Charles Town offers history and growth near bigger cities
Founded by George Washington’s brother, Charles, in 1786, Charles Town is a small West Virginia city that embraces its history while it grows with new housing developments. “People migrate here from bordering areas like Loudoun County and Frederick County because of the quality of life,” says Kimberly Teska, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Premier who’s sold homes here for 10 years. “The taxes are lower — you can buy more of a house for less money. There's a sense of community here, and it’s a little slower paced.” As part of West Virginia’s eastern panhandle that borders Maryland and Virginia, residents here are close to cities like Harpers Ferry, Winchester, Martinsburg and Frederick; Washington is within a two-hour drive. “People think they’re going to move here because it's wild West Virginia, and it’s not. We’re part of the Washington metropolitan area,” Teska says. Charles Town’s downtown is anchored by the Charles Town Courthouse, famous as the location of abolitionist John Brown’s trial. Nearby, Harpers Ferry has more historical sites but is popular among residents for its outdoor recreation.
A variety of turn-of-the-century homes and new builds
Charles Town has a downtown area, suburban subdivisions and farmland that stretches to the Virginia border. Home styles range widely and include turn-of-the-century houses in town, multi-acre farms, colonial-inspired New Traditional houses and new construction builds. “I’ve found this past year that people have been seeking out a place where they can have gardens and chickens. That’s the thing right now — people want chickens,” Teska says. “But if you buy a house in a subdivision, many of them preclude you from being able to have poultry.” The median sale price for a single-family home is around $430,000, slightly higher than the national median of $420,000. Townhouses are also available, with a median sale price of $310,000. Some homes — particularly in rural areas near the Potomac River — are at risk of flooding; homeowners here should check flood maps to assess their risk.
Local stores and popular eateries downtown
Downtown Charles Town spans several scenic blocks of Washington and Liberty Streets, which are lined with turn-of-the-century storefronts. Here, Jefferson County administrative buildings and the historic Charles Town Courthouse sit near locally owned stores like Fuzzy Dog Books & Music, Pour Choices wine store and Needful Things Emporium. Ortega’s Taco Shop is a popular casual eatery that uses locally sourced ingredients. Paddy’s serves Irish fare in The Tiffin House, which was built in the 1780s. Some of the area is designated as the Hip Sips District, where people can walk around outside with to-go beverages from Abolitionist Ale Works. The Charles Town Farmers Market sells local produce downtown each Saturday from April through October. Grocery stores include Save A Lot, Food Lion and Martin’s.
Popular events bring people downtown
Charles Town hosts several events throughout the year. On the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, Washington Street is closed for the annual Charles Town Car Show, where cars from all eras are on display. In June, WV Fest spans several blocks downtown, featuring over 100 vendors, food trucks and kids’ games.
Charles Town’s public schools earn Bs
Kids can start school at Page Elementary, which teaches pre-kindergarten through second grade and earns a B-minus from Niche. They then go to the B-rated Wright Denny Intermediate for third through fifth grades and the B-minus-rated Charles Town Middle for sixth through eighth grades. At the B-rated Washington High, students can take dual-enrollment courses through Shepherd University and earn college credit.
From birdwatching to blackjack, there’s plenty to do nearby
Charles Town has five parks, including the nearly 12-acre Jefferson Memorial Park, which has tennis courts, playgrounds and a public swimming pool. The over 70-acre Cool Spring Nature Preserve is known for birdwatching. The public Locust Hill Golf Course offers lessons and league play. The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is a big attraction for its horse racing, table games and concerts. Teska says many head to Harpers Ferry for kayaking and white-water rafting in the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Just across the river from Harpers Ferry is the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park towpath, a popular hiking spot that’s part of the Appalachian Trail.
Getting around the region by car, bus and train
U.S. Route 340 is one of the area’s main thoroughfares, leading 7 miles to Harpers Ferry. State Route 9 leads 15 miles to Martinsburg. Winchester is about 23 miles away, and Washington, D.C. is a roughly 64-mile drive. Commuters can also take the Maryland Area Rail Commuter train from Harpers Ferry to D.C., a trip that takes roughly an hour and a half. The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority has bus routes throughout the Martinsburg region, including one that stops in front of Charles Town Courthouse. Sidewalks are present downtown and in some subdivisions. Houses of worship include Charles Town Presbyterian Church and St. James the Greater Catholic Church. Jefferson Medical Center is about a mile away from downtown. Dulles International Airport is a 38-mile trip.
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Written By
Annie Franklin
