In 1890, the Charles Town Mining, Manufacturing, and Improvement Company bought 850 acres adjoining the western and northern corporate limits of Charles Town. The largest section of land was purchased from the Ranson family, although, the town was not officially established until 1910, making it over 100 years old today. It was then named after Dr. James Ranson, a dentist and farmer living in the area.
Today, Ranson hosts a number of nationally branded companies and restaurants in its growing commerce corridor. Such companies include: Baskin Robins, Bob Evans, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin' Donuts, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Home Depot, Kohls, McDonalds, Panera Bread, Petco, The UPS Store, Weis Market and more. The Potomac Marketplace and The Boulevard at Fairfax Crossing are conveniently located on the north side of the city with access to West Virginia State Route 9. Ranson maintains 3 facilities and 6 parks for public use. The Pierson Complex and Marcus Field is a magnificent sports complex designed for football and meetings, and is operated by the local Youth Football League. The Ranson Visitor Center is located at 216 N Mildred St in Ranson, directly in front of Lance/Slusher Park.
Beautiful views and scenery abound the sunny 10.3 mile bike/walking path that follows along the new WV Route 9. Parking is conveniently located right off the Currie Road exit in Ranson or on the opposite end just before Grapevine Road before entering Martinsburg.
Since 2009, Ranson CVB in partnership with the City of Charles Town has hosted the "1st Friday Concert Series" to promote economic development through tourism by bringing visitors into the downtown district.
Vigorous new home construction by many local and national builders is taking place, as well as the revitalization of the "Old Town" district and its historic homes surrounding the WVUH-East (West Virginia University Hospitals) Jefferson Memorial Hospital.
Ranson has shifted through the years from a once thought industrial center, to a community that blends major corporations with quiet residential neighborhoods. The city has maintained is small-town charm with metropolitan-like access.
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 Ranson minutes/miles by car:
35 minutes to Frederick, MD
35 minutes to Leesburg, VA
75 miles to Baltimore, MD
60 miles to Washington, DC
TRAIN SERVICES
Jefferson County, WV is served by
Amtrak Train Service and
MARC Commuter Train Service at the Harpers Ferry Station (HFY)
, 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
