Seven miles north of Martinsburg, in Skinner's Gap on North Mountain, is the historic town of Hedgesville. Named for the Hedges family, the town is a National Register Historic District with a number of antebellum historic structures still lining the main streets. An abundant spring drew the first settlers to this area, and today, that same spring serves as the town spring and is marked by a protective structure. Reportedly, the spring is never affected by drought, and the water is a persistent 57 degrees.
With a current population of 240 residents according to the 2000 census, Hedgesville, was laid out in 1832 along the old Warm Springs Road (now old West Virginia Route 9). The streets are lined with shops, antique stores and restaurants. This town is a pleasant stop on the way to Berkeley Springs, WV or to Martinsburg.
George Washington, while a young man, visited Hedgesville and worshipped at the site of what is now Mt. Zion Episcopal Church, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Former President George W. Bush made a re-election campaign stop on August 17, 2004 at Hedgesville High School, addressing a crowd of thousands.
Across from the high school, just off Route 9, is the Dillon Farm Museum. Featuring antique horse-drawn farm machinery and educational exhibits, the museum is open on weekends from April through October and hosts heritage celebrations in the spring and fall.
Further up the road is The Woods Resort. Vacationers and locals can enjoy a round of golf on the 18-hole championship Mountain View Course or play the Stony Lick mid-level course. Visitors can relax in the full service Sleepy Creek Spa that features a long list of amenities and treatments. The resort hosts conferences and special events and has a variety of accommodation options from the Meadow or Pinecrest Cottages to the Evergreen and Walden Lodges.
Hedgesville offers close proximity to the city with untouched mountain views and serene sunsets guaranteed to make visitors forget about everyday life.
COMMUTER INFORMATION
The Eastern Panhandle is known for attracting many commuters because of significant difference in cost of living compared to the surrounding tri-state region, as well as ease of access to commuter routes via train or car.
From Hedgesville minutes/miles by car:
25 minutes to Hagerstown, MD
30 minutes to Winchester, VA
45 minutes to Frederick, MD
60 minutes to Leesburg, VA
90 miles to Baltimore, MD
85 miles to Washington, DC
TRAIN SERVICES
Berkeley County, WV is served by
Amtrak Train Service and
MARC Commuter Train Service at the Martinsburg Station (MRB), which offers direct connections to Union Station, Washington DC and Rockville, MD. Amtrak and MARC also offer connections via Union Station to Penn Station, Baltimore MD and BWI Airport, as well as many others.
The MARC Train, whose service areas include Harford County, Maryland; Baltimore City; Washington D.C.; Brunswick, Maryland; Frederick, Maryland and Martinsburg, West Virginia, can be accessed at three park & ride locations in the Eastern Panhandle: Martinsburg Station, Harpers Ferry Station, and Duffields Station in Shenandoah Junction, WV. For a schedule and fare information, visit
www.amtrak.com and
http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/.
AIRPORTS
