Martinsburg: Railroad History and Historic Houses

In Martinsburg, the city’s history and architecture come together in historic houses, the streetscape, and several museums. The city also has reminders of its railroad history and trails with different connections. When planning a stay, you can decide what to focus on based on whether you are especially interested in architecture, local collections, or railroad and trail history.

Historic Houses, Architecture, and Railroads

The General Adam Stephen House is a historic residence in Martinsburg, Berkeley County. The Adam Stephen House is also a fine example of Colonial stone architecture: it was built from local limestone in the late 1770s to early 1780s. Its construction period and materials give the house a specific place in the city’s architectural history.

The Downtown Martinsburg Historic District is a larger collection of historic buildings. It includes the main commercial and professional areas along Queen Street and King Street, as well as adjacent residential areas. The district contains about 281 contributing buildings. Their architecture reflects 19th-century styles, including Gothic Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne. If you are interested in architectural history, these three styles can help guide your view of the historic buildings.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Martinsburg Shops are also part of the area’s industrial history. They are among the few surviving examples of innovative 19th-century engineering and industrial architecture. They add a technical and industrial perspective to the history of Martinsburg.

Museums with Different Areas of Focus

The permanent exhibitions at the Berkeley County Museum cover topics ranging from industry, fashion, and the military to African American history, Belle Boyd and her family, and the Jewish community. The museum’s range of topics makes it interesting to visitors who want to explore different aspects of the county’s history.

The Belle Boyd House at 126 East Race Street was Belle Boyd’s childhood home and is now a museum. It serves as the Berkeley County historical museum and also houses the county’s visitor center. There, you can pick up maps and guides for a walking tour of downtown. The Triple Brick Museum, built in 1874, houses artifacts and memorabilia from historic Martinsburg. These include surveying equipment, spinning wheels, quilts, and railroad artifacts. The collections cover a range of subjects, from everyday objects and crafts to memorabilia from the history of railroads.

The For the Kids, by George Children's Museum is located in the Historic Caperton Train Station. The station is between Martin Street and Race Street and serves as an Amtrak stop. If you plan to travel by train, check the current Amtrak schedule.

Putting Railroad and Trail History in Context

The WV Route 9 Bike Path runs from Martinsburg to Ranson in Jefferson County. The first section of the Frog Hollow Trail is open to visitors. The trail is intended to connect downtown Martinsburg with the existing Route 9 Trail. Check the trail’s current status before planning a trip.

The history of the Frog Hollow Rail Spur includes a railroad connection built in the 1880s. It ran from the Martinsburg Train Station/Roundhouse Complex to the Standard Lime and Stone Company, south of Martinsburg. This historic connection adds a perspective on the railroad’s former industrial use to the story of today’s trails.

The places and topics described offer different ways to plan your stay: the Historic District and Adam Stephen House represent architecture; the museums, collections and local history; and the Railroad Shops and Frog Hollow Rail Spur, engineering and industrial history. You can choose what to explore in Martinsburg based on what interests you most during your trip.

Discover more destinations: Inwood, Falling Waters.

View the broader travel guide: Berkeley County.