Located in the extreme eastern panhandle of West Virginia, Jefferson County covers approximately 212 miles. Its population of 50,000 is divided among a number of small communities and several noteworthy towns, including Charles Town and Harpers Ferry. The charming atmosphere of these small towns attracts many people to Jefferson County real estate.

Jefferson County’s identity is intimately tied to its rich and dynamic history. In 1801, Jefferson County was formed out of the eastern part of Berkeley County, Virginia. Sixty- five years later, shortly after the end of the Civil War, the citizens of both Jefferson and Berkeley Counties decided to join the nascent state of West Virginia. Today, Jefferson County real estate is considered part of the larger Washington-Baltimore Metro Area.

Charles Town, with a population of 3,000, is the county seat of Jefferson County. Not to be confused with West Virginia’s state capital of Charleston, Charles Town was founded by Charles Washington, the youngest full brother of George Washington. Despite its prestigious heritage, Charles Town is probably best known for the Charles Town Races & Slots, which features year-round live horse racing and over 3,800 slot machines. However, historians can still take heart: six homes belonging to the Washingtons remain standing and seventy-five members of the Washington family are buried at the town’s Zion Episcopal Church Cemetery. More recent history is also on display at the Old Opera House, a non-profit theater offering a variety of productions and concerts. Formed in 1910, and re-opened in 1971 after a twenty-three year closure, the Old Opera House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.