Berkeley County

Berkeley County was formed in 1772 from the northern third of Frederick County, Virginia. Although it remained a part of both Virginia and the Confederacy throughout the Civil War, Berkeley County real estate joined the newly-formed state of West Virginia in 1866, during Reconstruction. Now it is the fastest-growing county in the state, and ranked within the top three percent of fastest-growing counties in the nation.

It’s easy to see why Berkeley County real estate is in demand. Much the county’s appeal stems from its location at the northern terminus of the 200-mile long Shenandoah Valley, one of the top ten travel destinations in the U.S. The county, appropriately known as the “Northernmost Gateway to the Shenandoah Valley,” is within easy driving distance of such popular attractions as Skyline and Luray Caverns, Bryce Mountain Resort, and Natural Bridge. This makes Berkeley County real estate especially appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.

Berkeley County’s natural beauty forms a scenic backdrop to its meticulously preserved historic buildings. Berkeley County real estate is home to 106 of the Eastern Panhandle’s 245 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the most famous is the Belle Boyd House, former home of Confederate spy Belle Boyd. Nearly demolished in 1992 to make room for a parking lot, the house was rescued by the Berkeley County Historical Society and added to the Civil War Discovery Trail in 1996. Today, ten of its rooms—as well as its herb and rose gardens—are open to tourists and Berkeley County real estate owners. The annual Berkeley County Historical Society Fall House Tour also provides entrée to some of the county’s private historic locales.

Martinsburg is the county seat of Berkeley County and is the largest city in the Eastern Panhandle. It’s also a wonderful place to buy West Virginia real estate! Martinsburg is experiencing a period of urban renewal, thanks to the assistance of the National Main Street Center (NMSC). The NMSC is a grassroots-based economic development effort that offers technical assistance, professional training, grants, and small business loans to communities interested in revitalizing downtown and neighborhood commercial districts. As a result, Martinsburg real estate is quickly developing into a vibrant cultural center that boasts a growing selection of eclectic shops and upscale dining.

The arts are an important part of life in Martinsburg. The historic Apollo Civic Theatre still calls Martinsburg real estate home and offers a wide variety of productions. The Arts Center, located in the recently-acquired 1897 Old Federal Courthouse on the western edge of downtown Martinsburg real estate, features exhibits, classes, and an annual Young Artists’ Summer Workshop. And the Heritage Crafts Center of the Eastern Panhandle offers artisans a venue to display and sell their wares to Martinsburg real estate owners and visitors.

Whether you prefer outdoor adventure, early American history, or the arts, Berkeley County real estate has it all. You can learn more about the Berkeley County housing market, including timely statistics about active inventory and the median sales price of area homes, by visiting the Berkeley County housing market report. You can also contact one of Long & Foster’s West Virginia real estate offices to find homes for sale in this appealing and diverse county.