The Two Oldest Towns In West Virginia Are Full Of History

The oldest town in West Virginia is…Romney! Or is it Shepherdstown? Well, it depends who you ask.

It’s contested whether Romney or Shepherdstown is the oldest town in West Virginia, but both towns were chartered in 1762. Here are some of the places you can visit to learn about the history in each town.

Romney

WikiMedia Commons/Justin A.Wilcox The city of Romney has a number of historic homes, including this mansion and farm named Wappocomo. It was home to the influential Parsons family.

WikiMedia Commons/Justin A.Wilcox Also located on the property is this home called Washington Place, which is one of the first homes that was built by a freed slave.

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad also boards on the farm. Once part of the B&O railroad, it now hosts tours where visitors can get a good look at nearby bald eagles.

WikiMedia Commons/Justin A.Wilcox Romney was once a location for a Coca-Cola bottling plant, which was open from 1939-1990.

WikiMedia Commons/Justin A.Wilcox The Romney Indian Mound was a burial site for the Hopewell Indians. It now also serves as a cemetery for prominent West Virginians.

WikiMedia Commons/Justin A.Wilcox Located in the cemetery is the first memorial for fallen Confederate soldiers from the Civil War. Romney was especially torn by the Civil war, as some of its citizens sided with the Union, and others sided with the Confederacy.

Shepherdstown

Historic Shepherdstown and Museum You can learn all about Shepherdstown’s past in the Historic Shepherdstown Museum. It’s located in the Entler Hotel, which is rumored to be haunted.

James Rumsey.org Behind the hotel is a smaller museum dedicated to James Rumsey, who built one of the earliest steamboats and launched it in Shepherdstown. A working model of his steamboat is housed in the building.

Shepherdstown Mysteries Walk History and legend are intertwined in the Shepherdstown Mysteries Walk, a tour of the town that runs at dusk on Fridays and Saturdays. Some people have experienced strange events during the tours.

Shaharazade’s Restaurant & Tea Room/Facebook If chatting over a cup of tea is more your style, you can also attend talks about the history and ghost legends at Shaharazade’s Restaurant & Tea Room. The talk is called “Tea with the Dearly Departed.”

Opera House Live/Facebook Finally, enjoy a concert or a film at the Shepherdstown Opera House. It was built in 1910, and still retains a classic charm.

What’s your favorite location from West Virginia’s earliest days?

WikiMedia Commons/Justin A.Wilcox

The city of Romney has a number of historic homes, including this mansion and farm named Wappocomo. It was home to the influential Parsons family.

Also located on the property is this home called Washington Place, which is one of the first homes that was built by a freed slave.

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad also boards on the farm. Once part of the B&O railroad, it now hosts tours where visitors can get a good look at nearby bald eagles.

Romney was once a location for a Coca-Cola bottling plant, which was open from 1939-1990.

The Romney Indian Mound was a burial site for the Hopewell Indians. It now also serves as a cemetery for prominent West Virginians.

Located in the cemetery is the first memorial for fallen Confederate soldiers from the Civil War. Romney was especially torn by the Civil war, as some of its citizens sided with the Union, and others sided with the Confederacy.

Historic Shepherdstown and Museum

You can learn all about Shepherdstown’s past in the Historic Shepherdstown Museum. It’s located in the Entler Hotel, which is rumored to be haunted.

James Rumsey.org

Behind the hotel is a smaller museum dedicated to James Rumsey, who built one of the earliest steamboats and launched it in Shepherdstown. A working model of his steamboat is housed in the building.

Shepherdstown Mysteries Walk

History and legend are intertwined in the Shepherdstown Mysteries Walk, a tour of the town that runs at dusk on Fridays and Saturdays. Some people have experienced strange events during the tours.

Shaharazade’s Restaurant & Tea Room/Facebook

If chatting over a cup of tea is more your style, you can also attend talks about the history and ghost legends at Shaharazade’s Restaurant & Tea Room. The talk is called “Tea with the Dearly Departed.”

Opera House Live/Facebook

Finally, enjoy a concert or a film at the Shepherdstown Opera House. It was built in 1910, and still retains a classic charm.

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