Washington Heritage Trail
Washington Heritage Trail 18th Century Tour
| Departure: | Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, West Virginia |
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| Destination: | Claymont Court, West Virginia |
| Time to allow: | 2 days |
The Washington Heritage Trail can serve as a weekend or multi-day trip. It centers around five 18th Century towns in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle that remain the center of life today. On this tour, you can experience history with all the culture and pleasure of the 21st Century.
Day 1
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Start: Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Start at the easternmost edge of Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. Explore many of the interpretive themes found in Harpers Ferry, a town of many small museums restored to its 19th Century heyday of 1859. You'll find exhibits, restored structures, costumed guides, and living history activities related to John Brown, the Civil War, African-American heritage, early industrial development, and transportation. It's also a great spot for scenic walks.
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Stop 1: Charles Town, WV
Directions from previous place: Head west on the byway, Route 340, until you reach Charles Town.
Distance from Previous Site: 7 miles / 11.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 14 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Park your car and walk the streets of Charles Town, which were laid out by Charles Washington, George Washington's brother, in 1786. If you look at the names of the streets, you'll see that they're named after members of the Washington family. Include a graveyard with more than 50 Washingtons and Happy Retreat, Charles Washington's home, in your explorations.
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Stop 2: Shepherdstown, WV
Directions from previous place: Take Route 340/Washington St. east for about 3 miles then turn left onto Route 17/Flowing Spring Rd, which merges into Route 230. Turn right onto Princess St, and after 0.1 miles, you'll end on German St. in Shepherdstown.
Distance from Previous Site: 12.18 miles / 19.5 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 22 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Visit the oldest incorporated town in West Virginia, and learn about steamboat inventor James Rumsey. Stroll the intact 19th Century main street filled with quaint shops and fine dining.
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Stop 3: Martinsburg, WV
Directions from previous place: Take German St./WV-45 west for 8.1 miles, turn left onto N Queen St and follow the road for 0.9 miles before ending in Martinsburg.
Distance from Previous Site: 10 miles / 16.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 21 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour 30 minutes In the town of Martinsburg, explore streets of historic homes including the General Adams Stephen House, named for the city's founder who was sometimes a Washington rival. Stop by the Belle Boyd House, home of Confederate spy Bell Boyd, and explore labor history in the B&O RR Roundhouse.
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Stop 4: Hedgesville, WV
Directions from previous place: Head out going north on S. Queen St toward E. King St. Drive for 0.1 miles before making a left turn onto W. King St. Continue to follow the road for 1.4 miles before merging onto I-81 N toward Hagerstown. After 2.8 miles, merge onto WV-9 via exit 16W toward Berkeley Springs. Follow WV9 west to Hedgesville.
Distance from Previous Site: 9.4 miles / 15.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 17 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 10 minutes As you drive by, take a look at the privately owned Mt. Zion Episcopal Church. Built in 1818, it predates the town.
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Stop 5: Snodgrass Tavern
Directions from previous place: Take SR-9 1.4 miles west of Hedgesville and you will come across the Snodgrass Tavern on the north side of the byway.
Distance from Previous Site: 1.4 miles / 2.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 5 minutes Take a photo opportunity at one of the oldest known houses in Berkeley County; the Snodgrass Tavern, which is no longer open to the public, provided food and lodging for travelers until 1847, with its most famous guest being George Washington.
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Overnight Point: Berkeley Springs, WV
Directions from previous place: Continue on WV-9 west for 17.5 miles until it intersects with US-522/Washington St. Turn right heading north for two blocks and find yourself in the heart of town.
Distance from Previous Site: 18.11 miles / 29.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 36 minutes Established in 1776 as Bath, the town is known today by its post office name, Berkeley Springs. Spend the remaining hours of the day on a walking tour of town. Explore charming shops, fine dining, relaxing spas, and the noted art scene. George Washington lots are across from the Visitors Center one block from the center square on Fairfax St. When you find yourself nodding off, sleep at one of several overnight accommodations.
Total Distance Traveled in Day 1: 58.09 miles / 92.9 km
Day 2
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Stop 1: Berkeley Springs State Park
Directions from previous place: Berkeley Springs State Park is the village green in the heart of town. It is at the intersection of Washington St. (US-522) and Fairfax St., within walking distance of downtown Berkeley Springs.
Distance from Previous Site: 0.5 miles / 0.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 minute Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Wake up refreshed and walk to the place George Washington and generations of visitors, notorious and obscure, have come to enjoy -- the warm mineral waters located in the park. Visit George Washington's Bathtub, enjoy the 19th Century Roman Baths, or visit the Museum of the Berkeley Springs to learn the history of the waters.
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Stop 2: Panorama Overlook
Directions from previous place: Follow US-522/Washington St. three blocks north from the park and turn left on WV-9. Drive 3 miles to reach the Panorama Overlook
Distance from Previous Site: 3 miles / 4.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 15 minutes Pull over and take in one of George Washington's favorite West Virginia views.
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Stop 3: Capacon State Park
Directions from previous place: Return to town and go south on US-522 for 9.4 miles, then turn right into Cacapon State Park.
Distance from Previous Site: 9.8 miles / 15.7 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 13 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours Built on the eastern slope of Capacon Mountain by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933, Capacon State Park offers a day of hiking, fishing, boating, golfing, or stays in the lodge or cabins. George Washington and other 18th Century visitors liked to ride horses along the top of Cacapon Mountain. Today's travelers, too, can travel the trail on foot or horseback.
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Stop 4: Gerrardstown Historic District
Directions from previous place: From the Cacapon State Park entrance, turn right and head south on US-522/Valley Rd. After 2.8 miles, turn left onto CR-38/Fish Hatchery Rd. Drive for 2 miles and then make a right onto Timber Ridge Rd. Turn left after 0.4 miles onto Unger Store Rd., which becomes Winchester Grade Rd. Route 13. Turn right onto Shanghai Rd., which passes through Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area, and becomes Hampshire Grade Rd. Follow the road to the intersection of WV-51 and 45 -- and see the view from Mills Gap. Then continue on WV-51 east to Gerrardstown.
Distance from Previous Site: 23.42 miles / 37.5 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 43 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 45 minutes Visit the Hay-Gerrard House, built in 1743 and still standing today. One interesting feature is something called an "Indian Closet", where occupants were able to hide from attacks.
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Stop 5: Harewood
Directions from previous place: Head northeast on CR-51 and drive for 0.1 miles before making a right onto WV-51. Drive for 3.3 miles and then make another right onto US-11. Turn left onto WV-51 after 0.2 miles and continue along that road for 8.2 miles to end at Harewood.
Distance from Previous Site: 12 miles / 19.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 24 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 5 minutes Although it's not open to the public, you can still take an admiring look at the only Washington home still owned and occupied by a Washington descendant.
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Stop 6: Middleway Historic District
Directions from previous place: Go west on WV-51 toward CR-51, drive for 2.9 miles before making a left turn onto CR-1. After 0.5 miles, turn left onto CR-1 and end at Middleway after 0.1 miles.
Distance from Previous Site: 3.71 miles / 5.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 8 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Take a break from driving and walk this historic settlement, famous for the Legend of Wizard Clip, a series of supernatural happenings in the 1790s. More than 49 historic structures grace the district.
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End: Claymont Court
Directions from previous place: Start out by going south on CR-1; drive for 4.6 miles before making a sharp left onto Summit Point Pike. After 2.4 miles, turn right onto CR-13, then make a left onto Claymont St, ending at Claymont Court.
Distance from Previous Site: 8 miles / 12.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 16 minutes Visit the only Washington house still open to the public. Claymont Court was built by Corbin Washington, the grandson of George Washington's brother. Walk around the area's gardens to end your tour.
