Bunker Hill Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bunker Hill Historic District
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Bunker Hill Mill in 1980
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jct. of US 11 and Rt. 26, Bunker Hill, West Virginia |
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| Area | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Architectural style | Stick/eastlake, Gothic Revival, American Greek Revival |
| MPS | Berkeley County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004412 |
| Added to NRHP | December 10, 1980 |
The Bunker Hill Historic District is a special historical area in the town of Bunker Hill, West Virginia. It's found along US 11, which was once an important road connecting Martinsburg, West Virginia and Winchester, Virginia. Bunker Hill was a busy place, serving the southern part of Berkeley County. It had many businesses like stores and mills, plus several churches. A large number of African-American people also lived here.
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Exploring Bunker Hill's History
Bunker Hill became an important center for trade and community life. It grew around a main road that linked two bigger towns. This made it a good spot for businesses and homes.
How Bunker Hill Began
Much of the land around Bunker Hill belonged to General Elisha Boyd. He started what was like a small industrial village. This included two mills, a place for making bricks, and a cooperage (where barrels were made). He also had a store on his large Edgewood Manor plantation.
After General Boyd passed away in 1841, his son John continued to develop the area. He sold some land lots and built another store. He also built a log house. The very southern parts of the town were sold to African Americans. This area became known as "Black Row."
Important Buildings to See
The Bunker Hill Historic District has many old and important buildings. These buildings help us understand what life was like long ago.
Notable Structures
- Boyd's Store: This is a brick house built before the American Civil War. It shows how people lived and worked back then.
- Jesse Brilhart Store: This store was built around 1852. It stayed open as a store all the way into the 1980s. You can still see its original inside parts.
- North Music School: This is a two-story building made of stone. It was likely a place where people learned music.
- Boyd House: This two-story building looks a lot like the old Bunker Hill Store.
- Bunker Hill Methodist Church: This church was built in 1912. It has a special design called Gothic Revival.
- The Parsonage: This house is in a style called Late Victorian Gothic. It still has some of its original decorative details.
- Mount Tabor Baptist Church: This is a one-story building located on "Black Row." It served the African-American community.
- New Presbyterian Church: This church was first built in 1854. It was badly damaged during the Civil War. It was rebuilt in 1879 in the Romanesque Revival style.
The Bunker Hill Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
