Apple orchards and housing development in historic Gerrardstown
Gerrardstown is a rural community in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle that rolls along the fertile foothills of North Mountain. Apple trees have deep roots in this agricultural area on small family plots and at larger operations like the Appalachian Orchard Company’s Gerrardstown Orchard. As is the case for much of southern Berkeley County, the growth of new home subdivisions is starting to keep pace with the trees. Still, Gerrardstown’s distance from major cities and proximity to the Appalachian Mountains' wide-open wilderness have helped it remain an enclave of classic country living just outside the Interstate 81 corridor. “Most people are buying in the area because they already live here and are looking to upgrade. Or because they’re just looking for a couple of acres in Berkeley County,” says Joe Sturm, a broker with Real Property Solutions who specializes in the Eastern Panhandle.
Single-family homes in remote countryside and new subdivisions
Sloping along Gerrardstown’s country roads and forested developments, single-family homes run the gamut from classic ranch-styles to cabins in rustic and contemporary styles. Move-in-ready homes on an acre or 2 of land usually sell for around $180,000 to $530,000, as do the historic homes near Gerrardstown’s village center. Custom-built homes on larger, remote acreages sell for around $690,000 to $1.2 million, depending on square footage and whether the property is 10 acres or many times that in size. Large plots of land have been developed into subdivisions of single-family homes from the early 2000s through the 2020s. “The area has continued to grow exponentially because of its proximity to northern Virginia. That stretches from Jefferson County to Berkeley County,” Sturm says. Prices for these New Traditional homes range from around $370,000 to $520,000.
Preserves, parks and mountainous recreation nearby
Within Gerrardstown, residents often explore creeks and get outside on their properties. Boaters and anglers can access Back Creek from the launch under Shanghai Bridge. Public recreation destinations fill the foothills and mountains for miles around the community. Stauffer’s Marsh Nature Preserve is a restored wetland habitat popular with migrating waterfowl and visitors looking to walk along tranquil nature trails. Poor House Farm Park is about 9 miles away, a major Berkeley County park with a 27-hole disc golf course, mountain biking trails and a stocked fishing pond. Past North Mountain, residents have a roughly 15-mile drive to Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area. Kayakers and anglers head to its namesake lake, while deer and turkey hunters stalk through the forest and fields.
Attending Berkeley County Schools
Multiple Berkeley County Schools pipelines serve the area. Kids might attend prekindergarten through second grade at Gerrardstown Elementary School, which earns a B-minus from Niche, before attending third through fifth grades at C-plus-rated Mountain Ridge Intermediate School. Mountain Ridge Middle School earns a C and Musselman High School scores a B. At Musselman High, students can take dual enrollment courses through institutions like Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.
Businesses in the Gerrardstown Historic District and nearby groceries
The Gerrardstown Historic District fills the junction of Gerrardstown Road and Dominion Road with the architecture of another age. Gerrardstown Presbyterian Church is one of several small, historic congregations in the area and has been active since the late 1700s. Beyond regular services, they also host free drive-thru community dinners each month. Commercial life is sparse, but residents can browse the convenience store shelves before ordering a hoagie at Tracy’s Corner Grocery & Donnie’s Homestyle Kitchen. Vintage army gear and uniforms fill the shelves at All American Surplus & Supply. Dollar General Market stocks groceries on Apple Harvest Drive. Food Lion is about 4 miles away in Inwood’s busier commercial district.
Berkeley County hubs and taking I-81 out of state
The Berkeley County seat of Martinsburg is about 12 miles from home on Interstate 81. Martinsburg is home to the nearest hospital, WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center. Winchester is about 15 miles in the opposite direction. Washington is about 90 miles from home. While longer-distance commuters might try to beat some traffic by finding park-and-rides in places like Martinsburg, they’ll still need a car to get around. Washington Dulles International Airport is nearly 70 miles away.
Shooting at North Mountain Paintball
The teams that play at North Mountain Paintball fire at opponents hiding on an outdoor field filled with bunkers, backed by the business’s namesake mountain. Dedicated competitors pay to enter Streetball Tournaments, striving to win trophies. The range also schedules Free Play Days, welcoming people to bring their gear and get to shooting.
Flood risk on Mill Creek
Waterways like Mill Creek may flood low-lying homes and roads after unusually heavy rain. Buyers can check maps to understand their potential risk and need for flood insurance.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
