National Register of Historic Places listings in Berkeley County, West Virginia facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about the old buildings and places in your town? Many places in the United States have special historical value. To make sure these important spots are saved for the future, they can be added to something called the National Register of Historic Places. This is an official list kept by the United States government.
In Berkeley County, West Virginia, there are many such special places! In fact, there are 119 properties and areas listed on the National Register here. One of these is even more important and is called a National Historic Landmark. These landmarks are considered nationally significant, meaning they are important to the history of the entire country.
Let's explore some of these amazing historic places in Berkeley County!
Contents
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is like a big scrapbook of America's past. It lists buildings, structures, objects, sites, and even whole neighborhoods that are important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized for its special value. This helps protect it and can even provide support for its upkeep.
Historic Homes and Buildings
Berkeley County is home to many old houses and buildings that tell stories of the past. These places show us how people lived, worked, and built things long ago.
Beautiful Old Houses
Many homes in the county are on the list. For example, the Abell-Kilbourn House in Martinsburg was added in 1994. It's a great example of old architecture. Another interesting home is Aspen Hall, also in Martinsburg, listed in 1980. Imagine the families who lived in these houses over the centuries!
The Thomas Brown House in Inwood (listed 1986) and the James Nathanial Burwell House near Ridgeway (listed 1991) are other examples of historic homes. These houses often have unique designs and were built using methods from long ago.
Important Public Buildings
Some buildings on the list served important public roles. The Apollo Theatre in Martinsburg, listed in 1979, is a historic movie theater. Think of all the movies and shows people have enjoyed there over the years!
The Federal Aviation Administration Records Center in Martinsburg, listed in 1974, is another significant building. It once served as a federal courthouse and post office, showing how important Martinsburg was in the region.
Historic Districts and Neighborhoods
Sometimes, it's not just one building that's important, but a whole group of buildings or an entire neighborhood. These are called Historic Districts. They give us a glimpse into what a town or area looked like in the past.
Martinsburg's Historic Areas
Martinsburg has several historic districts. The Downtown Martinsburg Historic District (listed 1980) includes many of the old shops and buildings in the heart of the city. Walking through it is like stepping back in time!
The Baltimore and Ohio and Related Industries Historic District (listed 1980) highlights the city's strong connection to railroads. This area includes buildings and structures linked to the famous Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Martinsburg Shops within this district are so important they are a National Historic Landmark! These shops were vital for repairing and building trains.
Other districts in Martinsburg include the Boomtown Historic District (listed 1980), the Boyd Avenue Historic District (listed 2007), and the East Martinsburg Historic District (listed 1980). These areas show how Martinsburg grew and changed over time.
Other County Historic Districts
Beyond Martinsburg, other towns in Berkeley County also have historic districts. The Bunker Hill Historic District (listed 1980) and the Gerrardstown Historic District (listed 1991) preserve the unique character of these smaller communities. The Hedgesville Historic District (listed 1980) also showcases the history of that town.
These districts often include a mix of homes, churches, and businesses that together tell the story of the community.
Farms, Mills, and Other Structures
The National Register also includes historic farms, industrial sites, and other structures that played a role in the county's development.
Old Farms and Rural Sites
Many farms in Berkeley County are listed, showing the area's agricultural past. Ar-Qua Springs near Arden (listed 1976) and Cool Spring Farm near Gerrardstown (listed 1994) are examples of these historic farms. They remind us of the farming traditions that shaped the region.
Industrial and Infrastructure Sites
The Continental Clay Brick Plant (listed 1980) southeast of Martinsburg is an example of an industrial site. It shows the county's history in manufacturing.
Bridges and power plants are also important. The Van Metre Ford Stone Bridge (listed 1977) east of Martinsburg is a beautiful old stone bridge. The Power Plant and Dam No. 4 (listed 1980) and Power Plant and Dam No. 5 (listed 1980) on the Potomac River are examples of early infrastructure that provided power to the area.
Cemeteries and Schools
Even cemeteries and schools can be historic places!
Historic Cemeteries
Green Hill Cemetery Historic District in Martinsburg (listed 1980) and Harmony Cemetery in Marlowe (listed 1980) are listed. These places are important because they contain the graves of many people who shaped the county's history. They also show us how cemeteries were designed and used in the past.
Old Schools
The Marlowe Consolidated School (listed 2006) and Mt. Pleasant School near Gerrardstown (listed 2008) are examples of historic schools. These buildings remind us of how education has changed over time and the importance of learning in the community.
These are just a few examples of the many fascinating places in Berkeley County that are preserved on the National Register of Historic Places. Each one has a unique story to tell about the history of West Virginia and the United States!
Images for kids
-
Abell-Kilbourn House
-
Apollo Theatre
-
Ar-Qua Springs
-
Aspen Hall
-
Baldwin-Grantham House
-
Baltimore and Ohio and Related Industries Historic District
-
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Martinsburg Shops
-
Boomtown Historic District
-
Boyd Avenue Historic District
-
Boydville
-
Boydville Historic District
-
Thomas Brown House
-
Bunker Hill Historic District
-
James Nathanial Burwell House
-
Campbellton
-
Clary's Mountain Historic District
-
Edward Colston House
-
Continental Clay Brick Plant
-
Cool Spring Farm
-
Samuel Cunningham House
-
Darkesville Historic District
-
Charles Downs II House
-
Downtown Martinsburg Historic District
-
John Drinker House
-
East Martinsburg Historic District
-
Edgewood
-
John Evans House
-
Federal Aviation Administration Records Center
-
Teter Myers French House
-
Gerrardstown Historic District
-
Washington Gold House
-
Green Hill Cemetery Historic District
-
Harlan Spring Historic District
-
Harmony Cemetery
-
Hays-Gerrard House
-
Hedges Chapel
-
Decatur Hedges House
-
Owen Tudor Hedges House
-
Hedges-Lemen House
-
Hedges-Robinson-Myers House
-
Hedgesville Historic District
-
George Washington Hollida House
-
Hughes-Cunningham House
-
Jones Mill Run Historic District
-
Kearfott-Bane House
-
Elizabeth Kunkel House
-
Lee-Throckmorton-McDonald House
-
Lick Run Plantation
-
Maidstone Manor Farm
-
Maidstone-on-the-Potomac
-
Marlowe Consolidated School
-
Martinsburg Mining, Manufacturing & Improvement Co. Historic District
-
Gilbert and Samuel McKown House
-
Mill Creek Historic District
-
Miller Tavern and Farm
-
Morgan Chapel and Graveyard
-
William G. Morgan House
-
Morgan-Gold House
-
Mt. Pleasant School
-
Mount Zion Baptist Church
-
George W. F. Mulliss House
-
Newcomer Mansion
-
Opequon Golf Club
-
Orndoff-Cross House
-
Overlook
-
Parks's Gap Bridge
-
Elias Pitzer House
-
Power Plant and Dam No. 4
-
Power Plant and Dam No. 5
-
Rauch House
-
John, David, and Jacob Rees House
-
Morris Rees III House
-
Robinson-Tabb House
-
Rosemont Historic District
-
Rush-Miller House
-
George Schlack House
-
Scrabble Historic District
-
Henry J. Seibert II House
-
Snodgrass Tavern
-
Benjamin H. Snyder House
-
South Water Street Historic District
-
Spring Mills Historic District
-
Adam Stephen House
-
Stone House Mansion
-
Strode-Morrison-Tabler House and Farm
-
Swan Pond
-
Swan Pond Manor Historic District
-
Edward Tabb House
-
Tabler's Station Historic District
-
Thunder Hill Farm
-
Tomahawk Spring
-
Priscilla Strode Turner House
-
Tuscarora Creek Historic District
-
Van Metre Ford Stone Bridge
-
Jacob VanDoren House
-
John VanMetre House
-
Nathan VanMetre House
-
Thomas VanMetre House
-
West Martinsburg Historic District
-
White Bush
-
Mary Park Wilson House
-
William Wilson House
