JEFFERSON COUNTY
County Offices
100 E. Washington Street
Charles Town WV 304-728-3284
www.jeffersoncountywv.org
Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
Box 426
Charles Town WV 304-725-2055
www.jeffersoncountywvchamber.org
Located in the extreme eastern portion of West Virginia, Jefferson County rolls down from the Blue Ridge into an open valley dotted with apple orchards, horse properties and patchwork farm fields. Boasting several towns that are rich in historical significance, the county provides a variety of serene residential havens in close proximity to the metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, DC.
While many newcomers to Jefferson County are commuters who consider their home a “bedroom community,” a thriving local economy provides employment for a growing number of residents. Reasonable land prices, open spaces, a low tax base and a quality work force are all contributing to rapid growth of industry, commerce and business. Residential developers, too, are recognizing the opportunities for new subdivisions along the outskirts of small but friendly towns.
Economy and Transportation
Jefferson County plays a vital role in West Virginia’s agricultural production, particularly in the areas of fruit, dairy and cattle for premium beef. Other diverse industries include chemicals, limestone and dolomite quarrying, brass and metal fabrication, and textiles. As part of the Greater Washington Statistical Area, Jefferson County is experiencing a flurry of development from shopping centers and office complexes to federal government installations.
Jefferson County boasts an efficient transportation network of highway and rail service. State Route 9 links the county to Interstate 81 and Interstate 95. Route 340 provides connections to US 40, 15 and 50 as well as Interstates 70, 270 and 81. The Martinsburg Airport is only minutes away, although the expanded facilities of Dulles International Airport is only 35 miles to the east. Major bus terminals are available within a 30-mile radius, and Pan Tran provides local bus service to Jefferson and Berkeley Counties.
Education and Healthcare
Area youth receive a quality education in neighborhood schools, both public and private. An excellent teacher/pupil ratio fosters an atmosphere of individual attention, which allows students to achieve their potential academically, socially and emotionally. Vocational and technical schools combine with community colleges for a full range of two-year degrees and certifications. Colleges and universities are prolific in the Baltimore/Washington DC areas, although Shepherd College in Shepherdstown offers over 75 degree programs just minutes from home.
State-of-the-art healthcare is available in two facilities in Jefferson County. The 114-bed Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson is planning to extend its services to facilities in Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown. The Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Charles Town boasts over 700 beds, including a nursing home and rehabilitation center. On weekends and evenings, Charles Town also provides an Urgent Care Center conveniently located in the Somerset Village Shopping Center.
Lifestyle
A triad of historic towns – Charles Town, Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown – serve as the focal point of Jefferson County’s commerce and entertainment. Small but modern shopping centers are conveniently located in Charles Town, Ranson and Shepherdstown; complemented by several renovated downtown districts that are lined with charming shops and unique boutiques.
In communities like Charles Town or nearby Ranson, you’ll discover handsome older homes on quiet, tree-lined streets. In Shepherdstown, almost any streetscape could be captured on a postcard. This quaint college town not only offers great restaurants, galleries, bakeries and bookstores, it serves as the cultural center of Jefferson County. The presence of Shepherdstown College ensures an impressive library and a full calendar of concerts, performing arts, lectures and exhibits.
Rapidly growing developments around each of the municipalities provide an abundance of attractive housing options. Homes that offer wooded sites, spectacular views, river or lake access, lavish club houses and premier recreational amenities can all be found in Jefferson County. Dotting the countryside are small rural subdivisions, generally divided into acre lots or larger. Small or sprawling horse properties are also available for those who want to own or raise horses.
Newcomers will find a pleasing mixture of culture, recreation and entertainment. Aficionados of history can tour the old courthouse in Charles town where John Brown was tried for treason, while adventure seekers may prefer the excitement of thoroughbred racing and simulcast betting at the Charles Town Races. Summer theater, concerts, festivals and seasonal celebrations are all part of the rich cultural legacy in Jefferson County.
The Shenandoah and the Potomac Rivers form a playground for whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, flatwater boating and fishing. Hikers, joggers, cyclists, campers, equestrians and backpackers are able to choose from outstanding recreational areas and miles of groomed trails. With its unspoiled natural beauty and tranquil residential communities, it is little wonder that Jefferson County is poised for continued growth and expansion as an exceptional place to live, play and work.
Bakerton
Residents of the small town of Bakerton can enjoy the quiet, starlit nights and relaxed atmosphere of rural life in close proximity to three major towns: Shepherdstown and Charles Town in West Virginia and Frederick, Maryland. Historic Harpers Ferry is also nearby, offering a day’s outing filled with countryside beauty and historical interest. This traditional agricultural area blends older homes with newer construction in a variety of architectural styles and price ranges. The nearby Potomac River is ideal for outdoor activity and recreation, from paddle sports to fishing. Shepherd College is minutes from home, providing both cultural and educational opportunities.
Charles Town
City Offices
304-725-2311
www.charlestownwv.us
Chamber of Commerce
304-725-2055
www.jeffersoncountywvchamber.org
Named for George Washington’s brother, the county seat of Charles Town offers a lively yet charming 19th century atmosphere to its 3,122 residents. Beautiful older homes with meticulous landscaping and large shade trees line the city streets. A strong magnet for visitors, Charles Town has a well-developed commercial district of bed and breakfasts, unique shops and fine restaurants. The Jefferson County Courthouse where John Brown was tried for treason is just one of the many historic landmarks, and residents can enjoy community theater just beyond the front doorstep in the Old Opera House. Fast-paced fun is available locally at the Charles Town Races or nearby at the Summit Point Raceway. Jefferson Memorial Park provides a wealth of sports fields and equipment and a swimming pool. Hiking and biking trails, water sports, golf courses and the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area are all nearby.
Harpers Ferry
Town Hall
304-535-2206
www.harpersferrywv.us
Chamber of Commerce
304-725-2055
www.jeffersoncountywvchamber.org
Home to just 336 residents, Harpers Ferry is historically famous as the site where abolitionist John Brown staged his raid on the US Arsenal. The center of the town is preserved as a National Historical Park and part of the Civil War Discovery Trail, offering a collection of small museums housed in original buildings. Throughout the town’s tranquil neighborhoods, charming colonial and Victorian homes are graced by colorful blooms, sweeping greens and mature native trees. A haven for antique shops and unique crafts, Harpers Ferry also hosts a weekend outdoor bazaar on US 340 in the spring, summer and fall. Possibilities for leisure activities including strolling to nearby Virginia Island or hiking along the C & O Canal towpath or the Appalachian Trail. Anglers can relax as they fish the area’s well-stocked rivers and streams, while adventure-seekers enjoy paddle sports like canoeing or white-water rafting on the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.
Kearneysville
Another small town nestled in the colorful Eastern Panhandle, Kearneysville is home to a quaint commercial district. This veritable paradise of inviting cafes, restaurants and shops includes original treasures from baskets and pottery to the finest handmade furniture. Newcomers will find quiet neighborhoods and tree-lined streets, where attractive older homes are available in a variety of architectural styles and price ranges. The periphery of town and surrounding countryside also offer new residential development for those who prefer modern construction. For serious shopping trips or a wider array of antiques, residents are just minutes from the outlet stores of Martinsburg. In addition to the close proximity of Interstate 81, Amtrak provides convenient passenger train service to nearby cities and leading metropolitan areas like Washington, DC. Panoramic city and state parklands are available for picnicking and sports, boat rides and hiking or biking trails along the towpath of the C & O National Historic Park or the scenic Appalachian Trail.
Ranson
City Offices
304-725-1010
http://cityofransonwv.net/
Chamber of Commerce
304-725-2055
www.jeffersoncountywvchamber.org
The “sister” city to historic Charles Town, Ranson is home to 2,890 residents. Older homes along tree-lined streets make up the city’s long-established neighborhoods, although newer construction is available along the outskirts of town. Commercial activity is expanding in this peripheral area as well, dotting the edge of town with convenient stores and services. Most of the Ranson youth live within walking distance of the neighborhood elementary school. Nearby Jefferson Memorial Park offers such amenities as ballfields, sports equipment and a swimming pool. The Charles Town Races represents a regional attraction. Also close to home is the vast expanse of Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Rippon
Situated along Route 340 just minutes from the Virginia border is the small residential community of Rippon. Offering a selection of well-kept older homes lining quiet, shaded streets, Rippon is another target for growth as the new millennium unfolds. Open space and land for new construction is attracting the interest of those who desire a rural environment in close proximity to commercial amenities and a reasonable distance from major metropolitan centers like Washington, DC and Baltimore. The Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers combine with forests, wetlands, lakes and historic parks for virtually unlimited recreational opportunities close to home.
Shenandoah Junction
Ideally situated between Shepherdstown and Charles Town, Shenandoah Junction provides a small-town atmosphere in a primarily rural environment. A scattering of commercial activity meets the daily needs for goods and services, although residents are just a short drive from the expanded amenities of Sheperdstown. Area youth not only receive a quality education in neighborhood schools, but Jefferson High School is located just outside of town. Opportunities for higher education close to home include Shepherd College in nearby Shepherdstown as well as vocational/technical training institutions and community colleges. Water sports on area rivers combines with swimming, skating, skiing, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, tennis and golf for a full complement of recreational opportunities.
Shepherdstown
Town Offices
304-876-2312
www.shepherdstown.us
Chamber of Commerce
304-725-2055
www.jeffersoncountywvchamber.org
Distinguished as one of West Virginia’s oldest towns, Shepherdstown mixes the intellectual stimulation of a college town with tranquil neighborhoods for its 1,417 residents. Here, you’ll discover charming restaurants, small cafes, intriguing bookstores and specialty shops tucked behind wooden storefronts. Offering a small-town atmosphere rich in educational and cultural opportunities, Shepherdstown hosts the Contemporary American Theater Festival in July, designated as a favorite outing by The Washington Post. Steeped in Revolutionary and Civil War history, the town features a monument to former resident James Rumsey, who pioneered the steam-powered boat two decades before Fulton’s famous chug down the Hudson River. Morgan’s Grove is a lush gathering place with a baseball diamond, picnic grounds and pavilion, playground and soccer fields. Nearby recreational amenities include golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, lush parks and rivers for water sports.
Summit Point
Another residential community graced by the natural beauty of a rural environment, Summit Point offers a location near Charles Town to its 1,026 residents. Well-served by Routes 1 and 13, Summit Point residents enjoy a quick trip to the stores and services of Charles Town and Ranson. Complementing the Charles Town Races is the Summit Point Race Track, where late-model sports cars speed along a two-mile dirt track. Housing options range from stately older homes along tree-lined streets to newer construction with the possibility of large lots, graceful old trees or plenty of open space. Recreational opportunities include water sports on the Shenandoah River and hiking or biking the many trails of nearby state parks.
