The oldest town in West Virginia, Shepherdstown pre-dates the Revolutionary War. It is a quaint town filled with artisanal shops and eateries and is home to Shepherd University, which adds immensely to the town’s cultural atmosphere. Six natural springs form streams that meander through the town. These are evident when taking a walk down German Street and even when dining at one of the local restaurants, since one stream runs through the center of the outdoor seating area.
The Shepherdstown area was home to the first colonial settlers in the Shenandoah Valley. James Rumsey, the inventor of the steamboat, conducted a trial run of his invention there in 1787. The C&O Canal came to the town in the 1830s. Shepherdstown is the only town in West Virginia that has a lock named after it – Lock 38. With the Civil War came the nearby Battle of Antietam; its aftermath filled every building and street in the town with the wounded and dying. Elmwood Cemetery contains the graves of 285 Confederate veterans and offers a self-guided walking tour. Shepherdstown was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and continues to enchant visitors from far and wide.
About the Canal Towns Partnership
The Canal Towns Partnership was formed in 2011 to promote mutually beneficial economic activity for the communities in and around the C&O Canal National Historical Park. To date, 11 towns have joined the partnership. For more information or to get involved, sign up for our email newsletter or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
