Berkeley County
at a glance:
- Major Cities: Martinsburg
- Landmarks/National Monuments/Parks: Belle Boyd House, Apollo Civic Theatre, Heritage Crafts Center of the Eastern Panhandle, James Nathaniel Burwell House, Mount Zion Baptist Church, Aspen Hall
- Major Industry: Retail, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Social Assistance
- Counties: Jefferson, Morgan
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Long & Foster Living
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 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.
Berkeley County’s natural beauty forms a scenic backdrop to its meticulously preserved
historic buildings. The county 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. The annual
Berkeley County Historical Society Fall House Tour also provides entrée to some
of the county’s private historic locales.
More Berkeley County real estate info...
Martinsburg is the county seat of Berkeley County and is a wonderful place to buy
West Virginia real estate. With its population of over 15,000, it is the largest
city in the eastern panhandle. 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
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 city’s historic Apollo
Civic Theatre offers a wide variety of productions in addition to its prestigious
Youth Summer Theatre Workshop. The Arts Center, located in the recently-acquired
1897 Old Federal Courthouse on the western edge of downtown Martinsburg, 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.
Whether you prefer outdoor adventure, early American history, or the arts, Berkeley
County real estate has it all. To find homes for sale in this appealing and diverse county,
contact one of Long & Foster’s West Virginia
real estate offices.
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