Martinsburg | USA West Virginia

Martinsburg, set in the fertile Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, is a city shaped by its crossroads geography-part Appalachian heartland, part gateway to the Mid-Atlantic. As the largest city in the Eastern Panhandle and the hub of Berkeley County, Martinsburg blends Civil War heritage, early industrial innovation, and a growing modern identity tied to Washington, D.C.’s extended commuter belt. Its streets carry echoes of steam engines, brick factories, and the easy rhythm of a small city rediscovering its place in a fast-changing region.

Setting and Geography

Martinsburg lies about 80 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., and 25 miles south of Hagerstown, Maryland, in a low, fertile valley between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Plateau. The Opequon Creek runs nearby, feeding farms and woodlands that have supported settlers since colonial times. The downtown core spreads around Queen and King Streets, lined with red-brick buildings, historic storefronts, and the faint echo of trains passing along the B&O Railroad line that still cuts through the city.

Because of its strategic location, Martinsburg has long served as a transportation and commercial hub-a place where the Shenandoah Valley meets the Mid-Atlantic corridor. Its proximity to interstates and railways has helped it evolve from a 19th-century rail town into a modern small city with easy access to both Baltimore and Washington.

Historical Background

Martinsburg’s story begins in 1778, when General Adam Stephen, a Revolutionary War officer and associate of George Washington, founded the town. Stephen envisioned it as a prosperous mill and trade center, taking advantage of its position along key frontier routes. Early settlers were largely Scots-Irish and German farmers who cultivated the rich soil of the Shenandoah Valley.

By the early 19th century, Martinsburg was thriving as a center of agriculture and industry. The arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) in 1842 transformed it into one of the most important rail towns in the region. The massive B&O Roundhouse Complex, with its brick repair shops and circular engine houses, became the city’s industrial heartbeat.

During the Civil War, Martinsburg’s strategic importance made it a site of repeated conflict. Both Union and Confederate forces occupied the city multiple times, and the B&O facilities were destroyed and rebuilt repeatedly. The city’s residents found themselves divided in allegiance, though the majority of Berkeley County ultimately sided with Virginia’s secession before being annexed into the newly formed state of West Virginia in 1863.

Following the war, Martinsburg rebuilt swiftly. The railroad industry flourished again, and by the late 19th century, the city was home to textile mills, glass factories, and tanneries. Its population grew rapidly, supported by waves of workers drawn to the opportunities along the rail line.

Architecture and Historic Landmarks

Martinsburg’s historic core remains one of the best preserved in the region. Its buildings tell the story of nearly 250 years of growth.

B&O Railroad Roundhouse and Shops: The city’s crown jewel, this complex of 19th-century rail buildings is one of the last remaining examples of a fully intact roundhouse system in the country. It includes two massive circular engine houses, a machine shop, and the site of several key Civil War incidents. Restoration efforts have turned it into a heritage attraction and event venue.

Berkeley County Courthouse: A stately neoclassical structure dating to 1856, standing at the center of downtown with its clock tower visible from several blocks away.

Belle Boyd House: The home of Isabella “Belle” Boyd, a Confederate spy known as the “Cleopatra of the Confederacy.” Today, it serves as a museum chronicling her life and local Civil War history.

Adam Stephen House: The limestone home of the city’s founder, built in the 1780s, preserved as a museum and archaeological site.

Downtown Historic District: A network of 19th- and early 20th-century storefronts, churches, and row houses, with architectural styles ranging from Federal and Italianate to Art Deco.

The combination of red-brick industry and refined civic architecture gives downtown Martinsburg a distinctive historical character, particularly when the late afternoon sun hits the rooftops and old painted signs.

Economy and Industry

Historically fueled by railroads and manufacturing, Martinsburg has transitioned toward a diversified service economy centered on government, healthcare, retail, and logistics. The decline of heavy industry in the mid-20th century was offset by its emergence as a commuter city for Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.

Major employers today include Procter & Gamble, which operates a large manufacturing facility nearby, and the U.S. Coast Guard Operations Systems Center, one of the city’s key federal presences. Healthcare services, led by WV University Medicine Berkeley Medical Center, form another major economic pillar.

The city’s proximity to I-81 and Amtrak’s Capitol Limited line gives it excellent transportation connections. Each morning, commuters board trains bound for Washington or Martinsburg’s twin urban center-Hagerstown, just across the Maryland border.

Culture and Community

Culturally, Martinsburg blends the charm of a small Appalachian town with the cosmopolitan influence of its D.C. corridor neighbors. Its residents are proud of their heritage and civic revival. The downtown area has seen ongoing revitalization, with restored façades, new cafés, and independent shops reclaiming historic spaces.

Cultural highlights include:

The Apollo Civic Theatre – a 1913 playhouse that still hosts local productions, concerts, and film screenings beneath its ornate proscenium arch.

Roundhouse Rail Days Festival – celebrating Martinsburg’s railroad history each June with steam train displays, guided tours, and period reenactments.

Main Street Martinsburg Events – from holiday parades to food festivals, these community gatherings fill the city center with color and sound.

Eastern Panhandle Blues & Jazz Festival – a lively event that brings regional musicians and food vendors downtown each summer.

Local food culture leans toward comfort and authenticity: diners, barbecue spots, and cafés that serve hearty meals with a hint of Southern influence. Family-run establishments like Boyd’s Steakhouse or Blue White Grill have become city staples.

Parks and Outdoor Life

Martinsburg’s setting offers abundant outdoor recreation within a short drive.

War Memorial Park, near downtown, features walking trails, picnic areas, and community swimming pools surrounded by old shade trees.

Poor House Farm Park offers a pastoral landscape with fishing ponds, hiking trails, and open meadows-perfect for quiet walks or weekend gatherings.

Just outside the city, Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area spreads across thousands of wooded acres, with campgrounds, mountain trails, and serene lakes.

The Appalachian Trail and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park are within 30 minutes, making Martinsburg a convenient base for exploring the Shenandoah foothills and Potomac River valley.

Neighborhoods and Character

Martinsburg’s neighborhoods reveal its layered past:

Downtown Core – anchored by historic brick buildings and small businesses.

East Side and West End – mixed residential areas with century-old homes and community parks.

Rosemont and Opequon – more suburban, with postwar houses and newer developments for D.C.-area commuters.

Arden District – rural and scenic, dotted with farms and vineyards along country roads.

Each area carries a sense of continuity; locals often speak with pride about families who’ve lived in the same houses for generations.

Modern Martinsburg

Today, Martinsburg stands at the intersection of heritage and growth. The city is experiencing renewed investment, as its combination of affordability, access, and historical charm attracts both new residents and entrepreneurs. Old rail yards are being repurposed for cultural spaces, while downtown continues to balance preservation with modernization.

Evenings in Martinsburg feel calm but not quiet-the sound of a passing train, distant laughter from a restaurant patio, and the soft glow of restored street lamps along Queen Street. Beneath the layers of industry and history, the city retains a genuine small-town warmth. It’s a place that remembers its past vividly, yet keeps its eyes fixed on the horizon-much like the trains that have always defined its pulse.