Kernstown, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kernstown, Virginia
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 Kernstown, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Kernstown, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Frederick |
| City | Winchester |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1499623 |
Kernstown is a small community in Virginia. It's not a separate city or town. Instead, it's an unincorporated community. This means it's a place with a shared identity but no local government of its own. Kernstown is part of the nearby city of Winchester. Some parts of Kernstown are also in Frederick County.
You can find Kernstown along a main road called the Valley Pike. This road is also known as U.S. Route 11. This area is famous for two important battles. These battles happened here during the American Civil War.
Contents
The Story Behind Kernstown's Name
Kernstown was named after a family. The Kern family were early settlers in this area.
Adam Kern, Sr. and His Journey
Adam Kern, Sr. was born in 1742. He was from Germany. In 1765, he moved from Pennsylvania to Frederick County. He settled about three miles south of Winchester. His home was along a very old road. This road was called the "Great Wagon Road." Today, we know it as Highway 11.
How Kernstown Got Its Name
The community of Kernstown was named for Adam Kern, Sr.'s son. His son was named Adam Kern, Jr. (1773-1855).
Adam Kern, Sr. bought land here. His brother, Michael Kern, also bought land nearby. Michael bought 33 acres in 1766. He bought another 36 acres in 1767. In 1773, Michael sold all his land to Adam Kern, Sr. This land was along the "Great Wagon Road." It was south of Winchester, near Opequon Creek.
The town was officially created in 1799. This happened by an act of the Virginia Assembly. It was named Kernstown at that time.
Past Names of Kernstown
Before it was called Kernstown, this area had a few other names:
- Opequon – This name came from Opequon Creek. The area was at the crossing of the "Great Wagon Road" and the creek.
- Hogue's Tavern or Hogue's Ordinary – This name came from a tavern. A tavern was a place where travelers could eat and stay. This tavern was located at the same important road and creek crossing.
- Kernsville – This name was used when the settlement grew on Adam Kern, Sr.'s land. It was a step before it became Kernstown.
