdstown is located in the upper Shenandoah Valley along the Potomac River in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia . According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 0.37 square miles (0.96 km ), all land. Bedrock exposures of Cambrian -aged Conococheague limestone and dolomite are frequent in
2752-525: The periphery, which included Iroquoian , Siouan and Algonquian -language family tribes. Known native settlements within the Valley were few but included the Shawnee occupying the region around Winchester, and Tuscarora around what is now Martinsburg, West Virginia . In the late 1720s and 1730s, Quakers and Mennonites began to move in from Pennsylvania . They were tolerated by the natives, while " Long Knives " (English settlers from coastal Virginia colony ) were less welcomed. During these same decades,
2816-406: The population. There were 410 households, out of which 13.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.8% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 58.8% were non-families. 41.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.96 and
2880-438: The population. There were 518 households, of which 15.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 24.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 62.9% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
2944-416: The properties until 1873, when they moved to Piedmont, West Virginia , while retaining ownership of the hotel. The Entler Hotel was one of two in Shepherdstown run by Entlers. Daniel Entler's brother Joseph ran the Great Western Hotel, and both were the sons of a German immigrant butcher and innkeeper from York, Pennsylvania . The Entler Hotel was the chief venue in Shepherdstown for social events. After
3008-452: The reports and later became the first permanent settler in the Valley was Adam Miller (Mueller), who in 1727 staked out claims on the south fork of the Shenandoah River, near the line that now divides Rockingham County from Page County. The Great Wagon Road (later called the Valley Pike or Valley Turnpike) began as the Great Warriors Trail or Indian Road, a Native road through common hunting grounds shared by several tribes settled around
3072-402: The same time, the Globe Tavern opened, offering overnight accommodations. In 1815, Bedinger sold the property to James Brown and Edward Lucas for $ 6,000. In 1820 it was again sold, to Thomas Crown of Washington, D.C. , for $ 4000. By this time the tavern was managed by Thomas James and the hotel by Daniel Entler. In 1823, Daniel Entler became the manager of the entire property. The Entlers managed
3136-492: The setting for the 1965 film Shenandoah and its 1974 musical adaptation . Both stories follow the Anderson family during the Civil War. An associated song by James Stewart titled "The Legend of Shenandoah" was a very minor hit in 1965, reaching #133 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart. One of the most famous cultural references to the area does not mention the valley itself: West Virginia's state song , " Take Me Home, Country Roads " by John Denver , contains
3200-409: The shingles destroyed many brick homes, mills, stores and outbuildings. Running along the Maryland side of the Potomac River, the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal reached Shepherdstown in the early 1830s. Lock no. 38—named "Shepherdstown River Lock"—was built across from Shepherdstown at mile 72.7 of the canal. One of only three of its kind on the canal, it allowed canal boats to transfer between
3264-404: The significant minority of Irish Catholics in particular was not uncommon or stigmatized), and while fewer Catholic parents required that their children be disinherited in their wills if they renounced Catholicism, it remained more common among Catholic parents to do so if their children renounced their parents' faith than it was in the rest of the U.S. population. Governor Spotswood had arranged
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#17328723297753328-427: The soldiers. The Oneida delivered bushels of dry corn to the troops to help them survive. Polly Cooper, an Oneida woman, stayed some time with the troops to teach them how to cook the corn properly and care for the sick. General Washington gave her a shawl in thanks, which is displayed at Shako:wi, the museum of the Oneida Nation near Syracuse, New York . Many Oneida believe that after the war, George Washington named
3392-411: The surrounding area. On December 3, 1787, James Rumsey conducted a successful trial of his new invention, the steamboat, in the Potomac at the north end of Princess Street. The first newspaper— The Potomac Guardian and Berkley Advertiser —and book ( The Christian Panoply ) in what is now West Virginia were published here (1790s). (The Shepherdstown Public Library has a copy of the book.) Shepherdstown
3456-439: The town of Mecklenburg, in the county of Frederick immediately follows An act for establishing the town of Romney, in the county of Hampshire, and for other purposes therein-mentioned. The first British colonial settlers began their migration into the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley in the early 18th century. Many crossed the Potowmack (now Potomac) River at Pack Horse Ford, about one mile (1.6 km) down river from
3520-595: The town, and form cliffs between the settled area and the Potomac River. As of the census of 2010, there were 1,734 people, 518 households, and 192 families living in the town. The population density was 4,686.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,809.5/km ). There were 583 housing units at an average density of 1,575.7 per square mile (608.4/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 85.5% White , 9.5% African American , 0.1% Native American , 1.3% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 1.0% from other races , and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of
3584-402: The town. The population density was 2,217.7 inhabitants per square mile (856.3/km ). There were 454 housing units at an average density of 1,253.8 per square mile (484.1/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 80.20% White , 17.19% African American , 0.50% Native American , 0.87% Asian , 0.12% Pacific Islander , and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.87% of
3648-406: The tribe to side with the colonials against the British. Four Iroquois nations became British allies and caused many fatalities and damage in the frontier settlements west of Albany . Skenandoa led 250 warriors against the British and Iroquois allies. According to Oneida oral tradition, during the harsh winter of 1777–1778 at Valley Forge , where the colonials suffered, Chief Skenando provided aid to
3712-485: The valley into Maryland. Major east-west roads cross the valley as well, providing access to the Piedmont and the Allegheny Mountains . Starting from the north, these routes include U.S. Route 50 , U.S. Route 522 , Interstate 66 , U.S. Route 33 , U.S. Route 250 , Interstate 64 , and U.S. Route 60 . CSX Transportation operates several rail lines through the valley, including the old Baltimore and Ohio Railroad , Virginia Central Railroad . Norfolk Southern operates
3776-401: The valley route continued to be used by war parties of Seneca (Iroquois) and Lenape en route from New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to attack the distant Catawba in the Carolinas, with whom they were at war. The Catawba in turn pursued the war parties northward, often overtaking them by the time they reached the Potomac. Several fierce battles were fought among the warring nations in
3840-429: Was $ 40,750, and the median income for a family was $ 55,000. Males had a median income of $ 35,833 versus $ 30,139 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 28,539. About 7.5% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over. Many of the town's historical buildings on German Street are now home to shops and cafés. The town
3904-426: Was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age in the town was 21.9 years. 7.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 55.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 15% were from 25 to 44; 14.1% were from 45 to 64; and 7.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.5% male and 53.5% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 803 people, 410 households, and 168 families living in
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#17328723297753968-579: Was established in 2013 and now has 30 member households. Three primary highways serve Shepherdstown. West Virginia Route 45 heads west from Shepherdstown to Martinsburg and Interstate 81 . West Virginia Route 230 extends southward to U.S. Route 340 near Harpers Ferry . Finally, West Virginia Route 480 extends east to cross the Potomac River into Maryland, continuing as Maryland Route 34 towards Sharpsburg . Westward, WV 480 connects to West Virginia Route 9 . Shenandoah Valley The Shenandoah Valley ( / ˌ ʃ ɛ n ə n ˈ d oʊ ə / )
4032-414: Was the birthplace of Robert Lucas (1781), the future governor of Ohio and territorial governor of Iowa. A second charter, which allowed for self-government, was granted by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1794. In 1798, the corporate limits were extended and the name was changed to Shepherd's Town. After the American Civil War , the town's name was officially contracted to Shepherdstown. The clay soil in
4096-418: Was then leased to the state and Shepherd College was born. In 2004, the Shepherd College became Shepherd University. The East Campus occupies about one-third of the town proper, and the West Campus occupies a large area just northwest of the corporate limits. The Shepherdstown Historic District was established and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, with a boundary expansion to include
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