Maurertown: a Shenandoah Valley community between the mountains and the water
In Maurertown, the Appalachian Mountains rise to the west, and the North Fork Shenandoah River winds to the east. Farmhouses, new builds and vacation homes often come with views of one — and sometimes both. The natural scenery is one of the biggest draws to Maurertown, an unincorporated community between the towns of Strasburg and Woodstock. Some new homes have been built in recent years, but Maurertown remains a rural area where people go for an undeveloped landscape that maintains direct access to Interstate 81, which stretches across western Virginia.
Homes with mountain views and riverside lots available
Houses are concentrated near U.S. Route 11, with split-level homes and ranches in small subdivisions. A few homes are under construction on Lilleigh Court, part of one of Maurertown’s newer developments. “That development has real nice lots with views of the mountains from either side,” says Brian Doman, a Realtor at Preslee Real Estate who sells homes in Maurertown. To the east, cabins and A-frame homes back up to the North Fork Shenandoah River. Some buyers convert those properties to vacation rentals, while others use them as weekend getaways, Doman says. “When those properties back there come up [for sale], they don’t last long, especially if you’ve got river frontage.” West of Route 11, farms and ranch homes sit on open lots. Farther west, acres of forests surround houses built into the mountains near the West Virginia state line. Prices typically vary from $245,000 to $500,000, but some new builds and homes on more than 5 acres cost between $600,000 and $800,000.
Educational trust funds projects at Shenandoah County Public Schools
Children may attend one of three public schools grouped together about 5 miles south of Maurertown in Woodstock. Younger kids can go to W.W. Robinson Elementary School, graded a C-plus by Niche, while older students can take classes at C-rated Peter Muhlenberg Middle School and Central High School, scored a C-plus. Select schools in the district are selected every year to receive money from the Moore Educational Trust, created after the death of area resident Helen Moore and funded by her multimillion-dollar estate. Grants from the trust financed the renovation of Central High’s library and enabled W.W. Robinson Elementary to add a photography class.
Playing sports in town, hiking near the West Virginia state line
In 1864, Union and Confederate cavalry troops fought the Battle of Tom’s Brook on land that’s now Shenandoah County Park, but historical markers are the only remnants of the Civil War clash. Today, softball fields, a playground and tennis and basketball courts cover the area. A mile-long walking trail loops around the park and leads to three disc golf courses. Farther west, the landscape transitions from farmland to mountains straddling the Virginia-West Virginia state line. Hikers can park and climb a rocky trail 3 miles to Kepler Overlook to take in views of the valley below.
Locally made whiskey and wine, with retail in nearby Woodstock
The center of Maurertown only has a handful of businesses, including Brother’s Pizza and Subs and Filibuster, a distillery that offers tours and tastings. Among the farmland west of Interstate 81, vineyards surround the tasting room at North Mountain Winery. The German-themed winery has timber-framed architecture and Bavarian-inspired wine, and it hosts live music on occasional Saturdays. Walmart, Food Lion and department stores fill shopping centers in Woodstock.
Two highways connect to Strasburg, Winchester
Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11 pass through Maurertown, and they continue 8 miles north to Strasburg and 25 miles north to Winchester. The latter is home to ValleyHealth Winchester Medical Center. Hundreds of flights take off daily from Washington Dulles International Airport, about 75 miles east.
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
