Gerrardstown, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerrardstown
Middletown
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 Gerrardstown
Location in West Virginia
Gerrardstown
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  West Virginia |
| County | Berkeley |
| Established | November 22, 1787 |
| Founded by | John Gerrard |
| Elevation | 676 ft (206 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 4,024 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
25420
|
| Area code(s) | 304, 681 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1554548 |
Gerrardstown is a small, unincorporated community located in Berkeley County, West Virginia. It sits along West Virginia Route 51 in the state's Eastern Panhandle region. This area is part of the lower Shenandoah Valley. In 2010, about 4,024 people lived in the Gerrardstown community.
Contents
History of Gerrardstown
Gerrardstown was first created on November 22, 1787. It was originally called Middletown. The Virginia General Assembly officially established it. David Gerrard laid out the town along Mill Creek. Mill Creek is a smaller stream that flows into Opequon Creek.
The town was later named after David's father, John Gerrard. John Gerrard was a Baptist minister who passed away in 1787. The community was home to the Mill Creek Baptist Church. This church was very important because it was the first Baptist church located west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Today, Gerrardstown is recognized for its history. In 1991, the Gerrardstown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special area with many old buildings. Many of the original buildings from the 1700s and 1800s are still standing there.
Historic Places to See
Gerrardstown has several historic sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These places help tell the story of the community's past.
| Site Name | Built Around | Location | Listed Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbellton (Captain James Campbell House) | circa 1780 | CR 37 | 1980 |
| Cool Spring Farm (Zackquill Morgan House) | 1761 | Runnymede Road (CR 26) | 1994 |
| Gerrardstown Historic District | 18th–19th centuries | WV 51 and Virginia Line Road | 1991 |
| Hays-Gerrard House (Gerrard House) | 1743 | Congress Street | 1985 |
| Marshy Dell (Gilbert and Samuel McKown House) | late 18th century | WV 51 | 1984 |
| Mountain View Farm (Washington Gold House) | 1854 | CR 51/2 | 1984 |
| Oban Hall (Mary Park Wilson House) | 1825 | CR 51/2 | 1985 |
| Prospect Hill (William Wilson House) | 1795 | WV 51 | 1984 |
Community Protests Against a Quarry
In 2008, a company called Continental Brick wanted to open a very large quarry in Gerrardstown. A quarry is a place where stone or other materials are dug out of the ground. This proposed quarry, named "North Mountain Shale, LLC," would have covered 100 acres.
The people of Gerrardstown quickly protested this plan. They were worried about a few things. They feared that a lot of pollution would be released into the air. They also worried that nearby Mill Creek could become polluted. Many residents get their water from this creek using spigots.
Parents in Gerrardstown and Inwood were especially concerned. They worried about the air pollution harming children playing at local schools, such as Gerrardstown Elementary School and Mountain Ridge Intermediate School.
By 2012, the state of West Virginia had allowed the mining operation to move forward.
Notable Person from Gerrardstown
- George M. Bowers was an American politician. He represented West Virginia in the United States House of Representatives.
