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Shepherdstown Historic District

Coordinates: 39°25′58″N 77°48′24″W / 39.43278°N 77.80667°W / 39.43278; -77.80667
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Shepherdstown Historic District
German Street
Shepherdstown Historic District is located in West Virginia
Shepherdstown Historic District
Shepherdstown Historic District is located in the United States
Shepherdstown Historic District
LocationShepherdstown, West Virginia
Coordinates39°25′58″N 77°48′24″W / 39.43278°N 77.80667°W / 39.43278; -77.80667
Architectural styleFederal
NRHP reference No.73001920, 87001205
Added to NRHPAugust 17, 1973, expanded July 22, 1987[1]

The Shepherdstown Historic District comprises the historic core of Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The town is the oldest in West Virginia, founded in 1762 as Mecklenburg. No structures are known to exist from the time before the town became known as Shepherdstown. The historic district is concentrated along German Street, the main street, with 386 contributing resources and 69 non-contributing elements. The chief representative period is the late 18th century, with many Federal style brick houses. German Street is also furnished with 19th-century "street furniture" such as metal fences, mounting blocks, wooden pumps and mature trees.

The town has a significant place in American history. James Rumsey made a public demonstration of a steamboat in 1787 on the nearby Potomac River. Shepherdstown was proposed as the National Capital in 1790, losing to Alexandria, Virginia, and Georgetown, Maryland, at the tidal headwaters of the Potomac. During the Civil War, Shepherdstown was in a pivotal position, with Confederate forces burning the covered bridge over the Potomac in 1861, then using nearby Pack Horse Ford to and from the Battle of Antietam. The entire town became a field hospital following this action. Later, Union troops occupied the town to preserve the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad link to the west.

Some of the more significant elements are:

  • Baker House, a Federal style brick house with a Roman Revival porch, dating to the 1790s. It was the home of US Representative John Baker.
  • The Great Western Hotel, owned by Jacob Entler. Originally a log structure, it was extensively modified in the early 19th century.
  • The Presbyterian Manse, a brick Federal style or Classical Revival house, home of John Kearsley, a prominent local landowner.
  • Trinity Episcopal Rectory, a Federal style house that was a home of John Baker, as well as US Representative Thomas Van Swearingen.
  • The Lane House, a Federal style house once owned by Harriet Lane, niece and hostess for President James Buchanan.
  • The Sheetz House, a Federal style house where muskets were manufactured during the American Revolutionary War.
  • The Old Market House, the town's former market built in 1800, with stepped gable ends. A second story was added in 1845 by the Odd Fellows with a 999-year lease. The first floor has been a public library since 1922.
McMurran Hall
Old Market House

The historic district was expanded in 1987 to include properties from the late 19th century, including the Register Building, the Opera House and the Jefferson Security Bank. The expansion also includes Elmwood Cemetery, with a large number of Civil War graves. Outer portions of the expanded district include American Foursquare and bungalow styles of housing. The older portions of the Shepherd University campus are also included.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ Ted McGee (April 2, 1973). "National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Shepherdstown Historic District" (pdf). National Park Service.
  3. ^ Paula Stoner Reed (September 26, 1987). "National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Shepherdstown Historic District (Boundary Increase)" (pdf). National Park Service.