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Hedgesville, West Virginia facts for kids

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Hedgesville, West Virginia
Central Hedgesville
Central Hedgesville
Location of Hedgesville in Berkeley County, West Virginia.
Location of Hedgesville in Berkeley County, West Virginia.
Country United States
State West Virginia
County Berkeley
Area
 • Total 0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2)
 • Land 0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
633 ft (193 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 318
 • Estimate 
(2019)
297
 • Density 2,267.18/sq mi (872.39/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
25427
Area code(s) 304
FIPS code 54-36220
GNIS feature ID 2390239
Website https://www.hedgesvillewv.us/

Hedgesville is a small town in Berkeley County, West Virginia. It is located in the eastern part of the state, known as the Eastern Panhandle. In 2010, about 318 people lived here.

The town is situated along WV 9. This road is about 13 miles east of Berkeley Springs. Beyond the official town limits, "Hedgesville" also refers to a larger area. This wider region stretches from the Potomac River to the north and east.

Discovering Hedgesville's Past

Early Settlers and Native Americans

Before European settlers arrived, the Tuscarora people lived in the Hedgesville area. They were the original inhabitants of this land.

Later, in the 1700s, a man named William Snodgrass came to the American colonies. He was one of the first European settlers in the Hedgesville area. You can find his burial place in the cemetery of Tuscarora Presbyterian Church.

How Hedgesville Became a Town

Hedgesville was officially started by a law passed on February 11, 1836. This law came from the Virginia General Assembly, which was the government body for Virginia at the time. The town was planned out in 1832 along an old road called Warm Springs Road, which is now West Virginia Route 9.

The town was named after the important local Hedges family. In 1854, Hedgesville became an officially incorporated town. This meant it had its own local government. The law created a town council with seven leaders called trustees. A few years later, in 1858, a mayor was added to the council.

Today, Hedgesville is recognized as a National Register Historic District. This means it has important historical buildings and areas that are protected.

Getting Around Hedgesville

Major Roads and Connections

2016-08-25 15 32 26 View east along West Virginia State Route 9 (Hedgesville Road) at Rumbling Rock Road in Hedgesville, Berkeley County, West Virginia
WV 9 eastbound leaving Hedgesville

Two main highways serve the town of Hedgesville. The most important one is WV 9. This road goes southeast towards Martinsburg. From Martinsburg, you can connect to Interstate 81, a major highway.

If you travel northwest on WV 9, you will reach U.S. Route 522 in Berkeley Springs. The other main road is WV 901. This road starts in Hedgesville at WV 9 and goes east. It connects to I-81 near Falling Waters.

Hedgesville's Geography

Understanding the Town's Size

According to the United States Census Bureau, Hedgesville covers a total area of about 0.13 square miles (0.34 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large bodies of water like lakes or rivers within the town limits.

Who Lives in Hedgesville?

Population Changes Over Time

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 383
1890 448 17.0%
1900 342 −23.7%
1910 328 −4.1%
1920 379 15.5%
1930 361 −4.7%
1940 403 11.6%
1950 419 4.0%
1960 342 −18.4%
1970 274 −19.9%
1980 217 −20.8%
1990 227 4.6%
2000 240 5.7%
2010 318 32.5%
2020 346 8.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

The population of Hedgesville has changed over many years. The table above shows how many people lived in the town during different census years. For example, in 1880, there were 383 people, and by 2010, the population was 318.

A Look at the 2010 Census

In 2010, the census counted 318 people living in Hedgesville. These people lived in 119 households, which are like homes or apartments. There were also 82 families.

Most of the people in Hedgesville were White (90.3%). About 5.3% were African American, and smaller percentages were Native American, Asian, or from other backgrounds. About 3.1% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

The average age of people in Hedgesville was 31.2 years old. About 29.6% of residents were under 18. Also, 8.8% of the population was 65 years old or older.

Famous People from Hedgesville

Hedgesville has been home to several notable individuals:

  • Andy Boarman — a talented musician who played bluegrass and folk music.
  • Gale Catlett — a well-known basketball player and coach.
  • James G. Leyburn (1902–1993) — an American sociologist, author, and professor.
  • David O'Brien Martin — a former member of the U.S. Congress.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Hedgesville (Virginia Occidental) para niños

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